Product Design Engineering Manager

Keystone Distinction Group; Waterloo (IA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Distinction Group is seeking a Product Design Engineering Manager in Waterloo, IA. You will lead a team responsible for standard product platforms, ensuring designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and compliant, while collaborating with manufacturing, warranty, and customer service functions on site.

The role blends leadership with hands‑on technical oversight and ongoing engineering improvements to sustain product platforms and evolve platform offerings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience with 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.

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.
• Support sales, service, and operations by providing clear engineering guidance and technical explanations.
• Maintain and improve engineering documentation, databases, and design tools.
• Assist with development and implementation of standard, pre‑engineered product offerings to reduce custom engineering resource demands and improve schedule execution.

Skills

Problem-solving

Root-cause analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline

Tools

CAD tools

Excel

engineering data systems

Job description

Job Title: Product Design Engineering Manager

Location: Waterloo, Iowa

Salary: $80-90K plus 15% bonus

Job Summary: The Product 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, & lifecycle support of existing product platforms, while ensuring designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, compliant, & 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, & Customer Service functions, and occasionally Sales. This position is expected to manage and develop people while remaining highly tactical and hands‑on with regular on‑site engagement. The position blends strong people leadership with hands‑on technical oversight and close collaboration with manufacturing, sales, quality, and supply chain.

Job Duties & 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
• Support sales, service, and operations by providing clear engineering guidance and technical explanations
• Maintain and improve engineering documentation, databases, and design tools
• Assist with development and implementation of standard, pre‑engineered product offerings to reduce custom engineering resource demands and improve schedule execution

Education & Experience Requirements

• 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