Director of Product Engineering

Job Description:

• Lead product development activities from concept through production launch
• Establish and manage a disciplined stage-gate development process
• Partner with Product Management, Sales, and Marketing to prioritize and execute product roadmaps
• Lead innovation initiatives and identify new technologies, materials, and product opportunities
• Manage intellectual property activities, patents, and engineering partnerships
• Champion value engineering initiatives to improve product performance and profitability
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, and Product Management
• Lead engineering support for acquisitions, product integrations, and standardization efforts
• Build relationships with customers, suppliers, and external engineering resources
• Lead and strengthen project management disciplines across the engineering organization
• Manage multiple concurrent projects across brands, facilities, and product lines
• Oversee project schedules, resource planning, budgets, and launch readiness activities
• Provide leadership visibility into project status, priorities, risks, and resource needs
• Track and report KPIs including launch timing, project spend, cost reduction efforts, and product vitality metrics
• Lead technical evaluations for new customer opportunities and custom applications
• Assess feasibility, cost, manufacturability, and project risks
• Translate customer requirements into engineering specifications, validation plans, and product designs
• Oversee prototype development, testing, and product validation
• Collaborate with manufacturing leaders on DFM and DFA principles
• Support make-versus-buy decisions and vertical integration initiatives
• Lead engineering change management and product launch readiness activities
• Drive continuous improvement focused on quality, efficiency, and cost reduction
• Lead, coach, and develop product engineers, designers, and applications engineers across multiple locations
• Build organizational capability through hiring, mentoring, and succession planning
• Foster accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, materials, or a related engineering discipline
• 10+ years of product engineering experience
• 5+ years leading engineers or engineering teams
• Experience in automotive, heavy-duty truck and trailer, or industrial vehicle components (OE, Tier 1/Tier 2, or aftermarket)
• Track record of taking new products from concept to launch, with measurable commercial results
• Hands-on applications engineering experience working directly with customers
• Strong project management skills, including running multiple projects, holding dates, and managing budgets
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA, GD&T, DFM/DFA, and engineering change management
• Product costing, ROI and business case development, and competitive analysis
• Experience leading customer-facing engineering, NPI, or quoting functions
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, Creo, or similar) and PLM/PDM systems
• Willingness to travel to sites and customers
• Preferred: Commercial vehicle aftermarket experience with truck and trailer accessories and components
• Preferred: Experience with polymer and steel materials and processes, including injection molding, rotomolding, thermoforming, extrusion, forging, and stamping
• Preferred: PMP or equivalent project management certification
• Preferred: Lean or Six Sigma training
• Preferred: Experience with FMVSS, SAE, or DOT standards relevant to commercial vehicle components

Benefits:

• Remote leadership role
• Opportunity to lead engineering across a growing portfolio of respected industry brands
• Influence product strategy and business growth at the leadership level
• Drive innovation from concept through commercialization
• Work with cross-functional teams across manufacturing, sales, operations, and supply chain
• Opportunity to shape processes, build teams, and leave a lasting impact on the organization