Staff Engineer - P&A Product Category Specialist

Job Summary

Staff Engineers are responsible for the design, development, and delivery of motorcycle components and systems using robust engineering practices and Harley-Davidson product development methodology. At the Staff level, Engineers are expected to provide strategic technical leadership to deliver performance, style, quality, cost, durability, manufacturing, and timing objectives for their assigned category parts.
This role works collaboratively with industrial design, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, service, regulatory, and worldwide supplier partners.

Job Responsibilities

• Design, optimize, and deliver motorcycle components and systems from concept through production, applying sound engineering fundamentals, analysis, and testing.
• Define and manage component or system requirements and ensure alignment with vehicle performance, customer needs, and project objectives.
• Support MY fitment activities and new model planning/reviews, ensuring P&A requirements, compatibility, and integration are considered throughout the vehicle development process.
• Create and release CAD models, assemblies, drawings, and technical documentation.
• Plan and execute validation activities, including DFMEAs, DVP&Rs, testing, and resolution of technical issues.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, Vehicle PLEs, Systems, suppliers, and other stakeholders to resolve complex technical, manufacturing, quality, and business problems.
• Provide project estimations, including engineering scope, timing, resources, and technical complexity, to support portfolio and project planning.
• Support sourcing, supplier development, and production readiness activities.
• Provide field support and technical responses to customer and Service inquiries, helping identify issues, determine root causes, and drive effective solutions.
• Communicate technical status, risks, requirements, and recommendations clearly across functions and levels of the organization.
• Serve as a P&A technical subject-matter expert, promoting P&A best practices, engineering standards, and design guidelines across projects and teams.
• Contribute to continuous improvement through knowledge sharing, guideline development, and implementation of engineering and P&A best practices.
• Mentor and support engineers & designers, providing technical guidance, coaching, and opportunities for development.
• Facilitate effective cross-functional communication to ensure alignment between Engineering, Product, Service, Manufacturing, Sales, and other key stakeholders throughout the product life cycle.

Education Requirements

Education Specifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field is required
  
  • Master’s degree in engineering or related field preferred

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of professional engineering experience, with significant hands-on experience in product development.
• Deep subject matter expertise in at least one P&A category: Fit/Function, Style, Electrical, or Performance.
• Strong technical depth in current vehicle technologies and awareness of emerging technologies, with the ability to influence future product and platform direction.
• Well-rounded engineering experience spanning mechanical design, project management, product development, and continuous improvement.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials, motorcycle vehicle systems, and assembly processes.
• Proficiency with CAD tools, preferably Pro-E/Creo, with demonstrated ability to develop and maintain accurate production designs.
• Demonstrated experience supporting MY fitments, new model planning, and vehicle/product reviews.
• Experience developing project and engineering estimates, including scope, timing, resources, and technical complexity.
• Proven success solving challenging technical problems with innovative solutions in a cross-functional team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical information and influence decisions across Engineering, Product, Manufacturing, Service, Suppliers, and other functions.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical support, including responding to Customer and Service inquiries and driving root-cause resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute test plans to verify project requirements.
• Experience working with suppliers and supporting production launch activities, including PPAP.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop engineers and share P&A best practices, engineering standards, and design guidelines.
• Demonstrated success directly or indirectly leading diverse/global teams to accomplish technical, quality, and timing commitments.

Preferred Experience

• Motorcycle riding experience or strong interest is appreciated.
• Knowledge of product development and delivery in a highly discretionary, consumer-centric industry.