Product Improvement Engineering Manager
Listed on 2026-06-13
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Engineering
Manufacturing Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Quality Engineering, Operations Manager
Kelly® Engineering is seeking a Product Improvement Engineering Manager for a direct-hire opportunity with a leading global manufacturer of automotive service equipment headquartered in the greater St. Louis area.
OverviewOur client is a globally recognized manufacturer of advanced vehicle service equipment used by automotive manufacturers, dealerships, tire retailers, fleet operators, and service centers worldwide. Their portfolio includes highly engineered mechanical, electrical, and software-integrated systems supporting vehicle alignment, balancing, inspection, and diagnostic operations. Known for innovation, quality, and long-term stability, the organization continues to invest heavily in engineering excellence and product performance.
The Product Improvement Engineering Manager will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for sustaining, improving, and optimizing products throughout their lifecycle after launch. Unlike traditional product development roles, this team focuses on enhancing existing products over a 10–15 year lifecycle through improvements in manufacturability, quality, cost, serviceability, supplier performance, and product features.
This position will provide day-to-day leadership for a team of Mechanical Engineers, an Electrical Engineer, and Drafters while partnering closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Product Management, and Field Service. The successful candidate will help transform the organization from a reactive support model toward a more proactive, project-driven engineering team focused on delivering measurable business impact.
Responsibilities- Lead, coach, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary Product Improvement Engineering team.
- Establish team priorities, accountability, workload management processes, and project execution strategies.
- Drive product improvement initiatives related to manufacturability, cost reduction, quality, supplier changes, serviceability, and product enhancements.
- Manage engineering support activities throughout the product lifecycle.
- Oversee engineering change notices (ECNs), deviations, supplier-driven changes, and field-driven product improvements.
- Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Product Management, and Field Service to resolve technical and operational challenges.
- Implement processes and prioritization methods that reduce reactive work and improve project execution.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives, operational metrics, KPIs, and process improvements.
- Guide teams through root cause investigations, corrective actions, and implementation of sustainable solutions.
- Communicate project status, priorities, risks, and recommendations to leadership and key stakeholders.
- Build strong working relationships with remote manufacturing operations and cross-functional teams.
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- Proven engineering leadership or engineering management experience with direct people management responsibilities.
- Strong engineering background with experience in manufacturing, product engineering, project engineering, design engineering, or industrial engineering environments.
- Experience supporting and improving existing products in manufacturing or industrial equipment environments.
Knowledge of sheet metal, castings, plastics, manufacturing processes, and Design for Manufacturability (DFM). - Experience implementing KPIs, metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Background in root cause analysis, corrective actions, and process improvement.
- Demonstrated success leading teams, developing talent, and driving accountability.
- Experience balancing competing priorities and managing multiple stakeholder demands.
- Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage
- Industry-leading profit-sharing program with Safe Harbor contribution
- Generous paid time off
- Paid parental leave
- Onsite fitness and recreation center
- Career advancement and professional development opportunities
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