Director of Product Engineering

HFI is seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Product Engineering to lead our global product engineering organization. This leadership role is responsible for driving engineering excellence across the full product lifecycle, from customer quotation and product development through production launch and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative engineering leader with a strong background in automotive manufacturing who is passionate about developing high-performing teams, delivering innovative products, and building standardized engineering processes that support business growth and customer success.

This position is open in the following HFI locations:

• Troy, Michigan (USA)
• Canal Winchester, Ohio (USA)
• Mexico

• Provide strategic leadership for Product Engineering, Product Development, Prototype Engineering, and Technical Administration.
• Lead engineering activities from RFQ through production launch, ensuring successful execution of customer programs.
• Drive engineering strategy that aligns with HFI's business objectives and long-term growth.
• Partner with Program Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Sales, and Operations to deliver innovative, manufacturable, and cost-effective solutions.
• Lead product feasibility reviews, Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Value Engineering initiatives.
• Establish standardized engineering processes, design standards, and best practices across multiple HFI locations.
• Champion APQP deliverables including DFMEA, DVP&R, engineering change management, and product release processes.
• Build and develop high-performing engineering teams through coaching, mentoring, workforce planning, and succession planning.
• Serve as the senior engineering representative with OEM and Tier 1 customers during technical reviews and new business opportunities.
• Monitor engineering KPIs and drive continuous improvement, digital engineering, automation, and AI initiatives.
• Support manufacturing operations by providing technical leadership to resolve complex engineering and production challenges.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of automotive engineering experience, including at least 5 years leading engineering teams or organizations.
• Experience with automotive interior products such as foam, Foam-in-Place, sewn trim, wrapped components, or related assemblies is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of APQP, DFMEA, PFMEA, DVP&R, GD&T, CAD systems, and engineering change management.
• Proven ability to lead multiple complex programs in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Spanish language skills are a plus.

At HFI, you'll have the opportunity to influence the future of product engineering while working alongside talented teams dedicated to innovation, quality, and continuous improvement. This is a highly visible leadership role with the opportunity to shape engineering strategy, mentor future leaders, and support programs for leading automotive customers around the world.

Travel: Up to 25% domestic and international travel to support HFI facilities, customers, and suppliers.