Design Engineering Manager - Grand Rapids, MIThe Design Engineering Manager leads, inspires, and manages the design engineering team, with responsibility for new product development, product improvements, and support of OEM and large end-user projects.
What it's like to work here:This hands-on leader drives engineering projects from concept through production. The role requires strong technical judgment, disciplined project management, and the ability to make timely, well-reasoned decisions while maintaining high standards for quality, accuracy, cost, and performance. In addition to team leadership, the Design Engineering Manager contributes directly to design work and ensures accountability for results across the team. This position demands an analytical, detail oriented, and results-driven leader who can manage multiple priorities, quickly identify and correct issues, set clear expectations, and ensure all engineering work is completed accurately, efficiently, and in alignment with company objectives.
What you will get to do:- Lead and control engineering projects from concept through production.
- Provide hands-on design leadership, technical direction, and problem-solving support.
- Drive new product development, product improvement, and customer-specific engineering projects.
- Maintain the appropriate engineering focus across:
- 30% revolutionary product development
- 30% iterative product improvement
- 40% OEM and large end-user projects
- Establish clear work plans, priorities, responsibilities, timelines, and performance expectations.
- Review designs for accuracy, manufacturability, cost, quality, performance, and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure clean handoffs to Production for successful product launch.
- Maintain accuracy and consistency of 3D models, drawings, documentation, and Bills of Materials.
- Identify product performance, quality, and process issues and drive corrective action.
- Build, lead, and coach a capable, accountable design engineering team.
- Create and maintain engineering processes, standards, documentation, and training materials.
- Collaborate with the President, Sales, Marketing, and Production teams as needed.
- Stay aware of relevant industry trends, technologies, and design improvements.
- Aligned with the company's core values and culture.
- Innovative, curious, and focused on continuous improvement.
- Communicates clearly, directly, and factually.
- Delegates clearly while maintaining effective oversight and follow-through.
- Coaches and mentors team members to support growth and performance.
- Strong analytical and technical skills.
- Makes fast, thoughtful, and decisive decisions.
- Makes independent decisions and takes calculated risks with confidence.
- Maintains high standards for quality, accuracy, structure, and execution.
- Detail-oriented with strong accountability and follow-through.
- Organized, disciplined, and highly efficient.
- Takes full ownership of results from start to finish.
- Manages multiple projects effectively.
What will make you successful:- Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field.
- 10+ years of team management experience with proven success.
- Proven ability to lead projects from concept through production.
- Strong design experience, including SolidWorks and machine design.
- Knowledge of machining and metal forming processes.
- Strong organizational, technical, and decision-making skills.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills.
- ERP experience; Epicor preferred.
