Development Engineering Manager

WhiteWater makes products, but we are a service business at our heart, which means we are a people business. In this way, we excel and create value for our clients by listening to their needs, collaborating to develop solutions, problem-solving and attending to the details. Our culture, as you would expect, reflects these traits. We are a diverse group of experts, from creative designers to talented engineers. Whatever expertise we bring from all over the world, we listen and learn from each other because we are aligned with a clearly understood purpose. Together, we create fun for families globally.

Interested in starting an exciting career with WhiteWater? Apply today!

Position Manager, Development Engineering

Shift Full-time, 40 hours per week

Department Engineering

Location Richmond, B.C

Reports to Director, Engineering

Purpose:

The Development Engineering Manager provides oversight to a team of staff within the organization's engineering department who are responsible for the development of new products, as well as the advancement of existing products. This team shall consist of both professional and non-professional engineers, as well as technologists, who are involved with complex technical assignments relating to the development and deployment of new products.

The Development Engineering Manager will work closely with Product Managers and other stakeholders to develop safe & fun, high-quality, reliable products in accordance with the Stage Gate process and published development schedules. The Development Engineering Manager shall participate in long-term planning and decision-making relating to the acceptance or rejection of proposed new products. The Development Engineering Manager recruits, mentors, supports and motivates the team. The Development Engineering Manager plans the department's product assignments and resourcing requirements with respect to appropriate disciplines and staff levels, as well as establishes development schedules and budgets. The Development Engineering Manager also acts as a representative of the team and as a liaison with customers, both internal and external.

Essential Responsibilities

• Leads a team of technicians, designers and engineers within a product-focused environment to develop state-of-the art products for the waterpark industry.
• Leads the team to innovate new products, with the focus on providing safe, fun and thrilling waterpark experiences.
• Responsible for ensuring products are developed in accordance with WhiteWater's Stage Gate process; meeting or exceeding applicable safety, regulatory, quality, manufacturing, engineering, installation, and ease of use requirements.
• Responsible for establishing and leading multiple cross-functional core teams in the development of new and existing products.
• Responsible for ensuring development teams are appropriately staffed and funded to achieve target Stage Gate milestones and deliverables.
• Work with Product Managers and other stakeholders to prioritize and schedule the development of new and existing products.
• Responsible for ensuring development schedules and budgets are prepared and maintained for products under development.
• Participate in annual budgeting relating to the development of new and existing products.
• Responsible for reviewing product designs to evaluate risks, costs, estimated time to market, and fulfilment of requirements.
• Responsible for leading the team to manage and mitigate risks to ensure products meet or exceed WhiteWater's standard for safety and quality.
• Responsible for the oversight of prototype activities conducted within the organization's facilities to ensure appropriate workplace safety measures are in place and followed.
• Accountable and responsible for the team's ability to achieve set metrics.
• Assist pre-contract and sales with preparation of proposals, engineering estimates, pre-contract engineering schedules and pre-contract designs.
• Conducts oneself and fully participates as an active member for the engineering leadership team which leads, act as role models, manages and sets expectation for all engineering staff members.
• Manages the team's overhead costs to budget.
• Identify, support, and cultivate lean initiatives and opportunities for continuous improvement of the product development process within the organization.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure operational efficiency.
• Other duties as set forth by management.

Qualifications and Experience

• Registered Professional Engineer in Canada (P.Eng.) or US (P.E.) preferred.
• Minimum education requirement - Bachelor of Engineering or Applied Science degree from a Canadian university or foreign equivalent.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in a product development environment, with 4+ years' experience managing people.
• Must be familiar with Product Development and Stage Gate processes.
• Hands-on experience conducting, leading and participating in the certification and commissioning of amusement rides, or machinery of similar complexity.
• Advanced understanding of industry accepted risk assessment techniques.
• Experience with the design and manufacturing of metallic, plastic and composite parts.
• Demonstrable leadership, mentoring, engineering and troubleshooting skills.
• Background in mechanical design, product development, or manufacturing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
• Working knowledge of SolidWorks and Product Data/Lifecycle Management systems.
• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
• Must be able to travel world-wide without restrictions.

Leadership and People Management

• Mentor, motivate and coach team members toward professional and personal development by setting clear expectations, providing feedback, and conducting performance reviews.
• Demonstrate sound approaches to business problems with a consumer/customer mindset.
• Facilitate change management and integration best practices.

Competencies, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to provide leadership in a fast-paced environment where issues are constantly surfacing with changing priorities.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain effective internal and external working relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent leadership, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to quickly come up to speed on the business and industry.
• Proven ability to work well with diverse groups spanning all cultures.
• Demonstrate professional behavior with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent time management, organizational and prioritization skills.
• Anticipate problems proactively and plan contingencies.
• Tackle issues with tact and sound reasoning.
• Accomplish goals with drive and energy, while balancing attention to the bottom line.
• Strong sense of accountability and meeting scheduled obligations with a commitment to excellence.
• Write and present opinions effectively; adjust to fit the audience and the message.

WhiteWater Competencies:

• Accountability - We do what we say
• Collaboration - We work well together
• Customer Focus - We know and respond to our customers
• Communication - We listen to and understand each other
• Authenticity - We are honest and trust each other
• Resilience - We deal effectively with pressure, are persistent and optimistic
• Flexibility & Adaptability - We are willing and able to respond to changing circumstances

WhiteWater is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate the diversity of all employees and applicants and are strongly committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone.

We thank all the candidates who take the time and energy to apply. Given the volume of applications, it makes responding personally to each applicant difficult, but please know we are grateful for your interest. We look forward to connecting with you through this search or future ones. All the best in your job search.