ECHO Incorporated is an industry leader in developing and manufacturing high-performance, professional-grade, handheld outdoor power equipment as well as Industrial Power Equipment, and Robotics solutions. With distributors and thousands of dealers across North and South America, ECHO is constantly anticipating the future of the outdoor power equipment industry, and the need for environmental sustainability. Working for ECHO means joining a team of people who are committed to collaboration, innovation, creativity, and high-quality products that make us a globally competitive brand.
ECHO is seeking an experienced Engineering Manager to lead a high-performing team responsible for the development, enhancement, integration, and lifecycle management of outdoor power equipment products. This role provides strategic and technical leadership across product design, component selection, cost reduction initiatives, manufacturability improvements, quality enhancements, and new product introductions.
The Engineering Manager partners closely with Product Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Sourcing, and Yamabiko engineering teams to deliver innovative, reliable, and cost-effective products that meet customer expectations while achieving performance, safety, and business objectives. The ideal candidate will combine strong engineering expertise with proven leadership skills to drive continuous improvement, foster collaboration, and support ECHO’s long-term product strategy.
The salary range for this role begins at $145,000. Final compensation will be based on relevant experience, skills, and qualifications.
This is an onsite role at our Lake Zurich facility.
ECHO’s benefits include:
- 11 paid holidays
- Extremely affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid PTO
- 5% 401K match
- Tuition Reimbursement
Duties/Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of design and project engineers to achieve department and company objectives.
- Oversee the development, integration, and validation of mechanical components and assemblies from concept through production, ensuring alignment with performance, manufacturability, quality, and cost objectives.
- Drive technical evaluation and implementation of engineering changes to improve reliability, quality, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives within the engineering team to improve product quality, reduce costs, and increase manufacturability,
- Manage project timelines, priorities, and deliverables to align with business goals.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of design and project engineers to achieve department and company objectives.
- Foster collaboration and communication across engineering, product management, manufacturing, quality, and sourcing teams. This role also will be responsible for facilitating communication with ECHO’s Japanese parent company – Yamabiko.
- Oversee the design and development of mechanical components and assemblies from concept through production.
- Participate in design reviews, providing expert technical guidance and ensuring adherence to engineering best practices.
- Ensure all designs meet performance, safety, cost, and manufacturability requirements.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives within the engineering team to enhance efficiency and innovation.
- Manage project timelines, priorities, and deliverables to align with business goals.
Product Development & Engineering Excellence
- Lead engineering reviews and provide technical guidance to ensure designs, component selections, and product modifications meet established engineering standards, customer requirements, and manufacturing capabilities.
- Ensure products and engineering changes meet performance, safety, quality, cost, and manufacturability requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
- Lead engineering support for product enhancements, feature improvements, cost reduction initiatives, and component obsolescence management.
- Serve as a key contributor in product sourcing, component selection, make-versus-buy decisions, and overall product lifecycle management activities.
- Support the successful development, launch, and sustainment of new and existing products.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Foster collaboration and communication across engineering, product management, manufacturing, quality, and sourcing teams. This role also will be responsible for facilitating communication with ECHO’s Japanese parent company – Yamabiko.
- Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Sourcing, and Product Management teams to ensure successful product launches and ongoing product performance.
- Lead engineering support for product enhancements, feature improvements, cost reduction initiatives, and component obsolescence management.
- Collaborate with global engineering teams and suppliers to integrate third-party technologies, components, and systems into finished products.
- Lead engineering reviews and provide technical guidance to ensure designs, component selections, and product modifications meet established engineering standards, customer requirements, and manufacturing capabilities.
- Facilitate effective communication and technical collaboration with ECHO's parent company, Yamabiko, to align product development priorities, engineering standards, and business objectives.
Job Experience/Skills:
- Required 3–5 years of direct supervisory or management experience leading engineering teams.
- Proficiency in SolidWorks (and ability to demonstrate), including 3D modeling, assemblies, technical drawings, and best practices.
- Expertise in engineering design principles, mechanical systems, design for manufacturing, injection molding, metal components, and related manufacturing processes.
- Excellent communication skills in English, with the ability to lead meetings, collaborate cross-functionally, and communicate effectively with internal and external partners.
- Experience with engineering change systems (ECR/ECO), ERP systems, and BOM workflows.
- Demonstrated success in leading design teams and delivering problem solving solutions for challenging engineering projects.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Travel: Domestic and international travel may be required as needed.
Equal Opportunity Employment:
We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants.
E-Verification:
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.