Product Design and Engineering Manager The Product Design and Engineering Manager leads the Engineering and New Product Development functions for Turn 14 Powersports. This is a hands-on leadership position responsible for managing a small engineering team while actively contributing to product design, development, testing, prototyping, problem-solving, and continuous product improvement. The Product Design and Engineering Manager will lead a department consisting of an Engineer and Engineering Technician and will work closely with Product Management, Brand Management, Sourcing, Quality, Marketing, Sales, and outside manufacturing partners to develop new products and improve existing products. This position is also responsible for the operation and continued development of the company's Innovation Center, which provides in-house product development, prototyping, fabrication, testing, and validation capabilities. Equipment includes multiple 3D printers, CNC machinery, presses, plasma cutting equipment, and other prototyping and fabrication tools. The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical engineering and product development experience with the ability to lead a small team, manage multiple projects, and personally contribute to engineering work when necessary.
Essential Job Functions:
Lead and manage the Engineering Department by directing, developing, and coaching engineering staff; establishing priorities, assignments, schedules, goals, and performance expectations; and managing department capacity and resources. Lead the engineering portion of new product development from concept through production, translating customer, market, and business needs into technical requirements and launch-ready products. Maintain hands-on involvement in complex engineering projects and develop and approve designs, CAD models, drawings, specifications, prototypes, BOMs, testing procedures, and technical documentation. Develop and oversee product testing and validation plans, including laboratory, bench, vehicle, field, and comparative testing. Analyze results and ensure products meet performance, safety, quality, and durability requirements. Oversee day-to-day Innovation Center operations, including equipment utilization, maintenance, safety, training, and continuous improvement. Evaluate equipment investments and expand internal prototyping and testing capabilities. Provide engineering support for existing product lines, including design changes, material and supplier changes, cost reductions, product improvements, corrective actions, warranty issues, and quality concerns. Partner with domestic and international manufacturers, suppliers, Sourcing, and Quality to resolve technical issues, optimize manufacturability, support tooling and sampling, and ensure successful production launches. Develop and maintain engineering standards, processes, revision controls, specifications, test records, and technical documentation that improve accuracy, efficiency, traceability, and speed to market. Collaborate with Brand Management, Sourcing, Quality, Marketing, Sales, and other functions to prioritize projects, communicate technical requirements, monitor schedules, resolve challenges, and support product launches and customer-facing activities. Balance projects against business priorities and available resources while determining when to use internal versus external engineering, testing, tooling, or manufacturing resources. Identify opportunities for innovation, capability development, and continuous improvement. Perform other functions as assigned. This list is not inclusive of the total scope of job functions to be performed. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or modified at any time.
Skills & Qualifications:
Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks, including complex 3D modeling, assemblies, configurations, sheet metal, drawings, and design documentation.
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications.
Strong written, verbal, and reading communication abilities.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and material selection, with an emphasis on design feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
Extensive hands-on product development and prototyping capability.
Strong mechanical design and engineering fundamentals.
Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Exceptional attention to detail without losing sight of project timing and commercial objectives.
Proven leadership in cross-functional teams, driving product development from concept through market launch.
Innovative mindset with the ability to explore non-traditional approaches and think beyond conventional solutions.
Ability to comprehend and analyze complex technical information and apply it effectively in design and development.
Ability to convert a product idea into a manufacturable commercial product.
Ability to evaluate product designs for performance, manufacturability, cost, and quality.
Ability to manage numerous development projects simultaneously.
Ability to establish priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong supplier-management and negotiation skills.
Ability to make sound engineering decisions with incomplete information.
Practical, hands-on approach to engineering and product development.
Willingness and ability to personally design, build, modify, fabricate, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate prototypes and products.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Experience:
Minimum of 7–10 years of mechanical engineering, product design, manufacturing engineering, or product development experience.
Advanced SolidWorks experience with a demonstrated history of using SolidWorks as a primary product design and engineering tool.
Demonstrated hands-on experience developing physical prototypes using 3D printing, CNC machining, fabrication, machining, forming, or other prototyping methods.
Experience taking products from CAD concept through prototype fabrication, functional testing, design iteration, validation, and production.
Prior experience leading engineering projects and/or engineering personnel.
Strong experience developing physical consumer, automotive, powersports, recreational vehicle, industrial, or similar manufactured products.
Demonstrated experience taking products from concept through design, prototype, testing, tooling, validation, and production.
Strong mechanical design experience.
Experience with manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, casting, forging, injection molding, sheet metal fabrication, welding, extrusion, or related processes.
Experience developing engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, and bills of materials.
Experience working directly with manufacturing suppliers.
Preferred:
Powersports, motorcycle, ATV/UTV, automotive, performance aftermarket, or related industry experience.
Experience operating or overseeing 3D printers, CNC equipment, presses, plasma cutting equipment, or other prototyping and fabrication equipment.
Experience designing and building functional prototypes in an engineering or product development environment.
Working Environment:
This position operates in both an office/engineering environment and a hands-on prototype and testing environment. The Product Design and Engineering Manager will regularly work with prototype vehicles, components, machinery, fabrication equipment, testing equipment, and manufacturing suppliers. Some travel may be required to suppliers, manufacturing facilities, testing locations, trade shows, customer locations, and other company facilities.
Physical Requirements: The physical demands include, but are not limited to:
- Sitting for extended periods of time.
- Standing and walking.
- Talking and communicating.
- Seeing and the ability to perceive color.
- Hearing.
- Frequent use of hands.
- Pushing, pulling, and lifting up to 25 lbs.
- Extensive typing and keyboarding.
- Mental ability to manage high-priority deadlines and conflicting priorities.
- Ability to drive locally and to and from work daily.
- There at Every Turn: Our Benefits
- At Turn 14 Powersports, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you both at work and at home.
- Competitive Pay Structure
Benefits:- Offered Day 1Generous PTO and Paid Holidays 401(K) Match
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Company-Sponsored Events
- Subsidized Part Purchasing Program
