Engineering Manager: Product Engineering

Hendrickson; Canton (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Hendrickson is seeking a seasoned Engineering leader to direct Product and Applications Engineering for its Trailer Division. The role drives technical standards, supports VA/VE, and leads a team of engineers and designers toward excellence in design, validation, and continuous improvement.

You will collaborate with product lines, oversee engineering execution, and ensure robust design processes including PPAP and FMEA alignment with SAE/AIAG standards.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of engineering experience in automotive/heavy equipment.
• Experience in vehicle structural design, dynamics, fatigue analysis, and system design.
• Demonstrated ability to manage people, multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work deliverables.
• Strong knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes (welding, stamping, forming, etc.).
• Solid modeling experience with 3D CAD, preferably Creo.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Product and Applications Engineering functions for major product systems and components.
• Collaborate with Product Line Leaders to support technical needs of business units.
• Provide technical oversight of engineering execution and drive best practices.
• Develop engineering teams’ competence and capabilities.
• Drive innovation, problem solving, and continuous improvement in engineering processes.
• Ensure drawings/specifications meet fit, form, and function targets and drive PPAP submissions.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Eng

Tools

PTC Creo

Job description

Position Purpose

Responsible for the leadership of Product and Applications Engineering functions for all major product systems and components of the Trailer Division. Drives technical excellence standards in the design and support of products, applications, VA/VE execution, and continuous improvement. Management of direct reports consisting of professional-level engineers/designers.

Essential Functions

• Collaborate with Product Line Leaders to support the technical needs of the business units.
• Ensures that the efforts of the Product and Applications Engineers are aligned with and meeting the priorities, schedules, metrics, and work standards.
• Provide technical support and oversight of the Business Units engineering execution
• Develops the technical competence and capabilities of the engineering teams
• Drives the innovation and problem-solving processes
• Drives the creation and continuous improvement of best practices for Engineering processes
• Works with customers and production facilities to ensure new and existing products exceed expectations
• Responds to technical customer inquiries related to product specifications, performance, and application
• Manage the creation and release of drawings and design changes relative to new and existing products
• Ensures drawings and specifications meet the fit, form, and function targets of the design requirements
• Drive a robust design FMEA process in alignment with SAE & AIAG standards
• Works closely with R&D to ensure that changes are appropriately specified and validated. Approves design validations.
• Ensure engineering participation in AQP meetings. Clearly communicate design intent, product requirements, specify PPAP requirements, review and approve submissions.
• Review deviations, set appropriate controls/requirements for approval
• Work closely with internal manufacturing, purchasing, quality, and outside suppliers, to obtain the best overall solutions to design problems
• Support the development of Intellectual Property and help manage the associated legal matters
• Create and present material for Management review

Education And Training

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or similar discipline.

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years engineering experience in automotive (preferably commercial vehicles), heavy equipment, or related industry is desired.
• Experience in vehicle structural design (preferably heavy or medium duty truck) with exposure to vehicle dynamics, structural analysis, fatigue analysis, and system design preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage people, multiple tasks, and meet deadlines required.
• Ability to properly specify, organize, and prioritize work deliverables
• Self-motivated with excellent leadership skills, good organization, and planning skills.
• Strong knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes such as welding, stamping, forming, machining, casting, forging, fasteners, etc. preferred.
• Solid modeling experience using 3D modeling software, PTC Creo preferred.
• Good knowledge of dimensioning and tolerance practices per ANSI Y14.5
• Computer literacy with Windows environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Must have good people skills and be able to develop good working relationships with suppliers, customers, and throughout the Hendrickson organization.

Physical Demands

• Frequent sitting, work at computer for extended periods of time
• Moderate travel as required

Environmental Conditions

• Office setting
• Exposure to R&D and manufacturing setting

Behavioral Traits

• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize and plan work activities to efficiently meet deadlines
• Must be detail-oriented
• Ability to handle multiple assignments and complete tasks within demanding time frames with minimal supervision.
• Strong numeric, analytical, and mechanical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly, ask questions for clarification, and take initiative
• Must be able to work effectively in a team
• Strong numeric, analytical, and mechanical skills.
• This is not a comprehensive list of duties. Duties may change without notice in management’s sole discretion. Hendrickson is an at-will employer, each employee is free to resign at any time, just as Hendrickson is free to terminate employment at any time without cause or notice.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law., We offer a full complement of benefits that include medical, dental, and vision insurance; life, travel, and disability insurance; a flexible spending account; 401K plans; a pension plan; paid holidays and vacation. We also offer financial assistance programs if you decide to adopt a child or want to pursue further education. We have a comprehensive wellness program and an Employee Assistance Program, that supports individuals in the proactive management of their overall health and wellness.