Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Reno, NV

Role Summary

We are seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager, Mechanical, to lead complex programs involving mechanical systems and hardware development from concept through production. This role requires driving cross functional execution across mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, firmware and software, product, supply chain, quality, manufacturing, and system integration teams.

You will own program scope, schedules, risk management, and delivery quality across multi phase hardware development roadmaps, ensuring successful execution through design, validation, and production launch.

Responsibilities

• Oversee program scope, schedules, and resource planning for mechanical engineering initiatives, ensuring deliverables meet timeline, quality, cost, and performance expectations.
• Drive execution across the full hardware development lifecycle, including concept development, design reviews, prototype builds, design verification, validation, qualification, and production readiness.
• Coordinate mechanical development milestones, including requirements definition, CAD release, drawing release, DFM reviews, tolerance analysis, prototype builds, tooling readiness, and engineering change management.
• Drive program planning and milestone tracking for mechanical system integration, component readiness, design maturity, and manufacturing readiness.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to mechanical design, supplier readiness, tooling, long lead materials, production constraints, and cross functional dependencies.
• Partner with engineering and product teams to define program requirements, development roadmaps, and success metrics aligned with business goals.
• Coordinate with supply chain and manufacturing teams to support sourcing readiness, vendor qualification, production planning, and clear to build milestones.
• Support design validation and qualification activities by partnering with engineering and quality teams on test planning, failure analysis, corrective actions, and issue resolution.
• Monitor program costs, resource needs, and schedule risks, identifying opportunities for efficiency, cost optimization, and improved execution.
• Improve program management processes, tools, and best practices specific to hardware and mechanical development to enhance scalability, predictability, and transparency.
• Communicate program status, critical issues, risks, and milestones to executive leadership and cross functional stakeholders.
• Lead collaboration across mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, quality, product management, and system integration teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of experience in technical program management or engineering leadership, with strong focus on mechanical systems, hardware products, or manufacturing driven development.
• Proven success managing complex hardware programs involving multiple teams, schedules, dependencies, and technical disciplines.
• Strong understanding of product development processes, phase gate development, and mechanical engineering workflows from concept through production.
• Experience working within engineering organizations developing electromechanical products, assemblies, or hardware systems.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, DFM/DFA, tolerance analysis, design validation, and manufacturing readiness.
• Experience managing supplier and sourcing dependencies, tooling schedules, long lead materials, and production launch readiness.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills with the ability to influence across teams and functions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable operating in fast paced environments with shifting priorities.
• Experience with Jira, Confluence, project schedules, and structured development frameworks.
• Preferred experience with PLM systems, CAD collaboration tools, manufacturing processes, and prototype build management.
• Willingness to travel up to 20%, including international travel.

Preferred Tools & Platform Exposure

Planning & Collaboration
Jira
Confluence
Project schedules
Phase gate tracking

Product Development & Change Management
PLM systems
ECO/ECN workflows
Requirements tracking

Mechanical Design Collaboration
CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Creo, or NX
Drawing release processes
Tolerance stack up reviews

Manufacturing & Supply Chain
DFM/DFA reviews
Tooling readiness
Supplier qualification
Clear to build planning

Validation & Quality
DV/PV planning
FMEA
Root cause analysis
Qualification testing

Hardware Systems Context
Electromechanical systems
Structural components
Thermal and mechanical integration
Prototype and production builds

Please note: This role requires working on site 5 days per week. Hybrid and remote work options are not available.