Product Design Engineering Manager - Trailers (JC432)

Ilocatum is seeking a Product Design Engineering Manager for Trailers to lead an on-site team in Waterloo, IA. This role emphasizes ownership, standardization, and lifecycle support for heavy haul trailer platforms, blending hands-on engineering leadership with cross-functional collaboration to advance durable, reliable, and cost-effective designs.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of product design engineers supporting production and in-market products, owning architectures, standards, and design intent across heavy haul trailer platforms.
• Prioritize work based on production needs, product improvements, cost reduction initiatives, and field feedback; serve as the engineering owner for sustaining engineering, product changes, and platform evolution outside of new product development.
• Provide engineering support for production, including rapid resolution of design, quality, and manufacturability issues, and partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Production to improve weldment, fabrication, and assembly methods, BOM accuracy, drawings, and release quality.
• Lead and participate in structured design reviews, approve engineering changes, and oversee ECN and ECO execution to ensure product changes are timely, accurate, and well documented.
• Ensure compliance with FMVSS, DOT, and internal engineering and quality standards.
• Use DFMEA, lessons learned, warranty data, and field feedback to drive improvements to durability, safety, and product reliability, along with design-for-manufacturing, design-to-cost, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support Sales, Service, and Operations with clear engineering guidance and technical explanations, maintain and improve engineering documentation, databases, and design tools, and assist in developing standard, pre-engineered product offerings to reduce custom engineering demands and improve schedule execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
• Experience in heavy haul trailers, heavy equipment, or fabricated mobile equipment
• Strong background in mechanical systems, structures, hydraulics, and manufacturing processes
• Proven experience supporting products in a production environment
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with CAD tools, Excel, and engineering data systems
• Ability to balance cost, performance, manufacturability, and reliability

Technologies

• CAD tools
• Excel
• Engineering data systems

Benefits

• Base salary $80,000 to $90,000, plus 15% annual bonus
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off

Schedule

On-site position with regular hands-on engagement across production and engineering teams.