Sr. Engineer Manager of Product Design (Heavy Haul Trailers)

Location: XL Specialized Trailers - Manchester, IA (On-site)

Reports To: Sr. Director of Engineering

Position Summary

The Sr. Engineer Manager of Product Design is responsible for leading a team that manages a defined portion of XL's standard product offerings to support the production schedule. This role focuses on ownership, standardization, continuous improvement, and lifecycle support of existing trailer platforms, while ensuring designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, compliant, and scalable. The role works closely with other Sr. Engineering Managers leading sub-teams within the department to ensure alignment, consistency, and effective execution across the product portfolio, while supporting Manufacturing, Warranty, and Customer Service functions, and occasionally Sales. This position is expected to manage and develop people while remaining highly tactical and hands-on with regular on-site engagement. The position blends strong people leadership with hands-on technical oversight and close collaboration with manufacturing, sales, quality, and supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of product design engineers supporting production and in-market products
• Own product architectures, standards, and design intent across heavy haul trailer platforms
• Prioritize and assign engineering work based on production needs, product improvements, cost-reduction initiatives, and field feedback
• Serve as engineering owner for sustaining engineering, product changes, and platform evolution (non-NPD)
• Ensure engineering support for production, including rapid resolution of design, quality, and manufacturability issues
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Production to:
  • Improve weldment, fabrication, and assembly methods
  • Improve BOM accuracy, drawings, and release quality
• Lead and participate in structured design reviews and approve engineering changes
• Oversee ECN/ECO execution to ensure timely, accurate, and well-documented product changes
• Ensure compliance with FMVSS, DOT, and internal engineering and quality standards
• Apply DFMEA, lessons learned, warranty data, and field feedback to improve durability, safety, and product reliability
• Drive design-for-manufacturing, design-to-cost, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support sales, service, and operations by providing clear engineering guidance and technical explanations
• Maintain and improve engineering documentation, databases, and design tools
• Assist with development and implementation of standard, pre-engineered product offerings to reduce custom engineering resource demands and improve schedule execution

Leadership & Collaboration

• Build a culture of accountability, practical engineering judgment, and continuous improvement
• Mentor and develop engineers in technical skills, standards, and problem-solving
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and Service

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or 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 production environments

Key Competencies

• Practical, hands-on engineering judgment
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to balance cost, performance, manufacturability, and reliability
• Proficiency with CAD tools, Excel, and engineering data systems

Work Environment

• Combination of office and shop-floor support
• Primarily on-site with limited travel as needed