Product Cost Engineering Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Join the Team That Builds Life-Saving Vehicles

Why Life Line?

At Life Line, you won’t just build parts — you’ll help build ambulances that save lives every day. When you join our team, you become part of something bigger. We foster a supportive, team-oriented environment where your skills grow, your hard work is valued, and your contributions truly make a difference.

Position Summary

The Sales Design Engineer is an engineering-focused role responsible for developing compliant, manufacturable custom ambulance designs and the underlying technical and cost structures that enable accurate pricing and successful production. This position serves as a technical authority during the pre-order and order-definition phases, translating customer requirements into engineered solutions that meet regulatory standards, production capabilities, and margin objectives.

The role works closely with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality teams, while supporting sales through technically validated designs and pricing recommendations.

Engineering & Design Development

• Engineer custom ambulance layouts, systems, and configurations based on customer operational requirements
• Develop detailed vehicle designs that comply with applicable standards (e.g., KKK, NFPA, SAE, state regulations)
• Create and maintain AutoCAD drawings, layouts, and technical documentation to support build accuracy
• Ensure all designs are manufacturable within current production processes and capacity
• Evaluate design tradeoffs related to performance, safety, ergonomics, durability, and cost

Cost Engineering & Pricing Support

• Develop detailed cost models for new, custom, or non-standard ambulance options, including material, labor, and complexity impacts
• Partner with manufacturing, purchasing, and engineering to validate BOMs, labor routings, and cost assumptions
• Establish technically sound pricing recommendations that reflect true production cost and support margin targets
• Document engineering assumptions, cost drivers, and design constraints for custom configurations
• Support quote reviews by ensuring all options are technically feasible, accurately scoped, and priced

Cross-Functional Technical Collaboration

• Act as a technical liaison between sales, engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain
• Support engineering change management when customer requirements or standards evolve
• Assist production in resolving design-related issues during manufacturing and initial builds
• Participate in design reviews, build kickoffs, and continuous improvement initiatives

Standardization & Continuous Improvement

• Identify recurring custom requests and convert them into engineered, repeatable, and priced standard options
• Support development of design standards, templates, and configuration rules
• Improve accuracy, repeatability, and efficiency in pre-production design and costing processes
• Contribute to lessons learned and design for manufacturability (DFM) initiatives

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and controlled design documentation, specifications, and revisions
• Ensure all configurations align with approved engineering standards and regulatory requirements
• Support audits, compliance reviews, and customer documentation needs

Required Qualifications

• Experience in engineering, manufacturing engineering, or technical design within a custom or engineered-to-order environment
• Proficiency with AutoCAD.
• Strong understanding of vehicle systems, electrical, mechanical, and structural design principles
• Ability to interpret and create technical drawings, BOMs, and specifications
• Proven ability to evaluate manufacturability and production constraints
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Contingencies of Employment

Equal Opportunity Employer

Life Line is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Work Authorization:
Life Line Emergency Vehicles does not offer employment sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.