Title: Engineering Manager
Reports To: Senior Vice President – Operations & Engineering
This position follows a Monday to Friday schedule from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the flexibility to work remotely one day per week, subject to business needs.
Works Closely With:
- Quality Engineering
- Project Engineering
- Manufacturing Operations
- Program Management
- External Consultants and Vendors
Direct Reports:
- Design Engineer
- Engineering Student / Co-op.
About Us
We're Clek, a proudly Canadian brand creating award-winning infant car seats, convertible car seats and booster seats that combine safety with parent-friendly ease-of-use and modern style. Our car seats and accessories unite superior design, engineering excellence, world-class manufacturing, and the craftsmanship formerly found only in luxury automotive seating. The result? One-of-a-kind seats that will keep your kids happy and comfortable and allow you to relax and focus on the ride. For more information check out our website at www.clekinc.ca.
Position Summary
The Engineering Manager is responsible for leading product development, process engineering, and regulatory compliance for Clek’s child restraint systems and accessories. This role bridges innovation, manufacturing excellence, and safety compliance while providing leadership to internal teams and external partners.
Job Duties/Responsibilities
Product Development Engineering
- Lead R&D and design phases for new child restraint systems and accessories, including Infant Seats, Convertibles, and Boosters.
- Oversee CAD development, prototyping, and material selection (plastics, foams, textiles, and alloys).
- Drive innovation in energy-absorbing materials and ergonomic design to enhance safety, usability, and consumer appeal.
- Manage the product roadmap, ensuring projects meet key milestones, cost targets, and performance requirements.
- Develop deep expertise in the child seat market, including consumer needs, competitive products, and emerging trends.
- Play a leading role in developing intuitive products that reduce misuse while delivering best-in-class safety for parents and caregivers.
- Ensure products are designed with manufacturing efficiency, scalability, and quality in mind (DFM/DFA).
- Provide guidance and leadership to internal and external design teams.
Process Engineering & Manufacturing
- Design, develop, and optimize manufacturing workflows, including assembly processes and automation, to drive efficiency and consistency.
- Collaborate with internal engineers and external vendors to adopt and implement new process and manufacturing technologies.
- Lead the implementation of Lean Manufacturing principles to reduce waste while maintaining 100% process quality and reliability.
- Act as the primary technical leader and point of contact for all process engineering activities.
- Provide mentorship and leadership to internal process engineers and external manufacturing partners.
Validation & Compliance
- Serve as the technical lead for regulatory compliance, including:
- FMVSS 213 (USA)
- CMVSS (Canada)
- CPSC requirements (USA)
- UN R129 / i-Size (Europe)
- Manage internal and external testing programs, including sled testing, side-impact, and rollover testing.
- Ensure all customer-facing materials (manuals, labels, and instructions) meet regulatory and compliance requirements.
- Interface with regulatory bodies, certification agencies, and testing laboratories as required.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related discipline.
- 7–10+ years of combined experience in Product Development and Process Engineering.
- 3–5+ years in an engineering leadership or management role.
- Direct experience in Juvenile Products or Automotive industries is strongly preferred.
Technical Skills & Experience
- Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred).
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Project, MS Office, and Access.
- Deep understanding of:
- Injection molding and tooling
- Metal stamping
- High-volume assembly processes
- Experience with FEA (Finite Element Analysis) for crash simulation.
- Strong background in product design with solid DFM/DFA principles.
- Extensive experience in manufacturing and assembly of consumer or automotive products.
- Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems: IATF 16949 / ISO 9001.
- Hands-on experience with:
- APQP
- PPAP
- DFMEA, PFMEA
- DVP&R
- Control Plans
- Familiarity with corrective action methodologies (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone).
- Experience with PLC programming and SQL/database software is a strong asset.
- Demonstrated experience working with regulatory agencies (e.g., NHTSA, JPMA, Transport Canada).
Core Competencies
- Safety-First Mindset: Unwavering commitment to product integrity and child safety.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Ability to align design, engineering, manufacturing, and regulatory requirements.
- Project Management Excellence: Proven ability to manage complex timelines involving long-lead tooling and rigorous validation cycles.
- Communication & Organization: Exceptional written, verbal, and organizational skills with strong computer proficiency.
Procedures Governing Job Function
- IATF 16949 / ISO 9001
- Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
- Engineering Change Management
- Document and Data Control
- Process Controls
- Testing and Validation
- Engineering Approved Product Authorization
- 8D Corrective and Preventive Action
- Internal Quality Audits (Design and Process)
- Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
- Continuous Improvement
- Manufacturing Capability Assessments
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
- Frequent use of a computer, including prolonged periods of screen time and repetitive hand movements (keyboard and mouse).
- Ability to occasionally lift, push, or pull up to 25 lbs (e.g. test components, sample parts).
- Ability to safely access manufacturing and testing areas, including navigating production floors, and tooling areas.
- Occasional bending, crouching, or reaching may be required during inspections, testing, or prototype evaluations.
- Visual acuity sufficient for reviewing detailed engineering drawings, CAD models, test data, and quality documentation.
- Ability to travel occasionally for supplier visits, testing, audits, or regulatory meetings.
Work Environment
- This position operates in a combination of office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments.
- Office work includes standard business equipment such as computers, phones, and video conferencing tools.
- Manufacturing and testing environments may involve exposure to moving machinery, noise, temperature variations, and industrial materials; appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required and provided.
- The role may require occasional presence in testing facilities, including sled testing and validation labs.
- Standard business hours are expected, with flexibility required during critical project phases, production launches, or testing milestones.
- Some travel may be required to manufacturing partners, suppliers, and external testing facilities.
Clek welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of their citizenship, race, place of origin, ethnic origin, colour, ancestry, disability, age, creed, sex/pregnancy, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $115,000.00-$135,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- North York, ON M3B 2T5: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (required)
Experience:
- Product development: 7 years (required)
- Process Engineering: 7 years (required)
- Leadership: 3 years (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in North York, ON M3B 2T5
