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Manager, Component Engineering

Quantum Fuel Systems / www.qtww.com

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Product Engineering

Location: Lake Forest, CA (onsite at company headquarters)

Employment type: Full-time

FLSA: Exempt

Pay Range: $120,000.00 - $140,000.00/year

Quantum Fuel Systems is engineering the future of alternative fuel solutions. For over 25 years, we've been at the forefront of clean energy innovation, designing, developing, and delivering industry‑leading storage systems and transport trailers for compressed natural gas (CNG), renewable natural gas (RNG), and hydrogen.

Based in Lake Forest, California, we're driving clean energy forward by helping our partners meet ambitious net‑zero targets with safe, reliable, and sustainable solutions. Our product line includes next‑generation fuel storage systems for commercial vehicles and virtual pipeline trailers that offer industry‑leading capacity with advanced composite technology.

We are seeking a talented and innovative Manager, Component Engineering to join our team. This role leads a small team of mechanical engineers and is responsible for both the technical direction and people management of the group. This role will be pivotal in the development of new products, improvement of existing designs, and support of system design activities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mechanical engineering, proven experience leading or supervising engineering staff, experience with alternative fuel systems or related industries, and a passion for creating cutting‑edge solutions that advance safety and performance in the alternative fuel sector and gas transportation. Additionally, this role will involve preparing specifications for hydrogen and CNG vehicle and transportation components and working with internal and external customers to design and configure components for various applications. This role will also design, develop, test, and integrate high‑pressure gaseous fuel components and systems for CNG and hydrogen automotive, truck, and virtual pipeline applications.

Due to the hands‑on nature of this role and need for close collaboration with our production team, this position is 100% onsite at our Lake Forest, CA headquarters.

• Lead, coach, and develop the component engineering team: setting goals, managing performance, and growing their job knowledge.
• Plan and prioritize team workload, project assignments, and resource allocation to meet program timelines.
• Represent the component engineering team in cross‑functional and leadership meetings, communicating project status, risks, and resource needs.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to develop innovative designs for alternative fuel safety products (e.g. long‑trigger thermally activated pressure relief devices), compressed natural gas and hydrogen systems, and bulk haul systems.
• Lead high‑pressure component design / development activities, feasibility studies, and risk assessments to ensure product functionality, safety, and compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Generate and support design activities: DFMEA, ADVP&R, etc.
• Generate and oversee or perform product verification / validation testing.
• Perform analytic calculations, e.g., load and flow calculations.
• Apply a systematic and logical approach to engineering and design processes.
• Prepare specifications for hydrogen and CNG vehicle and transportation components for various market segments.
• Work with internal and external customers to select and configure components for applications, providing technical support and expertise as needed.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to drive continuous improvement and innovation in design processes.
• Strong communication (verbal and written) and documentation skills.
• Adopt and implement Quality Assurance Procedures-QAP and Departmental Work Instructions-DWI.

Required:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering + 5 years’ experience. Master’s degree is a plus.
• Gaseous component design experience.
• Minimum 2 years in a supervisory, lead, or people‑management capacity required.
• Strong ability to simplify complex technical topics for any audience, adjusting communication style based on the listener's level of technical understanding.

Preferred:

• Product development with high pressure components.
• High pressure (hydrogen, CNG) component design.
• High pressure gaseous fuel products experience.
• High pressure pneumatic or hydraulic design.
• Developing and implementing test procedures.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, materials selection (e.g. knowledge of material compatibility issues with hydrogen and natural gas), and manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of automotive industry standards and regulations related to alternative fuel systems and safety devices.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work in a fast‑paced environment.
• Effective communication skills and ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Software: CAD (NX Unigraphics preferred).
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM) concepts.
• Familiar with control plans, FMEA, and GD&T.
• Experience managing competing priorities across several projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to build a positive, accountable team culture.

The employee will spend some of their time on the production floor. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand for long periods of time, kneel, and crouch. In the office, the employee is regularly required to use their hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone keypad or to write, as well as talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to focus. This position involves occasionally lifting to 40 pounds.

Quantum Fuel Systems is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an environment where all employees can thrive.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniform service member and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, Quantum Fuel Systems provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of employment, including the application and interview process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of a job or to participate in the application process, please contact Human Resources at hr@qtww.com so that we may engage in the interactive process to identify an appropriate accommodation.

We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance where applicable.

• Health care plans (medical, dental & vision) - choose from 2 HMO and 2 PPO medical plans
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Retirement plan (401k) with company match
• Life insurance (basic, voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid time off (vacation, sick & selected holidays)
• Family leave (maternity/paternity)
• Short & long term disability plans