Product Design Engineering Manager – Heavy Haul Trailers

Ilocatum; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15% bonus

Job summary

Ilocatum is seeking a Product Design Engineering Manager for heavy haul trailers in Waterloo, IA. This on-site role leads a team of design engineers, owning architectures and design intent while prioritizing work to support production and field feedback.

Requirements include a Mechanical Engineering degree and experience with heavy trailers, strong mechanical and manufacturing knowledge, CAD proficiency, and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience with heavy haul trailers, heavy equipment, or fabricated mobile equipment.
• Strong background in mechanical systems, structures, hydraulics, and manufacturing.
• Proven experience supporting products in production.
• Root cause analysis skills.
• Proficiency with CAD tools, Excel, and engineering data systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop 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 engineering work based on production needs, cost reduction, and field feedback.
• Lead sustaining engineering and platform evolution.
• Resolve design, quality, and manufacturability issues quickly.
• Improve weldment, fabrication, and assembly methods with Manufacturing Engineering.
• Improve BOM accuracy, drawings, and release quality.
• Lead design reviews and oversee ECN/ECO execution.
• Ensure compliance with FMVSS and DOT standards.
• Use DFMEA, warranty data, and field feedback to improve reliability.
• Drive design for manufacturing, design to cost, and product standardization.

Skills

Mechanical systems

Structures

Hydraulics

Manufacturing processes

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD tools

Excel

Engineering data systems

Job description

Product Design Engineering Manager – Heavy Haul Trailers

Location: Waterloo, IA (On-site)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000 to $90,000 per year, plus 15% bonus

Lead a team of design engineers owning the platforms behind heavy haul trailers, keeping production moving and products getting better every year.

Must-Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 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
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills
• Proficiency with CAD tools, Excel, and engineering data systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

What You’ll Do

• Lead and develop 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 engineering work based on production needs, cost reduction, and field feedback
• Lead sustaining engineering and platform evolution
• Resolve design, quality, and manufacturability issues quickly
• Improve weldment, fabrication, and assembly methods with Manufacturing Engineering
• Improve BOM accuracy, drawings, and release quality
• Lead design reviews and oversee ECN/ECO execution
• Ensure compliance with FMVSS and DOT standards
• Use DFMEA, warranty data, and field feedback to improve reliability
• Drive design for manufacturing, design to cost, and product standardization

Nice-to-Haves

• Engineering leadership or supervisory experience
• Experience developing standard, pre-engineered product offerings
• Warranty and field support experience

Compensation and Benefits

• $80,000 to $90,000 per year
• 15% bonus

About the Company

Our client is an established manufacturer of heavy haul trailers serving demanding customers across the transportation and construction industries.