Design Engineering Manager

Company Overview Nifco America, Corp. is a leading global supplier of plastic fasteners, serving diverse industries such as automotive, electronics, telecommunications, home appliances, office equipment, and fashion. We specialize in the design and manufacturing of custom injection-molded plastic components and assemblies, driving innovation and quality across markets worldwide.

Job Summary:

An experienced and strategic Design Manager is responsible for leading the product design and product development function. As a key member of the engineering leadership team, this role manages and supervises product design and development staff, both directly and through subordinate engineering leaders. The Design Manager plays a critical role in ensuring effective design execution, supporting product development objectives, and aligning design activities with organizational and customer requirements. As a leader within this organization, they are to adhere to the Nifco NA Leadership Commitment as stated; "I set the standard by prioritizing Safety, Quality, and Culture. As a steward of WH2, it is my responsibility to model these principles. My role requires that I build strong customer relationships and respond proactively to their needs; lead change initiatives to improve efficiency and adaptability; promote collaboration, transparency and accountability across the organization; and develop my team members through mentorship and constructive feedback. By striving to lead in this manner, I position the organization for sustainable growth and profitability."

Key Responsibilities:

All Levels:

Design Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a key advisor to designers, supervisors, and team leads on innovative product design concepts and solutions.
• Support new business development by providing design input and technical support to the Sales team.
• Participate in and facilitate market research activities to support new product development and innovation.
• Align product design activities with customer requirements, business objectives, and organizational strategy. Product Design & Development Execution
• Act as a technical checker and provide design guidance throughout the development of assigned parts.
• Ensure designs meet all functional, manufacturing, and quality requirements prior to release to production.
• Serve as the final design checker to minimize design errors before production handoff.
• Support timely submission of complete and accurate design documentation to the production team. Engineering Tools, Systems & Technical Support
• Support and advise staff in creating, manipulating, and reviewing 3D data and solid models.
• Guide staff in the use of CAE tools, including FEA and Moldflow, to validate design strength and plastic flow.
• Assist with sketching, conceptual modeling, and creation of rough models for new product concepts.
• Advise on material selection and interpretation of customer material specifications. Quality, Compliance & Risk Management
• Utilize DFMEA and control plans to support collaboration with quality teams.
• Guide staff in verifying design compliance with customer requirements and defining countermeasures when necessary.
• Provide expertise in understanding and interpreting existing patents.
• Support design modifications to ensure patent compliance and identify opportunities for new patentable features. Budgeting, Quoting & Business Support
• Understand and support budget planning for new projects and engineering changes.
• Provide design input to support quoting activities and business case development.
• Assist Sales and program teams during customer negotiations as needed. Customer & Plant Support
• Provide customer design support through meetings, hand sketches, drawings, and digital data exchange.
• Support production plants through local and onsite activity to resolve design-related issues.
• Travel offsite as required, including overnight visits to customers and other plants. People Leadership & Development
• Interview, train, and evaluate product design and development staff.
• Coach and mentor staff on technical skills, documentation standards, and design best practices.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance design team culture focused on quality, innovation, and accountability. Design Manager - Level I
• Executes product design projects and supports day‑to‑day engineering operations.
• Provides technical guidance and design review support to the team.
• Supports quoting, budgeting, and new project planning with guidance.
• Manages individual contributors and small teams.
• Focuses on developing leadership, communication, and cross‑functional skills. Senior Design Manager - Level II
• Acts as a strategic advisor on design direction, complexity, and risk.
• Leads cross‑functional collaboration with sales, quality, manufacturing, and customers.
• Owns major product development programs and design strategy execution.
• Drives improvements in design processes, standards, and CAE utilization.
• Develops team training plans and succession readiness.
• Influences business decisions through design innovation and cost optimization. Regional Design Manager - Level III
• Defines long‑term design and innovation strategy aligned with business growth plans
• Advises executive leadership on product design risks, opportunities, and technology direction.
• Oversees multiple programs, sites, or regions.
• Champions enterprise‑wide design standards, best practices, and innovation processes.
• Develops future talent pipelines and leadership succession.
• Represents design leadership in global or corporate initiatives. Qualifications (All Levels): Experience

Level I:

5-7 years product design and development experience.

Level II:

7-10 years progressive design engineering experience with team leadership.

Level III:

10+ years design engineering experience with multi‑program or multi‑site leadership. Education

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering Degree or equivalent degree or experience Skills & Competencies
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Must demonstrate effective leadership qualities.
• Strong interpersonal/communication skills to interact effectively with customers and other Nifco personnel.
• Strong knowledge of CATIA and familiarity with SolidWorks, Moldflow, CAE preferred.
• Strong knowledge of injection molding and manufacturing methods preferred.
• Willing to travel and work via occasional overnight trips.
• Ability to multitask effectively. Work effectively in a team environment.
• Licensed driver with a safe driving record.

Join us to lead innovative mechanical projects that shape the future of our industry! We're committed to empowering our team members with the tools they need to succeed while fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Relocation assistance Vision insurance Application Question(s): Are you located in the Canal Winchester, OH, Troy, MI, or Shelbyville, KY area?

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

Product design and development: 5 years (Required) Plastics injection molding: 5 years (Required) Toyota and Nissan customer requirements: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person