Vice President of Engineering

Who We Are:
♿️ Redefining mobility since 1987 
🚗 Leading manufacturer and retailer of wheelchair-accessible vehicles
📍 Nationwide, family-owned & operated, headquartered in Battle Creek, MI

COMPANY DESCRIPTION:
Freedom Motors USA is a nationwide, family-owned and operated company, headquartered in Battle Creek, MI, and the leading manufacturer and retailer of wheelchair-accessible vehicles with the widest-ranging product line in the United States. Founded in 1987, we focus on providing customized options for the unique needs of our customers.
POSITION SUMMARY:
We're hiring a Vice President of Engineering to lead the team that designs, validates, and continuously improves our vehicle conversions. This is a hands-on leadership role at a company small enough that you'll know every product intimately, and established enough that your decisions carry real weight across the business. You'll own the full engineering function: new conversion platform development from concept through crash validation and launch, sustaining engineering on our current lineup, and the design-for-manufacturability work that keeps our production floor efficient. You'll also be the technical voice in the room when we decide which OEM platforms to take on next.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Develop, lead, mentor, and grow the engineering team in disciplines related to design, electrical, testing, and manufacturing.
• Oversee the product development process end to end, from concept and CAD through prototype, validation testing, and production launch.
• Serve as the company's technical authority on regulatory compliance, including applicable FMVSS requirements, NHTSA standards, emissions regulations, and more.
• Responsible for our crash testing and structural validation programs in coordination with outside vendors as needed.
• Partner with Production team to improve manufacturability, reduce conversion time, and lower rework costs without compromising safety or quality.
• Evaluate new OEM base vehicles and advise leadership on feasibility, cost, and timeline for bringing new conversions to market.
• Oversee the engineering team’s documentation, drawing control, BOMs, and change management.
• Work with the Quality team on root cause analysis, corrective actions, and field issue resolution.
• Support Sales and Service with technical expertise on custom and commercial builds.
• Set the engineering budget, capital plan, and hiring roadmap.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Automotive, Manufacturing, or a related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of engineering experience in automotive, vehicle modification, upfitter, commercial vehicle, or a related manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years leading engineering teams with a track record of developing and growing talent. Previous experience as a Director or Head of Engineering is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience taking a physical product from concept through validation and into production.
• Working knowledge of FMVSS and the compliance obligations that apply to vehicle modifiers or second-stage manufacturers. 
• Familiarity with crash testing, structural analysis and validation processes.
• Strong command of 3D CAD (SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar) and structural analysis fundamentals.
• Experience with DFMEA, PPAP, GD&T, and formal design review processes.
• Ability to move between the conference room and the shop floor as this role requires being present where the vehicles are.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

This job description is meant to provide an overview of the duties and responsibilities of this position. It is not intended to be an all-inclusive listing.