Mechanical Engineering Manager

Smartrend Manufacturing Group (SMG) Inc.  is one of Manitoba’s fastest-growing companies, committed to increasing safety in the school bus industry and reducing emissions in the electric vehicle charging sector through our diverse divisions. We design and develop exciting, patented, and innovative technologies that make a real and lasting impact across multiple industries.

At the heart of our success are the values that guide everything we do:

People – our team is what makes us special

Passion – from our hearts and minds, demonstrated through our actions

Priority – we put the customer first, every day, in everything we do

Partnership – with each other, our customers, and our suppliers

We provide a supportive environment where hard work, passions, and goals are recognized. Innovation and collaboration are at the heart of what we do. Share your drive and aspirations with us, and we’ll ensure that your efforts open doors to new opportunities and growth.

THE POSITION
As the  Mechanical Engineering Manager  within our Product Development team, you will lead a talented group of engineers and designers responsible for bringing new products from concept to reality. Reporting to the Director of Mechanical Engineering, you will set technical direction, establish priorities, and guide your team through the full product development lifecycle ensuring every design meets our standards for performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost.

In this role, you’ll work closely with the Project Manager to align engineering work with project milestones and resource requirements, ensuring predictable execution and proactive risk management. You’ll also collaborate cross-functionally with electrical engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement, and product management to deliver innovative solutions on time and at scale.

This is a leadership role for someone who thrives on building strong teams, driving technical excellence, and shaping the future of SMG’s product portfolio.

HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING AN IMPACT

Lead, mentor, and grow a team of mechanical engineers and designers, fostering a high-performance culture.

Oversee mechanical design, analysis, prototyping, and testing to deliver robust and reliable solutions.

Partner with the Project Manager to ensure engineering tasks align with schedules, milestones, and resource plans.

Collaborate with manufacturing, electrical, quality, supply chain, and product management teams to support successful product development.

Promote disciplined engineering practices, strong documentation, and adherence to internal design standards.

Drive the product lifecycle from early concepts and validation through production launch and continuous improvement.

Lead structured design reviews and ensure compliance with industry, regulatory, and customer requirements.

Lead the design of products for automotive and industrial safety applications.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Mechanical designs are delivered on schedule and meet performance, quality, cost, and manufacturability targets.

The engineering team performs at a high level, remains engaged, and grows in capability under your leadership.

Engineering priorities remain aligned with broader business objectives.

Cross-functional collaboration is strong, resulting in efficient problem-solving and smooth product development cycles.

Engineering processes, standards, and documentation are followed rigorously and continuously improved.

Design reviews are thorough and effective, ensuring products are ready for release and compliant with all requirements.

Risks are identified early, communicated clearly, and mitigated effectively.

You become a trusted technical leader who guides engineering excellence and contributes to strategic decisions.

WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE YOU REQUIRE

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering, or equivalent

Minimum of 7 years of mechanical engineering experience, including at least 2 years in a leadership or management role.

Registration, or ability to register for P.Eng. or C.E.T. in the province of Manitoba is preferred.

Proficient in CAD tools (Solid Works preferred) and FEA analysis software.

In-depth knowledge of Design for…