Product Care Engineering Manager

CTS Corporation; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K

Paid Time Off

Holiday Pay

Employee Assistance Program

Pet Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

CTS Corporation in Albuquerque is seeking a Product Engineering Manager to lead the product engineering function, guiding piezoceramic product design, manufacturing process optimization, and cost-reduction initiatives across the lifecycle.

You will collaborate with manufacturing, quality, R&D, sales, and materials teams to meet customer specs, regulatory requirements, and performance goals while leading staff and supporting NPI and product transfers.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of piezoelectric materials and ceramic processing; DFM focus.
• Experience with product qualification and validation processes.
• Experience in manufacturing or advanced materials environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the product engineering team responsible for sustaining engineering and product performance.
• Provide technical direction and professional development for engineers and staff.
• Establish engineering priorities aligned with plant objectives and customer commitments.
• Develop and implement engineering practices, documentation standards, and procedures.
• Maintain technical ownership of piezoceramic product lines throughout their lifecycle.
• Ensure designs are optimized for manufacturability, cost, performance, and reliability.
• Lead engineering changes, product revisions, and documentation updates.
• Support product obsolescence management and material substitutions.
• Lead new product launches and customer qualification projects.

Skills

Piezoelectric materials

Ceramic processing

DFM

Failure analysis

SPC / data analysis

Product qualification/validation

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Materials Science, Ceramic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or related technical discipline

Tools

CAD tools

Engineering documentation systems

Manufacturing data analysis tools

ISO-based quality systems knowledge

Job description

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We are committed to finding smart solutions that enable an intelligent and seamless world. Our success as a world-class leader in technology has evolved from humble beginnings. In 1896, the enterprising father and son team of A.J. and George A. Briggs partnered with S.A. Buffington, a Chicago lawyer, to establish Chicago Telephone Supply Company (later to become CTS).

Today, CTS is a leading designer and manufacturer of sensors, actuators, and electronic components for suppliers and original equipment manufacturers. We have over 20 locations in 12 countries and more than 3,500 employees. Our innovative sensing, connectivity, and motion solutions offer a diverse range of products across diversified end markets including transportation, medical, aerospace and defense, and industrial. We are at the forefront of supporting innovating life-changing technology, focusing on quality to keep people safe, healthy, and happy.

Position Summary

The Product Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the product engineering function within the Albuquerque manufacturing facility. This role oversees the technical ownership of piezoceramic products throughout their lifecycle, including product design support, manufacturing process optimization, cost reduction initiatives, and product performance improvement.

The Product Engineering Manager works cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, R&D, sales, and materials teams to ensure products meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and operational performance goals. This role is also responsible for leading engineering staff and supporting new product introduction (NPI) and product transfer activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the product engineering team responsible for sustaining engineering and product performance.
• Provide technical direction, coaching, and professional development for engineers and technical staff.
• Establish engineering priorities aligned with plant objectives and customer commitments.
• Develop and implement the best product engineering practices, documentation standards, and technical procedures.
• Maintain technical ownership of piezoceramic product lines throughout their lifecycle.
• Ensure product designs are optimized for manufacturability, cost, performance, and reliability.
• Manage engineering changes, product revisions, and documentation updates.
• Support product obsolescence management and material substitutions when required.
• Lead engineering activities for new product launches and customer qualification projects.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing engineering, and quality teams to transition new products into production.
• Define manufacturing specifications, process requirements, and acceptance criteria, including but not limited to the overall batch qualification process and loading and unloading ceramics into furnaces and kilns (bisque and fire).
• Support pilot builds, validation runs, and customer qualification testing.
• Provide technical support to production teams for product-related issues.
• Investigate yield losses, product failures, and performance deviations.
• Lead root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for product-related defects.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineering to optimize processes supporting product performance.
• Serve as the primary technical contact for product-related customer inquiries and technical support.
• Support sales and customer engineering teams with product specifications and application guidance.
• Participate in customer technical reviews and product performance discussions when required.
• Identify opportunities to improve product yields, reduce scrap, and optimize material usage.
• Lead value engineering and cost reduction initiatives.
• Drive product standardization and design improvements to enhance manufacturing efficiency.
• Maintain product specifications, engineering drawings, and technical documentation.
• Ensure compliance with quality systems, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Support internal and external audits related to product engineering.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Technical skills

• Strong knowledge of:
• Piezoelectric materials and ceramic processing (preferred)
• Product design for manufacturability (DFM)
• Failure analysis and root cause investigation
• Statistical process control (SPC) and data analysis
• Product qualification and validation processes
• Experience with:
• CAD tools and engineering documentation systems
• Manufacturing data analysis tools
• Quality systems such as ISO-based environments
• Strong technical leadership and mentoring skills
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Strategic thinking and problem solving
• Ability to balance customer requirements with manufacturing capabilities
• Strong written and verbal communication

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in one of the following fields: Materials Science, Ceramic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or related technical discipline.
• 8–12 years of engineering experience in manufacturing or advanced materials.
• 3–5 years of engineering leadership or management experience.
• Experience supporting product development or sustaining engineering in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ceramics, electronic materials, sensors, actuators, or precision components is preferred.

Join Us

At CTS, one of the ways we recognize the value of our employees is through our comprehensive benefits program. Highlights of our benefits program for full-time employees include:

• 401K
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Pay
• Employee Assistance Program
• Pet Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement

United States EEO Statement

CTS Corporation is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer who complies with all applicable federal, state and local employment laws. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at CTS Corporation will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It has been and shall continue to be both the official policy and the commitment of CTS Corporation to further equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of, among other characteristics, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, status as a protected veteran or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.

United States Additional Considerations

It is unlawful in all states where the Company operates, including Massachusetts, to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates applicable laws may be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. The Company does not require a lie detector test as a condition of employment nor continued employment.

Applicants must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.

Nearest Major Market: Albuquerque
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