Programmer Manager Jobs in Westerly, RI (NOW HIRING)

Job Description Engineering Manager Location: Exeter, Rhode Island | Onsite Employment Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire Pay: $145,000 - $160,000 Position Overview M Force Partners is seeking an experienced Engineering Manager to lead a product engineering team responsible for developing complex mechanical and electromechanical products from initial concept through production. This position combines hands-on engineering expertise, people leadership, product development, project execution, and collaboration with global manufacturing and engineering teams. The ideal Engineering Manager brings 10-15 years of progressive design engineering and product development experience, including significant hands-on experience personally designing and launching physical products.

Automotive or vehicle accessory experience is highly valuable, although candidates with backgrounds in electromechanical products, electronics, medical equipment, consumer products, or other technically complex manufactured products may also be a strong fit. This Engineering Manager must be more than a people manager. The position requires the technical depth to evaluate designs, lead engineering decisions, understand manufacturing processes, mentor experienced engineers, and confidently communicate technical recommendations to senior leadership and global stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities Lead, mentor, and provide technical direction to a multidisciplinary engineering team Manage complex product development programs from proof of concept through design, prototyping, validation, manufacturing, and production release Remain actively involved in technical design decisions, engineering problem-solving, and product development Develop engineering project plans, schedules, resource requirements, and non-recurring engineering estimates Ensure engineering projects meet technical, quality, schedule, budget, and business objectives Lead engineering design reviews and provide technical guidance throughout the product development lifecycle Collaborate with U.S. and international Engineering, Product Management, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and business leadership teams Serve as an engineering liaison between U.S. operations and global engineering organizations Work directly with global manufacturing teams and suppliers to ensure designs are manufacturable, scalable, and production-ready Apply manufacturing and factory best practices throughout product development and production activities Lead concept development and detailed mechanical design activities using SolidWorks 3D CAD Review and approve engineering drawings, specifications, design documentation, and technical deliverables Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles Lead and support Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) activities Oversee prototype development, engineering testing, product validation, and production readiness Investigate product and field failures, perform root cause analysis, and develop corrective engineering solutions Manage engineering changes, design revisions, technical documentation, and Engineering Change processes Support patent documentation and intellectual property initiatives when applicable Conduct technology research, supplier evaluations, and technical market analysis supporting new product development Maintain engineering documentation standards and support SolidWorks PDM processes Establish and reinforce standardized engineering and product development best practices Present engineering plans, product concepts, technical recommendations, project status, and development results to senior leadership Communicate complex technical concepts clearly during formal presentations and executive-level discussions Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design Engineering, or a related engineering discipline 10-15 years of progressive engineering experience involving product development, mechanical design, electromechanical design, automotive engineering, or a closely related discipline Extensive hands-on experience personally designing and developing physical products from concept through production Previous engineering management, engineering leadership, or senior technical leadership experience Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks 3D CAD Strong understanding of mechanical design principles and manufacturing processes Demonstrated experience taking new products through concept development, prototyping, testing, validation, and production release Strong knowledge of DFM and DFA principles Experience working directly with manufacturing teams, suppliers, and production facilities Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, factory operations, production considerations, and product quality Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering projects and cross-functional product development teams Ability to evaluate complex technical designs and provide meaningful engineering direction to experienced engineers Strong project management, organizational, and technical decision-making skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills Strong presentation and public speaking capabilities, including experience communicating technical information to senior executives and key stakeholders Ability to collaborate effectively across countries, cultures, and time zones Ability to work onsite in Rhode Island Ability to regularly support collaboration with international teams during evening hours Preferred Qualifications Automotive, automotive aftermarket, vehicle accessory, or vehicle electrical product development experience Electromechanical product development experience Experience developing technically complex consumer or industrial products Electronics or electrical product development experience Medical equipment or medical device product development experience Experience with lighting systems, wiring harnesses, portable power products, or vehicle accessories SolidWorks PDM experience Global engineering and manufacturing experience Experience working directly with international manufacturing operations and suppliers Experience collaborating with manufacturing operations in China, Korea, Australia, or other global markets Experience leading or supporting globally distributed engineering teams Knowledge of Design for Environment (DFE) Patent or intellectual property documentation experience Experience within a publicly traded or similarly structured global organization Job presented by M Force Partners M Force Partners is a specialized recruitment partner connecting top-tier talent with leading organizations

With a deep understanding of engineering/technical, medical, professional and executive disciplines and industry demands, we deliver tailored recruitment solutions, including direct hire and contract placements, to ensure the right fit for both candidates and clients. If this role isn't the right fit for you, we encourage you to explore our other opportunities at mforcepartners.com. Do you know someone who may be a great match

Feel free to share this opportunity within your network. Equal Opportunity Employer M Force Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.