Vice President of Engineering

Freedom Motors USA, Inc.; Battle Creek (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Freedom Motors USA, Inc. is seeking a Vice President of Engineering to lead the team that designs, validates, and improves our vehicle conversions. This hands-on leadership role combines intimate product knowledge with strategic impact across the business.

You’ll own the full engineering function from concept through launch and drive manufacturability on the production floor. You will set the budget and hiring roadmap, partner with Production to improve flow, and be the technical voice on OEM

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Automotive, Manufacturing, or related engineering.
• 10+ years in automotive or related manufacturing engineering.
• 5+ years leading engineering teams; prior Director/Head role a plus.
• Experience taking a product from concept through validation to production.
• Knowledge of FMVSS compliance for vehicle modifiers/second-stage manufacturers.
• Familiarity with crash testing, structural analysis and validation processes.
• Strong CAD skills (SolidWorks, CATIA or similar).
• Experience with DFMEA, PPAP, GD&T, and formal design reviews.
• Willingness to work between office and shop floor; strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, mentor, and grow the engineering team across design, electrical, testing, and manufacturing.
• Oversee the product development process end to end from concept and CAD through prototype and production launch.
• Serve as the technical authority on regulatory compliance including FMVSS, NHTSA, and emissions.
• Responsible for crash testing and structural validation programs with external vendors as needed.
• Partner with Production to improve manufacturability, reduce conversion time, and lower rework costs.
• Evaluate new OEM base vehicles and advise leadership on feasibility, cost, and timeline.
• Oversee engineering documentation, drawing control, BOMs, and change management.
• Collaborate with Quality on root-cause analysis and field issue resolution.
• Support Sales and Service with technical expertise on custom and commercial builds.
• Set the engineering budget, capital plan, and hiring roadmap.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

3D CAD

DFMEA

PPAP

GD&T

Cross-functional teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Automotive, Manufacturing or related engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Job description

Who We Are:

Redefining mobility since 1987

Leading manufacturer and retailer of wheelchair-accessible vehicles

Nationwide, family-owned & operated, headquartered in Battle Creek, MI

COMPANY DESCRIPTION:

Freedom Motors USA is a nationwide, family-owned and operated company, headquartered in Battle Creek, MI, and the leading manufacturer and retailer of wheelchair-accessible vehicles with the widest-ranging product line in the United States. Founded in 1987, we focus on providing customized options for the unique needs of our customers.

POSITION SUMMARY:

We're hiring a Vice President of Engineering to lead the team that designs, validates, and continuously improves our vehicle conversions. This is a hands‑on leadership role at a company small enough that you'll know every product intimately, and established enough that your decisions carry real weight across the business. You'll own the full engineering function: new conversion platform development from concept through crash validation and launch, sustaining engineering on our current lineup, and the design-for-manufacturability work that keeps our production floor efficient. You'll also be the technical voice in the room when we decide which OEM platforms to take on next.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, lead, mentor, and grow the engineering team in disciplines related to design, electrical, testing, and manufacturing.
• Oversee the product development process end to end, from concept and CAD through prototype, validation testing, and production launch.
• Serve as the company's technical authority on regulatory compliance, including applicable FMVSS requirements, NHTSA standards, emissions regulations, and more.
• Responsible for our crash testing and structural validation programs in coordination with outside vendors as needed.
• Partner with Production team to improve manufacturability, reduce conversion time, and lower rework costs without compromising safety or quality.
• Evaluate new OEM base vehicles and advise leadership on feasibility, cost, and timeline for bringing new conversions to market.
• Oversee the engineering team’s documentation, drawing control, BOMs, and change management.
• Work with the Quality team on root cause analysis, corrective actions, and field issue resolution.
• Support Sales and Service with technical expertise on custom and commercial builds.
• Set the engineering budget, capital plan, and hiring roadmap.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Automotive, Manufacturing, or a related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of engineering experience in automotive, vehicle modification, upfitter, commercial vehicle, or a related manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years leading engineering teams with a track record of developing and growing talent. Previous experience as a Director or Head of Engineering is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience taking a physical product from concept through validation and into production.
• Working knowledge of FMVSS and the compliance obligations that apply to vehicle modifiers or second-stage manufacturers.
• Familiarity with crash testing, structural analysis and validation processes.
• Strong command of 3D CAD (SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar) and structural analysis fundamentals.
• Experience with DFMEA, PPAP, GD&T, and formal design review processes.
• Ability to move between the conference room and the shop floor as this role requires being present where the vehicles are.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

This job description is meant to provide an overview of the duties and responsibilities of this position. It is not intended to be an all-inclusive listing.