Engineering Manager - NPD/R&D (Milwaukee)

Title: Engineering Manager, New Product Development/R&D

Company: Global Power Components –

Location: Milwaukee, WI (onsite 5-days/week)

Hire Type: Direct Hire

Overview:

Global Power Components is a privately held, growing manufacturer of UL heavy gauge steel fuel tanks, trailers, large generator enclosures, and modular metal enclosures for housing fully equipped electrical distribution and control equipment. Operating from our newly renovated 300,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, we continue to expand our market-leading position through innovation, engineering excellence, and operational execution. As part of our continued growth, we are seeking an Engineering Manager, New Product Development (Mechanical) to lead a team of Mechanical Design Engineers focused on the design and development of new products and customer-driven solutions. This role will be responsible for driving projects from concept through product launch, overseeing product architecture, design validation, prototyping, and commercialization efforts. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise in mechanical design and metal fabrication with proven experience leading New Product Development teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This leader will play a critical role in advancing our product portfolio while ensuring designs are innovative, manufacturable, cost-effective, and aligned with customer requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Mechanical Design Engineers focused on New Product Development initiatives.
• Drive the end-to-end product development lifecycle from concept, feasibility, and detailed design through validation, production launch, and continuous improvement.
• Establish NPD project priorities, engineering resource plans, and development schedules to support strategic business objectives.
• Collaborate with customers, sales, product management, operations, and manufacturing teams to define product requirements and convert customer needs into engineered solutions.
• Oversee mechanical design activities including SolidWorks modeling, design reviews, prototyping, testing, validation, and release to production.
• Lead cross-functional product development teams through design milestones, risk assessments, and project deliverables.
• Ensure products meet performance, quality, regulatory, reliability, cost, and manufacturability targets.
• Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Cost initiatives throughout the development process.
• Lead product innovation efforts, identifying opportunities for new technologies, automation, and enhanced product capabilities.
• Champion engineering best practices, design standards, and stage-gate product development processes.
• Support the development and execution of prototype builds, product testing, and design verification activities.
• Evaluate engineering team structure, talent development plans, and organizational scalability to support future growth.
• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Electrical Engineering teams to ensure seamless product launches.
• Develop and improve engineering systems, workflows, and automation tools to increase efficiency and design quality.
• Foster collaboration across engineering disciplines and promote a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 7+ years of mechanical design or product development experience, including 3+ years in an engineering leadership role.
• Proven experience leading New Product Development (NPD) programs from concept through commercialization.
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks, PDM systems, and product design documentation.
• Significant experience designing sheet metal, weldments, enclosures, fabricated assemblies, or industrial equipment.
• Deep understanding of product development methodologies, engineering change management, and stage-gate development processes.
• Demonstrated success managing cross-functional development teams and multiple concurrent NPD projects.
• Strong knowledge of Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and product cost optimization principles.
• Experience planning and executing prototype builds, engineering validation, and product testing programs.
• Proven ability to balance innovation, customer requirements, manufacturing capabilities, and business objectives.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and engineering data management tools.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence stakeholders throughout the organization.
• Experience within metal fabrication, industrial equipment, power generation, electrical infrastructure, OEM manufacturing, or engineered-to-order environments preferred.
• Experience with automation tools, design automation, and configurable product platforms is highly desirable.
• Hands-on approach with willingness to engage directly with manufacturing teams, prototype builds, and product launch activities.
• Must be willing to work onsite and travel between local manufacturing facilities as needed.