Design Manager

Description

American Equipment is a leading manufacturer of industrial overhead cranes, hoists, and material handling systems. We operate in an Engineer-to-Order (ETO) environment where custom-designed solutions are developed to meet unique customer requirements across a variety of industries.

We are seeking an experienced and results-oriented Design Manager to lead our Mechanical and Electrical Design teams based in Salt Lake City, Utah. This position reports directly to the Chief Engineer and is responsible for the performance, development, and technical leadership of a multidisciplinary design organization supporting the engineering and manufacturing of custom overhead crane systems.

The ideal candidate has demonstrated success leading design organizations through digital transformation initiatives, particularly transitioning teams from traditional 2D drafting environments to advanced 3D design and modeling platforms. This individual will play a critical role in developing team capabilities, improving engineering efficiency, standardizing design processes, and supporting the growth of American Equipment's engineering organization.

Essential Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and mentor Mechanical and Electrical Design personnel to achieve individual and organizational objectives.
• Establish performance expectations, conduct performance evaluations, and create employee development plans.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, retention, and succession planning efforts.
• Ensure team resources are appropriately allocated to support project schedules and business priorities.
• Drive employee engagement and professional growth across the design organization.

2D to 3D Design Transformation

• Lead and champion the organization's migration from 2D drafting workflows to 3D design and modeling methodologies.
• Develop and implement training plans that successfully transition designers to modern 3D design tools and practices.
• Establish standards, best practices, templates, and workflows for 3D modeling and drawing generation.
• Promote adoption of engineering technologies that improve design quality, efficiency, and collaboration.
• Measure and report progress regarding digital transformation initiatives and team competency development.

Design & Engineering Management

• Provide technical oversight for all Mechanical and Electrical design activities supporting custom overhead crane projects.
• Ensure design deliverables meet customer requirements, engineering standards, safety regulations, and manufacturing needs.
• Review and approve design packages, models, drawings, and engineering documentation.
• Support engineering reviews, problem-solving efforts, and risk assessments throughout the project lifecycle.
• Partner closely with Project Management, Manufacturing, Procurement, Quality, and Service teams to ensure successful project execution.

Engineer-to-Order Business Support

• Lead design teams in a fast-paced Engineer-to-Order manufacturing environment where designs are customized for specific customer applications.
• Balance standardization opportunities with project-specific customization requirements.
• Improve engineering throughput while maintaining high levels of quality and responsiveness.
• Work with the Chief Engineer to develop scalable design processes that support business growth and operational excellence.
• Support value engineering, design-for-manufacturability, and cost-reduction initiatives.

Process Improvement

• Develop and maintain engineering design standards and procedures.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor team productivity, drawing quality, design cycle times, and project execution.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, and digital engineering capabilities.
• Identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and process optimization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of engineering design experience in manufacturing, industrial equipment, material handling, or a related industry.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing design teams.
• Proven experience leading the successful transition of personnel from 2D drafting to 3D design environments.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary Mechanical and Electrical Design teams.
• Strong understanding of engineering documentation, CAD standards, and configuration control processes.
• Experience with modern CAD platforms such as SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, AutoCAD, or similar software.
• Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, and organizational skills.
• Strong project management and problem-solving capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within the overhead crane, material handling, heavy industrial equipment, structural steel, or custom manufacturing industries.
• Familiarity with Engineer-to-Order manufacturing operations.
• Experience implementing Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and digital engineering initiatives.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license preferred.

Key Competencies

• Leadership & Team Development
• Performance Management
• Change Management
• 3D Design Transformation
• Mechanical & Electrical Design Leadership
• Engineer-to-Order Manufacturing
• Strategic Planning
• Continuous Improvement
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Technical Mentorship
• Resource Planning & Execution

Success Measures

The successful Design Manager will:

• Build and maintain a high-performing Mechanical and Electrical Design organization.
• Successfully accelerate the transition from 2D drafting practices to 3D design and model-based workflows.
• Improve engineering productivity, drawing quality, and project execution performance.
• Support American Equipment's growth through scalable engineering processes and talented team development.
• Serve as a trusted leader and strategic partner to the Chief Engineer in advancing the capabilities of the engineering organization.

What we offer:

• Cigna Health Insurance (Kaiser in CA)
• Front loaded 56 hours sick time and vacation time
• FSA & HSA healthcare employer contribution
• Critical Illness, Accidental, and Hospital Indemnity Plans
• Dental and Vision Plans
• Company paid STD & LTD Disability Insurance
• Educational and Tuition Reimbursement
• Maternity (12-wks) and Paternity leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic & Voluntary Life AD&D
• 4% 401k Employer Match, with 6% of your Contribution
• Company vacation time and 56 hours Front Loaded Sick Time
• Company provided PPE

Work Environment

This is a full-time position; typical work hours and days are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5pm.

Hybrid work- 4 days in office / 1 day from home.

American Equipment is a comprehensive solutions provider for everything related to customers’ overhead crane and hoist needs, including new and replacement equipment, system modernizations, parts, preventative maintenance and repair services and training. American Equipment was founded in 1969 and serves thousands of customers across a variety of end markets, including light & heavy industrial, automation, mining, public utilities, government, aerospace & defense, and energy.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Proof of right to lawfully work in the United States required.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status