Director of Product Engineering

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Oversee product development initiatives from initial concept to production launch.

• Establish and maintain a structured stage-gate development process.

• Collaborate with Product Management, Sales, and Marketing to prioritize and implement product roadmaps.

• Drive innovation efforts and discover new technologies, materials, and product opportunities.

• Manage activities related to intellectual property, patents, and engineering partnerships.

• Advocate for value engineering initiatives to enhance product performance and profitability.

• Work together with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, and Product Management.

• Provide engineering support for acquisitions, product integrations, and standardization projects.

• Cultivate relationships with customers, suppliers, and external engineering partners.

• Enhance project management practices across the engineering organization.

• Oversee multiple concurrent projects across various brands, facilities, and product lines.

• Manage project timelines, resource allocation, budgets, and launch readiness activities.

• Offer leadership visibility into project status, priorities, risks, and resource requirements.

• Monitor and report KPIs such as launch timing, project expenditures, cost reduction initiatives, and product vitality metrics.

• Conduct technical evaluations for new customer opportunities and custom applications.

• Evaluate feasibility, cost, manufacturability, and project risks.

• Convert customer requirements into engineering specifications, validation plans, and product designs.

• Supervise prototype development, testing, and product validation processes.

• Collaborate with manufacturing leaders regarding DFM and DFA principles.

• Assist in make-versus-buy decisions and vertical integration initiatives.

• Lead engineering change management and product launch readiness efforts.

• Promote continuous improvement with a focus on quality, efficiency, and cost savings.

• Mentor and develop product engineers, designers, and applications engineers across multiple locations.

• Enhance organizational capability through hiring, mentoring, and succession planning.

• Encourage accountability, collaboration, innovation, and ongoing improvement.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, materials, or a related engineering field.

• Over 10 years of product engineering experience.

• More than 5 years of experience leading engineers or engineering teams.

• Background in automotive, heavy-duty truck and trailer, or industrial vehicle components (OE, Tier 1/Tier 2, or aftermarket).

• Proven success in taking new products from concept to launch with measurable commercial results.

• Practical applications engineering experience working directly with customers.

• Strong project management capabilities, including managing multiple projects, adhering to deadlines, and budget management.

• Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA, GD&T, DFM/DFA, and engineering change management.

• Experience in product costing, ROI and business case development, and competitive analysis.

• Experience leading customer-facing engineering, NPI, or quoting functions.

• Proficient in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, Creo, or similar) and PLM/PDM systems.

• Willingness to travel to sites and customers as required.

• Preferred: Background in the commercial vehicle aftermarket 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 similar project management certification.

• Preferred: Lean or Six Sigma training.

• Preferred: Knowledge of FMVSS, SAE, or DOT standards relevant to commercial vehicle components.

🏝️ Benefits

• Remote leadership position.

• Opportunity to guide engineering across a growing range of respected industry brands.

• Influence product strategy and business growth at the executive level.

• Drive innovation from concept to commercialization.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in manufacturing, sales, operations, and supply chain.

• Opportunity to shape processes, build teams, and make a lasting impact on the organization.