The Engineering Manager will have responsibility for the Child Restraint System (CRS) products engineering and development efforts. This role is a key driver for new product development and efficient design of quality products utilizing cost effective technologies, and strategic planning to meet product group goals. This position will lead a team of engineers that evolves new products for the business with the team primarily located in Columbus, Indiana.
Seasoned product development leader with demonstrated general management skills and experience from a recognized consumer product manufacturing company. Has a reputation for aligning their teams to execute the organization’s strategy. Has a track record for creating innovative and highly successful product development — an “out-of-the-box” thinker. Has a thorough understanding of the working effectively within a cross functional team and partner with peers in the organization to deliver shared objectives.
This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
Key Responsibilities
Product Development:
- Provide leadership to the engineering team for new product development and maintenance of existing platforms.
- Track performance and drive improvements on key development metrics: design of NPD products, efficient delivery to market, development cost per product, projects meeting objectives of performance and schedule
- Drive continuous process and product improvements across existing as well as post launch improvement efforts
- Evolve new technologies and concepts into tangible engineered products
- Mentor engineers towards designing and executing product engineering goals
- Drive Engineering and Product development disciplines with standardized approach
- Provide leadership on optimizing product designs for performance, quality, craftsmanship, manufacturability and packaging, as well as product development
- Implement engineering practices and tools, including DOE, GD&T, DVP&R, and FMEA
- Understand FMVSS, CMVSS and relevant regulatory landscape that influences the development and sale of car seats in the US and Canada
- Work with prototype lab and other cross departmental peers in successful development of design representative concepts, mock-ups and test worthy samples
Miscellaneous Responsibilities:
- Leverage the global product development and supply chain networks as a source of sustainable competitive advantage
- Monitor competitive landscape and maintain up to date benchmarking database
- Support engineering budget and work scoping activities
- Partner with our Asia based office to determine the most efficient way to bring individual products to market
- Communicate clearly with senior leadership and drive decisions with their alignment
- Demonstrate a feel for the consumer and the market that results in a strategy for long-term growth supported by the development of cutting-edge market-ready products. Ensure that product platforms are developed with an extended runway in consideration
- Balance financial risks and opportunities while ensuring predictable product performance toward meeting functional and other targets
- Recommend how to solve for unfavorable product cost
Education, Experience, Skills, Certifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field is required
- Masters degree in Engineering is a plus
- Six Sigma Belt Certification is a plus
- Minimum of 10+ years of relevant technical product development and leadership experience in a consumer products environment. Other industries (Automotive, Appliances, Medical device, some transportation) acceptable with appropriate experience
- Minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience is required. Past experience in manufacturing, quality environment is preferred
- Proven ability of command over CAD design tools – experience of 5+ years required
- SolidWorks design experience and Certification would be preferred
- History of successful product development performance in a company that promotes creativity and innovation
- Hands on experience with product development tools
- Ability to leverage internal talent and external resources to deliver world-class design solutions
- Experience navigating Intellectual Property in a competitive product category. Experience in a highly regulated industry is a plus
INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCIES:
- Demonstrable planning skills and engineering capability
- Leadership, mentoring and planning skills
- Hands-on ability to support deliverables of Product Development Engineers
- Team oriented, collaborative with the ability to manage, motivate, and energize product development efforts
- Ability to mentor and develop staff in seeking growth opportunities to maximize individual and team potential
- High interpersonal skills with a compelling and engaging manner
- Comfortable in a high-pressure fast paced environment
- Integrity and solid business and personal values
- Flexibility and adaptability