Product Design Engineering Manager

Job Posted: 2025-09-26
Location:
Waco, TX, US

Job Summary: The Product Design Engineering Manager leads a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for designing and producing production drawings for Electric Power Generation (EPG) packages and Spray King® product lines for HOLT Manufacturing. This role ensures engineering deliverables meet production needs, drives design quality and efficiency, and supports collaboration across departments—including close coordination with Sales Engineering and Project Delivery—to meet customer and business objectives.


 


The incumbent in this position is expected to model the following practices on a daily basis: 1) Demonstrate alignment with the company's mission and core business values; 2) Collaborate with key internal/external resources; 3) Participate in ongoing self-development.  


 


Essential Functions:



  • Hires, develops, evaluates, and influences effective and consistent productivity and teamwork to ensure the delivery of Legendary Customer Service (LCS)

  • Models, promotes, reinforces, and rewards the consistent use of HOLT’s Values Based Leadership (VBL) tools, models and processes to ensure alignment with our Vision, Values, and Mission

  • Leads and mentors a team of mechanical, electrical, and design engineers, drafters, and Product Design Engineering Supervisors 

  • Ensures engineering documentation, models, and BOMs are accurate, timely, and aligned with production and field requirements 

  • Provides responsive floor support to address engineering issues and enable real-time decision-making 

  • Collaborates with production, quality, supply chain, project management, and field service teams to drive design execution and issue resolution 

  • Collaborates with Sales Engineering and Project Delivery to interpret and validate customer specifications, ensuring engineering output aligns with project requirements 

  • Champions ISO 9001, ISO 15288 and Design for Manufacturing (DfM) practices to improve quality and reduce rework 

  • Drives standardization, design reuse, and engineering process improvements 

  • Owns and manages the engineering change process, including ECOs, deviations, and technical documentation 

  • Leads root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions for internal and field issues, integrating lessons learned into future designs 

  • Develops engineering team capabilities through coaching, performance management, and development planning 

  • Promotes a culture of ownership, cross-functional problem solving, and continuous improvement 

  • Ensures effective use of CAD, PDM, ERP, and other digital tools to streamline workflows and maintain data integrity 

  • Coordinates with Sales Engineering & Project Delivery to ensure customer requirements are clearly understood and incorporated throughout the quote-to-cash cycle 

  • Tracks and reports engineering KPIs such as design cycle time, change order turnaround, and issue resolution metrics 

  • Works safely at all times and adheres to all applicable safety policies; complies with all company policies, procedures, and standards

  • Performs other duties as assigned


 


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:



  • Demonstrated experience designing production-ready solutions for custom-engineered equipment 

  • Familiarity with Caterpillar equipment relevant to Spray King® water systems is preferred 

  • Proven ability to interpret and apply customer specifications and translate them into manufacturable designs 

  • Strong communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional collaboration 

  • Hands-on experience with SolidWorks, PDM systems, and Epicor or similar ERP tools preferred 

  • Knowledge of ISO 9001 and systems engineering principles (e.g., ISO 15288) 

  • Experience managing engineering change processes (ECOs, deviations) and leading root cause investigations

  • Computer and related software knowledge and/or experience and the ability to learn/use new computer programs 

  • Excellent verbal, written, communication, and presentation skills

  • Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with both internal and external customers

  • Exceptional organizational, time management, and multi-tasking skills

  • Advanced skills to identify complex problems and to review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions

  • Ability to lead a team in a fast-paced, high volume environment with emphasis on accuracy and timeliness 

  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations


 


Education and Experience:



  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field required 

  • Minimum of five years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment required

  • At least three years of previous management experience supervising multi-disciplinary teams of staff with budgetary responsibility


 


 


Supervisory Responsibilities:


Responsibilities include, but are not limited to interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; coaching and development; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.


 


Travel: 



  • Up to 20% travel required

  • Valid driver’s license


 


Physical Requirements:



  • This position involves extended periods in a stationary position; additionally, occasional movement inside the office to access office machinery, file cabinets, etc. 

  • This role frequently communicates with others, must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations

  • This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines

  • Constant movement and use of limbs; this position requires good manual dexterity, coordination, and stamina

  • Ascend/descend with gradual or continuous progress by oneself, using both hands and feet and climb up and down ladder

  • Be able to safely maneuver and work underneath equipment

  • Routinely reacts to visual, auditory, and other signals, including alarms and instructions, and is required to visually inspect work


 


Work Environment:



  • This job is generally performed in a professional office environment, in environmentally controlled conditions

  • Occasionally works outdoors and may be exposed to weather extremes conditions that include inclement weather, heat, cold, and humidity

  • Noise level may be loud at times

  • Exposure to small quantities of chemicals, steam, high-pressure fluids, and high speed rotating equipment

  • Frequently works at fast pace with unscheduled interruptions


 


Disclaimer:


Please note that the above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not to be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the incumbents so classified. All incumbents may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities, as needed.