Manager, VAVE

Overall Scope:

The Manager, HW VAVE Engineering is a hands-on working manager responsible for both leading a multidisciplinary team (electrical and mechanical VAVE engineers) and directly executing high-impact VAVE projects as an individual contributor. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of electrical and mechanical engineers focused on value analysis/value engineering for released products. This role is accountable for building and executing the VAVE roadmap to deliver measurable cost reduction, supply continuity, lifecycle sustainment, and manufacturability improvements-while maintaining product performance, reliability, quality, and regulatory compliance.

The role combines people leadership, technical governance, and cross-functional execution across engineering, sourcing, operations, quality, and supplier partners.

Responsibilities:

* Lead and develop a team of electrical and mechanical VAVE engineers while setting clear priorities and accountability.
* Act as a hands-on working manager by directly owning and executing high-impact VAVE projects.
* Deliver annual VAVE targets (team + individual) for cost reduction, obsolescence mitigation, and supply continuity.

* Identify, prioritize, and drive VAVE opportunities including BOM optimization, part standardization, alternate sourcing, and design simplification.
* Provide technical leadership on electrical and mechanical changes, ensuring fit/form/function, reliability, and manufacturability are maintained.
* Define and execute validation plans; resolve technical issues through structured root-cause and corrective actions.
* Collaborate with sourcing, quality, operations, and suppliers to implement approved changes into production.
* Ensure high-quality ECO/ECN documentation and smooth release execution from approval to plant implementation.
* Track and report delivery metrics (savings, cycle time, implementation status, quality impact, and risk reduction).
* Communicate project status, risks, and recovery actions clearly to cross-functional teams and leadership.

Requirements:

* Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering.
* 8+ years of experience in electronic hardware design, sustaining engineering, or VAVE-focused product engineering.
* 3+ years of people leadership experience, with demonstrated success as a player-coach/working manager.

* Proven record of personally delivering technical projects tied to measurable cost reduction and lifecycle outcomes.
* Strong expertise in both electrical and mechanical change impact assessment.
* Experience with ECO/ECN, validation, production release, and supplier qualification processes.
* Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with operations, sourcing, quality, and suppliers.
* Hybrid in Austin, TX (4 days onsite), up to 15% travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Experience in regulated electromechanical products is desired but not required (e.g., fuel dispensing, payment, industrial equipment).
* Knowledge of DFM/DFA/DFX, should-cost methods, FMEA/8D, and design validation tools.
* Familiarity with PLM and ECAD/MCAD systems.
* Experience with compliance impacts (UL, EMC/EMI, environmental requirements as applicable).

Essential Functions:

* Lead the VAVE team's daily work to hit cost, quality, and lifecycle goals.
* Be a hands-on manager who also delivers technical projects directly.
* Plan and complete VAVE projects from idea to production rollout.

* Manage teams both locally and remotely, ensuring consistent communication, engagement, and performance.
* Coach team members, assign work, and ensure accountability.
* Find and prioritize opportunities for cost savings, simplification, and risk reduction.
* Review engineering changes to ensure quality, reliability, and manufacturability.
* Define and run validation/testing to protect fit, form, and function.
* Partner with sourcing, quality, manufacturing, and suppliers to implement changes.
* Manage supplier support for alternate parts and material qualifications.
* Maintain accurate ECO/ECN documentation and follow change-control processes.
* Track KPIs (savings, timing, quality, risk) and report progress clearly.
* Raise risks early and drive corrective actions to stay on target.

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