Contract Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Middleton, WI

Description

Position Overview

This is not a typical engineering management role. You will oversee key technology development and testing for innovative fitness products, leading work that spans design analysis, specialized test equipment, failure investigation, validation strategy, and cross-functional problem solving. This is a hands-on leadership role with visibility, complexity, and real influence on what gets built next.

You will lead a team of engineering subject matter experts and operate at the center of innovation, partnering across mechanical, electrical, software, systems, product, quality, and manufacturing functions in North America and Asia. This is a visible leadership role for someone who can move seamlessly between strategy and execution-someone equally comfortable mentoring engineers, reviewing complex designs, guiding risk analysis, and getting hands-on with test methods, fixtures, and technical problem solving.

Why This Role Stands Out:

• Lead innovation for globally recognized fitness products and technologies
• Own highly technical work spanning advanced mechanical design, component analysis, and custom test equipment development
• Influence new product development from concept through validation and production support
• Partner with cross-functional and international teams to solve complex engineering challenges at scale
• Shape, mentor, and elevate a team of engineers in a role with meaningful visibility and impact
• Join a company known for innovation, a wellness-focused culture, and competitive rewards

What You'll Do

• Lead and develop a team of engineering experts focused on key technology, advanced development, and testing excellence
• Drive the research, development, and validation of innovative fitness product solutions and critical components
• Guide detailed mechanical design reviews, product specification analysis, and engineering risk assessments
• Design and oversee the creation of specialized test fixtures, machinery, standards, and procedures
• Partner across software, electrical, systems, quality, and manufacturing teams to identify failure modes, determine root cause, and verify robust solutions
• Analyze field and user data to strengthen product safety, quality, and long-term performance
• Support product commercialization by balancing design intent, manufacturability, cost, and performance
• Help attract, mentor, and retain top engineering talent while building a culture of accountability, urgency, and world-class execution

Requirements

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent engineering experience; advanced degree or MBA is a plus
• Strong background in project engineering, project management, or technical leadership within product development environments
• Deep mechanical design experience with plastics, mechanisms, linkages, machinery, or related systems
• Proficiency with 3D CAD and FEA tools, along with strong engineering analysis capabilities
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and inspire engineers in a fast-moving, high-expectation environment
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across functions, cultures, and time zone
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally and work with global teams outside standard business hours when needed

Why Johnson Health Tech North America:

At Johnson Health Tech, we are driven by innovation, quality, and a commitment to helping people live healthier lives. Our teams create products used by customers across the globe, and we invest in an environment where talented people can grow, contribute, and perform at a high level. 

Employees describe the culture as fun, flexible, and friendly, with a wellness-focused workplace, competitive benefits, and meaningful opportunities to make an impact. Johnson Health Tech is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing fitness equipment manufacturers, and our North America Headquarters in Cottage Grove plays a key role in global marketing, product design, research and development, and quality leadership. 

If you are looking for a leadership role where you can influence product innovation, raise the bar for engineering excellence, and help shape the next generation of fitness technology, we want to hear from you.