For more than 35 years, Premier Trailer Manufacturing, Inc. has been designing and manufacturing premium transportation equipment for customers throughout North America. Our manufacturing campus is located in California's Central Valley.
Premier Trailer Manufacturing is the leading manufacturer of double semi-trailers for the agriculture and supply chain industries and is ranked among the Top 20 chassis manufacturers in North America, earning a reputation for building durable, high-quality products that perform in the most demanding agricultural and commercial transportation environments.
Summary
Premier Trailer Manufacturing, Inc. is seeking an experienced Director of Product Development & Engineering to establish and lead a newly created engineering organization dedicated to designing, developing, and launching the next generation of transportation equipment, rather than simply supporting existing products.
This is a unique opportunity to build and shape a new engineering organization, assemble a talented multidisciplinary team, and lead the design, engineering, prototype development, testing, and production launch of innovative products that will shape the future of our company.
The Director of Product Development & Engineering will provide the leadership, vision, and technical expertise necessary to establish Premier's Product Development & Engineering Division.
Reporting directly to executive leadership, this individual will lead the development of new trailer platforms, intermodal chassis, specialty transportation equipment, and manufacturing innovations while building a high-performing engineering and prototype development team.
This position combines strategic leadership with hands-on product development and requires someone who enjoys collaborating with engineers, designers, prototype fabricators, manufacturing personnel, customers, and suppliers.
Responsibilities
- As Director, you'll lead the development of a multidisciplinary team consisting of: Senior Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical CAD Designer (SolidWorks), Lead Prototype Development Fabricators, and Journeyman Prototype Fabricators.
- Establish and lead Premier's Product Development & Engineering Division.
- Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing engineering and prototype development team.
- Lead the design and development of new transportation equipment from concept through production.
- Oversee engineering design, CAD development, prototype fabrication, testing, validation, and manufacturing implementation.
- Develop engineering standards, documentation, and product development procedures.
- Drive innovation while maintaining practical, production-ready solutions.
- Collaborate with Sales, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Operations, and Executive Leadership to develop products that meet customer needs.
- Evaluate new materials, manufacturing technologies, automation opportunities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Improve product quality, manufacturability, and production efficiency.
- Manage engineering priorities, project schedules, budgets, and departmental objectives.
- Support customer-specific engineering projects and custom transportation solutions.
Experience
- Proven track record in leading large-scale product development teams within a fast-paced technology environment with at least ten years of relevant experience.
- Extensive expertise in software engineering disciplines including JavaScript frameworks (React, Angular), backend languages (Java, C#, PHP), database management (SQL Server, Oracle, MongoDB), and system administration.
- Strong background in cloud computing platforms such as AWS and Azure, along with virtualization technologies like vSphere; experience managing cloud infrastructure at an enterprise level is essential.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects using Agile methodologies; experience supervising technical project & program managers is highly desirable.
- Deep understanding of network infrastructure, including MPLS networks, WAN/LAN configurations, DNS management, VoIP systems, firewall configurations, VPNs, and enterprise networking protocols.
- Expertise in information security practices including application security (OWASP), network security measures (firewalls), data protection standards (PCI DSS), disaster recovery planning, and business continuity strategies.
- Skilled in vendor management—negotiating contracts for hardware/software solutions—and managing budgets effectively across multiple projects.
- Exceptional leadership skills with experience managing executive-level teams; capable of fostering cross-functional communication among engineering, product management, IT governance bodies, and stakeholders.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
- Minimum of 10 years of engineering and product development experience.
- Minimum of 5 years leading engineering teams or major product development programs.
- Extensive experience with SolidWorks or comparable 3D CAD software.
- Strong understanding of structural steel design, welding, fabrication, machining, and manufacturing processes.
- Experience leading products from concept through production.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license is a plus but not required.
- Experience building or expanding an engineering department is highly desirable.
Preferred experience within one or more of the following industries:
- Trailer Manufacturing
- Transportation Equipment
- Heavy Equipment
- Agricultural Equipment
- Construction Equipment
- Truck Bodies
- Industrial Manufacturing
Physical requirements include the ability to:
- This is an in-person position based in Visalia, California.
- Less than 10% of travel may be required.
- Greater than 70% of work is accomplished in a manufacturing warehouse shop facility.
- 30% of office work environment.
- Physical activities that require sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, and reaching.
- May be exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels.
- May be asked to lift and carry up to 60 pounds.
Join Our Team!
We're not simply hiring a Director.
We're looking for someone who wants to build an engineering organization, develop industry-leading transportation equipment, and help shape the future of Premier Trailer Manufacturing, Inc.
If you're ready to lead, innovate, and leave a lasting impact, we'd like to hear from you.
Pay: $150,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- engineering and product development: 10 years (Required)
- leading engineering teams and product development programs: 5 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
