Manager - Vehicle Development Engineering

Our OEM Client based in Bruntingthorpe, Lutterworth, has a Manager – Vehicle Development Engineering vacancy where professionals who apply should have extensive motorcycle and / or automotive experience. This position is on a permanent basis.

Job Purpose:

Working in the Product Vehicle Design & Development team, you will form part of the Chassis Engineering team within the Global Technical Organisation managing the design, delivery and development of Chassis Parts across the complete motorcycle.

The Chassis Engineering team is split into 3 sub functions, Aesthetics, Dynamics, Structures. As a manager within one of these sub functions, you would be responsible for the engineering, delivery, design and development to meet the project's cost, weight and specifications. This role requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams like Product Strategy, Industrial Design, Powertrain designers, Sourcing, Quality, and internal/external manufacturing representatives.

The job will require excellent communication to manage a team across UK and India locations. Good workload management and prioritisation are required to support work on multiple new models ensuring robust on time delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the engineering team for the development and validation of components within 1 of the 3 sub functions, Aesthetics, Dynamics and Structures, across all new models.
• Conduct daily flow meetings with the team to manage operational execution and workload.
• Ensure performance, safety, and regulatory compliance within the New Product Introduction (NPI) framework.
• Ensure the development of 3D CAD models (PTC Creo) and 2D engineering drawings to meet cost, quality and specification targets.
• Evaluate designs with the CAE team to optimize performance against input requirements.
• Manage the creation and release of the engineering Bills of Materials (eBOM) in PLM.
• Oversee detailed design checking, drawing quality, and component specifications.
• Verification and checking of Design Review (DR) supporting documentation to ensure all necessary technical details are included.
• Oversee and release Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) for assigned aggregates
• Create and distribute updated design guidelines to drive standardization and knowledge sharing.
• Testing & Problem Solving, manage component and system testing by joint DVP development, addressing potential failure modes, benchmarking, and conducting failure analysis.
• Manage design changes and ensure lessons learned are systematically incorporated into every design release.
• Supplier & Manufacturing Interface, work directly with external suppliers to ensure closure of DFM (Design for Manufacturability) and PFR (Process Failure Review) points.
• Coordinate with Vehicle Integration (VI), Program Management, Homologation, Sourcing, Quality, and Assembly teams to align inputs, project timelines, and regulatory mandates.
• Liaise with internal departments such as, Product Strategy, Industrial Design, Sourcing, Vehicle Dynamics, Manufacturing, Quality and Assembly to align project requirements.
• Manage any contractors or technicians allocated to help with development activities.
• Reasonable for the development and training of the team, providing guidance to other team members where required.

Essential Skills, Experience and Knowledge Required:

• 10-15 years’ Experience in OEM / similar domain with hands-on CAD experience preferably ProE - Creo, other CAD systems considered.
• Experience of effectively managing a team.
• A demonstrable track record in engineering design of components and subassemblies across the complete motorcycle.
• Sound knowledge of manufacturing processes
• Past experience in analysis and optimisation of components and subassemblies is preferred.
• Experience in designing to regulatory requirements as applied to motorcycles is preferred.
• Experience in vehicle development and component validation testing.
• Good understanding of materials, their application and manufacturing methods.
• Good knowledge of rapid prototyping methods and their constraints.
• Knowledge / interest in Chassis Development and testing.

Essential Education Required:

• Qualified to Engineering degree B.E (Mechanical/Automobile) - alternative degrees will be considered based on experience.

Preferred Skills, Experience and Knowledge Requested:

• Literate in Google Suite / MS Office software.
• Experience / knowledge of CREO 3D CAD software is advantageous.
• Understanding of PLM systems.
• Practical experience of vehicle maintenance and preparation is advantageous.
• Good understanding of motorcycle geometry, chassis layout, ergonomics and chassis construction.