Product Development Engineer

Life Line Emergency Vehicles; Sumner (IA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Life Line Emergency Vehicles in Sumner, IA is seeking a New Product Development Engineer to drive design and development of ambulance and emergency-vehicle products from concept through prototyping to production release.

You will collaborate with sales, manufacturing, and quality teams, create CAD models and drawings, ensure regulatory compliance (FMVSS, NFPA), and deliver manufacturable, cost-effective solutions for standard and custom builds.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in product development or design engineering in automotive/heavy equipment.
• Proficiency in CAD software (AutoCAD, Inventor).
• Working knowledge of vehicle electrical systems and fabrication methods.
• Experience with regulatory standards (FMVSS, NFPA) is a strong plus.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop new ambulance modules, patient compartments, chassis integrations, and related subsystems from concept through production.
• Support the Director of New Product Development in executing the product roadmap and translating strategic priorities into engineering deliverables.
• Develop engineering solutions for custom ambulance builds, working with sales and customers to translate specifications into manufacturable designs.
• Create detailed engineering drawings, 3D models, and BOMs using CAD software (AutoCAD, Inventor, or similar).
• Develop and execute prototypes, conduct testing, and validate designs against performance, safety, and durability requirements.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant industry standards (FMVSS, NFPA, or similar).
• Collaborate with manufacturing, production, and quality teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and meet timelines.
• Work with suppliers to source components and manage engineering changes.
• Support root-cause analysis for field issues and warranty concerns.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Electrical engineering

Automotive engineering

CAD proficiency

Design for manufacturability

DFM / DFA

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Inventor

Job description

Life Line Emergency Vehicles, Sumner, IA, US

Salary Range: $72,000.00 To $98,000.00 Annually

Join the Team That Builds Life-Saving Vehicles

Why Life Line?

At Life Line, you won’t just build parts — you’ll help build ambulances that save lives every day. When you join our team, you become part of something bigger. We foster a supportive, team-oriented environment where your skills grow, your hard work is valued, and your contributions truly make a difference.

Position Summary

We are seeking a New Product Development Engineer to join our engineering team and support the design, development, and continuous improvement of our ambulance and emergency vehicle products, including custom ambulance builds. Reporting to the Director of New Product Development, this role takes new vehicle concepts, standard product features, and customer-driven custom configurations from initial concept through prototyping, testing, and full production release — ensuring all designs meet the highest standards of safety, durability, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop new ambulance modules, patient compartments, chassis integrations, and related subsystems from concept through production
• Support the Director of New Product Development in executing the product roadmap and translating strategic priorities into engineering deliverables
• Develop engineering solutions for custom ambulance builds, working directly with sales and customers to translate unique specifications and requests into manufacturable designs
• Create detailed engineering drawings, 3D models, and BOMs using CAD software (AutoCAD, Inventor, or similar)
• Develop and execute prototypes, conduct testing, and validate designs against performance, safety, and durability requirements
• Ensure designs comply with relevant industry standards (e.g., KKK-A-1822, NFPA 1900, GVS/GSA specifications, CAAS, or applicable regional/national standards)
• Collaborate with manufacturing, production, and quality teams to ensure both standard and custom designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and meet production timelines
• Work with suppliers and vendors to source components, evaluate materials, and manage engineering changes
• Support root-cause analysis and corrective action for field issues, warranty claims, and quality concerns
• Manage engineering documentation, change orders, and revision control throughout the product lifecycle for both standard and custom builds
• Partner with sales and customer teams to scope custom orders, provide engineering feasibility input, and set realistic delivery expectations
• Stay current on emerging technologies, materials, and regulatory changes affecting emergency vehicle design
• Support cost reduction initiatives and continuous improvement efforts across existing product lines

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field
• 3+ years of experience in product development or design engineering, ideally in automotive, truck body, specialty vehicle, or heavy equipment manufacturing
• Proficiency in CAD software (AutoCAD, Inventor, or equivalent)
• Working knowledge of vehicle electrical systems, structural design, and/or fabrication methods (sheet metal, composites, welding)
• Comfort working on both structured new-product programs and fast-turnaround, customer-specific custom builds
• Familiarity with relevant regulatory and industry standards (FMVSS, KKK-A-1822, NFPA, or similar) is a strong plus
• Experience with DFM (Design for Manufacturability) and DFA (Design for Assembly) principles
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work cross-functionally with production, quality, and sales teams
• Excellent communication and documentation skills; comfortable presenting design updates to leadership, including the Director of New Product Development

Preferred Experience

• Experience specifically in ambulance, fire apparatus, or emergency/specialty vehicle manufacturing
• Prior experience supporting custom or made-to-order vehicle builds
• Knowledge of GVWR/weight distribution analysis for upfit vehicles
• Experience with FEA (Finite Element Analysis) or other simulation tools
• Familiarity with electrical/12V-24V systems, lighting, and communication equipment used in emergency vehicles

Contingencies of Employment

• Successful completion of a background check, pre-employment drug screen and physical examination.
• Successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check, if applicable to the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Life Line Emergency Vehicles (LLEV) is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace where all employees and applicants are valued, respected, and supported.

LLEV does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Work Authorization

Life Line Emergency Vehicles does not offer employment sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.