[Hiring] Director of Product Engineering @High Bar Brands

Role Description

We are looking for a hands-on engineering leader who can turn customer problems into products that win. This role owns the product engineering function across all HBB brands: new product development, applications engineering, and the project management discipline that gets products launched on time, on cost, and ready for production.

What You'll Do

• Lead New Product Development
  • Drive product development activities from concept through production launch.
  • Establish and manage a disciplined stage-gate development process.
  • Partner with Product Management, Sales, and Marketing to prioritize and execute product roadmaps.
  • Lead innovation initiatives, identifying new technologies, materials, and product opportunities.
  • Manage intellectual property activities, patents, and engineering partnerships.
  • Champion value engineering initiatives to improve product performance and profitability.
• Drive Cross-Functional Execution
  • Collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, and Product Management teams.
  • Ensure engineering decisions support operational capabilities, customer requirements, and business objectives.
  • Lead engineering support for acquisitions, product integrations, and standardization efforts.
  • Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and external engineering resources.
• Own Project & Portfolio Management
  • Lead and strengthen project management disciplines across the engineering organization.
  • Manage multiple concurrent projects across brands, facilities, and product lines.
  • Oversee project schedules, resource planning, budgets, and launch readiness activities.
  • Provide leadership visibility into project status, priorities, risks, and resource needs.
  • Track and report key performance indicators including launch timing, project spend, cost reduction efforts, and product vitality metrics.
• Support Customers & Applications Engineering
  • Lead technical evaluations for new customer opportunities and custom applications.
  • Assess feasibility, cost, manufacturability, and project risks.
  • Translate customer requirements into engineering specifications, validation plans, and product designs.
  • Oversee prototype development, testing, and product validation activities.
• Partner with Operations
  • Collaborate with manufacturing leaders to drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.
  • Support make-versus-buy decisions and vertical integration initiatives.
  • Lead engineering change management processes and product launch readiness activities.
  • Drive continuous improvement efforts focused on quality, efficiency, and cost reduction.
• Develop People & Teams
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of product engineers, designers, and applications engineers across multiple locations.
  • Build organizational capability through hiring, mentoring, and succession planning.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, materials, or a related engineering discipline. Master’s degree is a plus.
• 10+ years of product engineering experience, with 5+ years leading engineers or engineering teams.
• Experience in automotive, heavy-duty truck and trailer, or industrial vehicle components (OE, Tier 1/Tier 2, or aftermarket).
• A track record of taking new products from concept to launch, with measurable commercial results.
• Hands-on applications engineering experience working directly with customers.
• Strong project management skills: running multiple projects at once, holding dates, and managing budgets.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA, GD&T, DFM/DFA, and engineering change management.
• Solid business sense: product costing, ROI and business case development, and competitive analysis.
• Experience leading customer-facing engineering, NPI, or quoting functions.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, Creo, or similar) and PLM/PDM systems.
• Willingness to travel to sites and customers.

Requirements

• Commercial vehicle aftermarket experience with truck and trailer accessories and components (for example mud flaps, fenders, and protective components).
• Experience with polymer and steel materials and processes (injection molding, rotomolding, thermoforming, extrusion, forging and stamping).
• PMP or equivalent project management certification. Lean or Six Sigma training.
• Experience with FMVSS, SAE, or DOT standards relevant to commercial vehicle components.

Benefits

• Lead engineering across a growing portfolio of respected industry brands.
• Influence product strategy and business growth at the leadership level.
• Drive innovation from concept through commercialization.
• Work with cross-functional teams across manufacturing, sales, operations, and supply chain.
• Shape processes, build teams, and leave a lasting impact on the organization.
• Enjoy the flexibility of a remote leadership role while maintaining strong engagement with customers and operations throughout North America.