Engineering Manager at Folience Inc – Sumner, Iowa

About the Role

The Engineering Manager leads the engineering function supporting the design, development, and continuous improvement of custom emergency vehicles. This role blends hands-on technical leadership with people management, process discipline, and cross‑functional collaboration. You’ll partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain and sales to deliver safe, compliant, high‑quality vehicles on time and on cost.

What You’ll Do

Technical & Program Leadership

• Lead vehicle design and engineering activities from concept through production release and lifecycle support
• Own engineering standards, specifications, drawings, BOMs, and change control (ECR/ECO)
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards (e.g., NFPA, FMVSS, SAE, electrical and safety requirements)
• Support complex custom orders and resolve design-for-manufacturability issues

People Leadership

• Build, coach, and develop a high‑performing engineering team (mechanical, electrical, and/or systems)
• Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and drive accountability for results
• Establish training plans, mentoring, and succession planning

Process & Continuous Improvement

• Improve engineering workflows, documentation, and handoffs to Manufacturing
• Drive standardization, modular design, and reuse to reduce cost and lead time
• Analyze quality issues, rework, and warranty data to implement corrective actions

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations to support production schedules, capacity planning, and problem solving
• Collaborate with Sales and Program Management on technical feasibility, options, and customer requirements
• Work with Supply Chain to qualify parts, manage obsolescence, and support cost reduction

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or related); Master’s preferred
• 7+ years of progressive engineering experience in a manufacturing environment; 3+ years leading teams
• Experience with custom or low‑volume/high‑mix products (vehicle, transportation, heavy equipment preferred)
• Strong knowledge of CAD (e.g., SolidWorks), PLM, and ERP systems
• Proven ability to manage change, prioritize work, and deliver results in a fast‑paced environment

Nice to Have

• Emergency vehicle, automotive, or specialty vehicle experience
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and design-for-manufacture principles
• Experience supporting regulatory compliance and customer audits

Why Join Us

• Purpose‑driven work supporting first responders and communities
• Opportunity to lead, build, and shape engineering strategy
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and growth opportunities