Job summary: we are seeking an experienced and highly motivated lead product engineer to join our engineering team. This individual will be responsible for leading the design and engineering efforts for our next-generation products from concept through production. The lead product engineer will play a pivotal role in shaping product architecture, ensuring design for manufacturability (dfm) and assembly (dfa), and driving technical excellence within the team. This role requires a strong blend of technical expertise, leadership skills, and a passion for bringing innovative products to the market. Responsibilities technical leadership & ownership: lead the design and engineering of liftgates and sub-systems. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior mechanical engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Design & development: develop detailed 3d cad models (e.g., solidworks) and 2d engineering drawings with appropriate gd&t for mechanical parts and assemblies. Prototyping & testing: oversee the prototyping to validate concepts, test functionality, and refine designs. Manufacturing & supply chain collaboration: collaborate closely with manufacturing partners to ensure designs are optimized for mass production, assembly, and quality control. Participate in dfm/dfa reviews to identify and resolve manufacturing challenges early in the development cycle. Support production ramp-up, address manufacturing issues, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Work with the supply chain team to identify and qualify new suppliers and components. Project management & communication: contribute to project planning, scheduling, and resource allocation for mechanical engineering tasks. Education: bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Experience: 8+ years of experience in product development, with a significant portion in a lead or senior mechanical engineering role for companies making mechanical/hydraulic machines preferable in the transportation/trucking industry. Cad proficiency: expert-level proficiency in solidworks. Dfm/dfa expertise: proven track record of designing products for high-volume manufacturing processes (forging, casting, cnc machining, injection molding etc.). Analytical skills: strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience with fea and other engineering analysis tools. Material science: in-depth knowledge of engineering materials (plastics, metals, composites) and their properties and applications. Prototyping & testing: hands-on experience with various prototyping techniques and mechanical testing methodologies. Gd&t: strong understanding and application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing. Problem-solving: excellent root cause analysis and troubleshooting skills. Communication: exceptional verbal and written english communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly and concisely. Leadership: demonstrated leadership abilities, including mentoring, guiding, and influencing technical teams. Collaboration: proven ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment. Travel : ability travel as needed in us.multiple customers visit yearly for new products feedback and product support. Visa required. Global entry (preferable). Preferred qualifications: experience with plm/pdm systems (e.g., db works, epicor, arena, agile). Knowledge of regulatory compliance standards (e.g., fmvss). #j-18808-ljbffr