Manager - Engineering, Wellness

Location: Kohler

Manager - Engineering, Wellness

Work Mode:
Onsite

Location:

 Onsite, four days per week - Kohler, WI

Opportunity

Kohler is transforming everyday routines into restorative wellness rituals. We are seeking a visionary Engineering Manager to lead the development of next-generation wellness products that deliver measurable physical, mental, and sensory benefits.

In this role, you will lead a team of engineers responsible for designing innovative, high-performance products that elevate Kohler Wellness experiences. You will drive the integration of engineering excellence with user-centered wellness outcomes-balancing speed, quality, and innovation to deliver category-defining solutions.

This hands-on leader will guide teams through Kohler's New Product Development process, owning product integrity from concept through launch and lifecycle. Success requires a blend of technical mastery, talent development, and the ability to translate emerging wellness insights into differentiated product experiences.

HOW YOU'LL CONTRIBUTE

Lead & Inspire Wellness Innovation

* Build and mentor a high-performing, diverse engineering team focused on delivering products that enhance physical recovery, relaxation, and overall wellbeing

* Foster a culture of ownership, experimentation, and continuous learning to unlock new wellness-driven solutions.

Advance Engineering Excellence for Wellbeing

* Lead by doing and example. Champion robust design practices that ensure safety, performance, and consistent delivery of intended wellness benefits

* Apply engineering rigor to validate indeded outcomes

* Proactively identify and mitigate technical risks

Deliver Transformational Wellness Products

* Drive execution within the stage-gate development process, ensuring speed to market without compromising quality

* Translate complex wellness needs into clear engineering requirements and product specifications

* Enable confident, data-driven decision making across the development lifecycle

Optimize the Product Experience Across Its Lifecycle

* Continuously improve products to enhance performance, reliability, cost, and user experience

* Ensure post-launch insights are captured and translated into meaningful product evolution

Stay Ahead of the Wellness Landscape

* Maintain deep awareness of emerging wellness trends, recovery science, and competitive innovations

* Act as the technical authority for the wellness product portfolio, identifying opportunities for differentiation

Think Strategically

* Enable scalable design strategies for global deployment

Build Cross-Functional Alignment

* Collaborate closely with Marketing, Industrial Design, Manufacturing, Quality, and Program Management to deliver cohesive, high-impact solutions

* Ensure the customer and user experience remain central to all engineering decisions

Champion Sustainable Wellbeing

* Design with intention-minimizing environmental impact while maximizing human benefit

* Advance water, energy, and material efficiency without compromising product performance or experience

SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS

* Manage a dynamic portfolio of engineering work aligned to wellness innovation priorities

* Balance resources and assign work based on business impact and team capability

* Establish clear objectives that align engineering performance with broader business and wellness goals

* Lead performance management and development planning for team members

* Define and validate product requirements spanning customer needs, regulatory standards, and engineering performance

* Review and approve key technical deliverables with a focus on functional integrity and user outcomes

* Drive continuous improvement across tools, processes, and product designs

Lead cost optimization initiatives while preserving product experience and quality

* Collaborate globally to support product launches and lifecycle management across regions

* Communicate technical insights clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences

* Travel as needed to engage with suppliers, customers, and global teams

Skills/Requirements

* Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (ABET accredited)

* 7+ years of product design engineering experience and 3+ years of experience coaching…