Lead Product Engineer

Job Description

DECKED is a leading manufacturer of in-vehicle storage solutions – we make innovative, useful products to help our customers get more out of their vehicles. We are committed to designing and manufacturing our products right here in the U.S.  DECKED is a rapidly growing brand in the automotive aftermarket and is seeking engineering talent to accelerate our exciting trajectory.  

We are seeking an experienced and driven Lead Product Engineer with over 15 years of expertise in designing and engineering plastic products for the consumer market or automotive sector. This role requires a highly skilled technical leader who can drive innovation, manage complex design challenges, and lead a team of engineers. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of product development, manufacturing processes, and materials, with a strong emphasis on DFMEA, DVP&R, DFM/DFA, and bringing high-quality products to market efficiently.



As the Lead Product Engineer, you will oversee product development from concept to production, ensuring technical excellence, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness while leading and mentoring a team of engineers.



Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership: Provide hands-on leadership in product design and engineering, guiding the team in best practices, material selection, and advanced problem-solving.
Product Development: Lead the design, validation, and launch of plastic-based products for consumer and/or automotive applications, ensuring alignment with market demands.
Team Management: Recruit, mentor, and develop a team of engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
DFMEA & Risk Management: Oversee and facilitate DFMEA (Design Failure Mode & Effects Analysis) to identify and mitigate design risks early in the development process.
DVP&R & Validation: Develop and execute DVP&R (Design Validation Plan & Report) to ensure products meet performance, durability, and safety standards.
CAD & Engineering Design: Direct the creation and review of 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, and FEA analysis, ensuring compliance with industry and company standards.
Manufacturing & DFM/DFA: Partner with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure designs are optimized for mass production, cost-effectiveness, and assembly efficiency (DFM/DFA).
Prototyping & Testing: Lead prototype development and oversee physical testing to validate product performance and reliability.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with industrial designers, supply chain, quality, and marketing teams to align engineering efforts with business objectives.
Process & Quality Improvement: Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance engineering processes, reduce costs, and improve product performance.
Stakeholder Communication: Act as a technical liaison between engineering, executive leadership, and external partners, ensuring alignment on project goals and execution.
Qualifications & Skills

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related field.
Experience: 15+ years of experience in product design and engineering, with a strong focus on plastic products in the consumer or automotive sector.
Leadership: Proven experience leading and managing engineering teams, with a track record of mentoring and developing talent.
CAD Software: Expertise in SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent CAD tools for 3D modeling, drawings, and tolerance analysis.
Engineering Analysis: Strong background in FEA, tolerance stack-ups, and mechanical simulations to ensure robust product performance.
DFMEA & DVP&R: Extensive experience conducting DFMEA and developing DVP&R for high-performance product development.
Manufacturing Knowledge: Deep understanding of injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, and secondary processes related to plastic product manufacturing.
Material Expertise: Strong knowledge of thermoplastics, composites, coatings, and finishing techniques for consumer and automotive applications.
Problem-Solving: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and drive execution in a fast-paced environment.
Communication & Collaboration: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical concepts to executives, cross-functional teams, and external partners.