Mechanical Design Engineering Manager

Ethos; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental &amp

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary &

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & P/

Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)

Short Term & Long Term Disability

Training & Development

Job summary

Ethos in Waterloo, IA invites a Mechanical Design Engineering Manager to lead a team that sustains and improves heavy haul trailer platforms, ensuring designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and scalable.

You will own product architectures, drive design reviews, manage ECN/ECO execution, mentor engineers, and coordinate with Manufacturing, Warranty, and Customer Service to meet production schedules and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience with heavy haul trailers or fabricated mobile equipment.
• Strong background in mechanical systems, structures, hydraulics, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience in production environments and resolving design issues.
• Proven problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of product design engineers supporting production and in-market products
• Own product architectures, standards, and design intent across heavy haul trailer platforms
• Prioritize and assign engineering work based on production needs, product improvements, cost-reduction initiatives, and field feedback
• Serve as engineering owner for sustaining engineering, product changes, and platform evolution (non-NPD)
• Ensure engineering support for production, including rapid resolution of design, quality, and manufacturability issues
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Production to: Improve weldment, fabrication, and assembly methods; Improve BOM accuracy, drawings, and release quality
• Lead and participate in structured design reviews and approve engineering changes
• Oversee ECN/ECO execution to ensure timely, accurate, and well‑documented product changes
• Ensure compliance with FMVSS, DOT, and internal engineering and quality standards
• Apply DFMEA, lessons learned, warranty data, and field feedback to improve durability, safety, and product reliability
• Drive design‑for‑manufacturing, design‑to‑cost, and continuous improvement initiatives

Skills

Mechanical design

Strong problem solving

Excellent communication

Cost-performance balance

Manufacturing processes knowledge

Leadership and people management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CAD tools

Excel

Job description

Mechanical Design Engineering Manager

The Mechanical Design Engineering Manager is responsible for leading a team that manages a defined portion of standard product offerings to support the production schedule.

This role focuses on ownership, standardization, continuous improvement, and lifecycle support of existing product platforms, while ensuring designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, compliant, and scalable.

The role works closely with other Sr. Engineering Managers leading sub-teams within the department to ensure alignment, consistency, and effective execution across the product portfolio, while supporting Manufacturing, Warranty, and Customer Service functions, and occasionally Sales.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of product design engineers supporting production and in-market products
• Own product architectures, standards, and design intent across heavy haul trailer platforms
• Prioritize and assign engineering work based on production needs, product improvements, cost-reduction initiatives, and field feedback
• Serve as engineering owner for sustaining engineering, product changes, and platform evolution (non-NPD)
• Ensure engineering support for production, including rapid resolution of design, quality, and manufacturability issues
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Production to:
  • Improve weldment, fabrication, and assembly methods
  • Improve BOM accuracy, drawings, and release quality
• Lead and participate in structured design reviews and approve engineering changes
• Oversee ECN/ECO execution to ensure timely, accurate, and well‑documented product changes
• Ensure compliance with FMVSS, DOT, and internal engineering and quality standards
• Apply DFMEA, lessons learned, warranty data, and field feedback to improve durability, safety, and product reliability
• Drive design‑for‑manufacturing, design‑to‑cost, and continuous improvement initiatives

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
• Experience in heavy haul trailers, heavy equipment, or fabricated mobile equipment
• Strong background in mechanical systems, structures, hydraulics, and manufacturing processes
• Proven experience supporting products in production environments
• Practical, hands‑on engineering judgment
• Strong problem‑solving and root‑cause analysis skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to balance cost, performance, manufacturability, and reliability
• Proficiency with CAD tools, Excel, and engineering data systems

Benefits:

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development