Product Engineering Manager At New Manufacturing Venture

JOB SUMMARY

The Product Engineering Manager is responsible for overseeing and leading a team of mechanical design engineers in the development and execution of innovative and efficient mechanical designs for various products. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand project requirements, define design goals, and ensure compliance with technical specifications and industry standards. This role involves managing the entire design process, from concept to prototyping and final production. The ideal candidate should possess strong leadership skills, a solid background in manufacturing engineering, and a proven track record of successful project management.

ABOUT SOLA IMPACT & Model/Z

SoLa Impact is a real estate private equity firm with a double bottom line strategy focused on preserving, rehabbing, and building high-quality affordable housing in Black and brown communities. SoLa is Southern California's largest for-profit affordable housing developer and is currently in construction on over 2,000 affordable housing units across Southern California. SoLa currently owns and manages over $1.2 billion of multifamily assets, almost all of which are in low-income, Black and brown communities.

SoLa's new venture affiliate is reinventing multifamily housing creation by building the first and only standardized modular housing factory. The new venture platform is a comprehensive manufacturing system designed, engineered, and built to consistently produce a high-quality, low-cost, net-zero ready, and most importantly, standardized, modular housing product. The new venture is a Black-owned and operated business based in Southern California that will deliver between 1,000 – 1,500 modular housing units per year by 2025. We offer a rapidly growing, fast-paced environment which is intellectually challenging and extremely rewarding and fulfilling as we collectively aim to solve California's housing crisis.

Requirements

1. Lead and mentor a team of mechanical design engineers, providing guidance and fostering a collaborative work environment.

2. Develop and implement design strategies to meet project goals, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.

3. Collaborate with other departments, such as R&D, manufacturing, and quality assurance, to integrate mechanical designs seamlessly into the overall product development process.

4. Conduct thorough reviews of design concepts, prototypes, and final products to ensure they meet technical, safety, and regulatory requirements.

5. Manage project timelines, resource allocation, and budgets to achieve efficient and timely delivery of high-quality designs.

6. Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and advancements in mechanical engineering to drive innovation within the team.

7. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging the exploration of new methodologies and tools to enhance the design process.

8. Act as a liaison between the engineering team and upper management, providing regular updates on project statuses, challenges, and potential solutions.

9. Resolve technical issues and challenges, utilizing strong problem-solving skills and technical expertise.

10. Uphold and promote a strong commitment to quality, reliability, and excellence in mechanical design engineering.

11. Implement and oversee the setup of a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system to streamline design processes, improve collaboration, and enhance overall product development efficiency.

12. Collaborate with IT and software teams to integrate the PLM system seamlessly into existing workflows, ensuring a smooth transition and optimal utilization of the platform.

13. Develop and enforce PLM best practices, standards, and documentation protocols to maintain data integrity and consistency across the organization.

14. Lead training sessions for the engineering team on PLM system usage, ensuring all team members are proficient in utilizing the platform to its full potential.

15. Oversee engineering change management processes, including the evaluation, documentation, and implementation of design changes to existing products.

16. Establish and enforce robust change control procedures to minimize the impact of modifications on project timelines, costs, and product quality.

17. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess the impact of engineering changes on manufacturing, supply chain, and quality assurance processes.

18. Maintain a comprehensive record of all engineering changes, ensuring accurate documentation and traceability throughout the product lifecycle.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Proven experience in mechanical design, with a focus on product development.
• Previous leadership or management experience leading a team of engineers.
• Strong knowledge of CAD software and PLM systems and other relevant engineering tools.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• In-depth understanding of manufacturing processes and materials.
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulations related to mechanical engineering.

Benefits

SoLa Impact offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as pet insurance, sick leave, 10 paid holidays, and bereavement days. This package is designed to provide employees with a range of important benefits that help to support their physical and emotional well-being, while also providing financial protection and peace of mind.

At SoLa Impact, we believe the work environment, culture, and the opportunity to learn and grow are key elements when considering a new job. We are just the right size to provide the resources and support you need without the bureaucracy of a large corporate environment. We foster a family-friendly and supportive workplace, collaborative and employee-focused with an emphasis on quality, integrity, trust, and accountability. We are looking to bring someone on board as soon as possible. We provide a rewarding and challenging environment. We expect a lot, but give a lot in return. Strongly prefer candidates local to Los Angeles as no relocation assistance will be provided. All qualified candidates will be contacted directly.

SoLa Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SoLa does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.