Mechanical Design Engineering Manager - Platform & Mfg Lead

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

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.