Engineering Manager
DISHER
Software Engineering, Other Engineering
Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Posted on Feb 12, 2025
Engineering Manager – Grand Rapids, Michigan
DISHER is partnering with a motorcycle manufacturer in Grand Rapids, Michigan to fill their Product Development Engineering Manager to manage their engineering team. This person will be responsible primarily for overseeing the day-to-day activities of engineers and technical specialists across various disciplines, assisting in priority setting and effectiveness, and assuring deadlines are met by delivering high quality engineering outputs. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of full-cycle vehicle engineering, from conceptual design to final release, with a strong focus on leadership, employee prioritization and effectiveness, project and resource management, problem solving and decision making. This position will involve overseeing both the design and release of individual components as well as total motorcycle attributes such as ride and handling, NVH, emissions, etc. Your leadership must enable and enhance our ability to deliver high-performance motorcycles that meet both customer expectations and industry standards.
What it’s like to work here:
This is a unique opportunity to work with a growing company. A start-up, motorcycle manufacturer in Grand Rapids with less than 100 employees. This company is customer experience-driven, dedicated to the superior care of both the machine and the wild soul that rides it. We are looking for a dedicated person who thrives in a team-oriented environment and is committed to steady growth and creating a quality product.
What you'll get to do:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented environment. This position has direct people leader responsibility for approximately 10 – 12 engineers.
- Provide clear direction, support, and follow up to ensure each engineer’s efforts and priorities are aligned with the company’s objectives, product timelines, and quality standards.
- Be the primary engineering interface with external 3rd party engineering service providers.
- Maintain cross-functional collaboration with Buell Department Leads to ensure engineering considerations are integrated throughout the entire product lifecycle.
- Work closely with the existing manager as he transitions from a combined leader/technical mentor role to more of a technical leadership role. Continue to maintain close communication and alignment between his technical background, knowledge, and recommendations and your people leader skills and responsibilities.
- Manage team performance through (minimum) monthly 1:1 session to provide regular feedback, goal setting adjustments (if needed), discuss professional development opportunities, and assure that each employee has the tools and support they need to be successful.
- Actively participate in the development and improvements of engineering processes, tools, and methodologies to improve efficiency and quality.
- Develop and maintain a list of technical benchmark data for key competitors in Buell’s current and proposed market segments.
What will make you successful:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
- 5+ years of demonstrated proficiency in a technical people leader role with responsibility for a group of engineers (ideally 8 or more) in the motorsports or other vehicle related industries.
- General knowledge of motorcycle systems, including engine, chassis, suspension, electrical, and braking systems. Embedded controls knowledge is also advantageous but not required.
- Extensive experience with complete vehicle engineering, including design, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing processes.
- Proven track record in managing engineering teams, delegating tasks, and prioritizing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with a particular focus on “on time” delivery.
- Strong understanding of CAD tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar) and simulation software.
- Proven experience with ISO quality systems, or similar, and their application.
- Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop team members.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with both technical and non-technical teams.
- Experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) systems and understanding of design for manufacturability principles.
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