Sustaining Design Engineering Manager
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 20, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 19, 2026. CelLink scores B on the Alion truth index.
At CelLink, engineering doesn’t stop when a product launches. We’re looking for a Manager, Sustaining Design Engineering who enjoys solving complex technical problems, improving products already in production, and developing a strong team of engineers. You’ll lead design improvements from customer request through CAD updates, validation, and manufacturing implementation. You’ll work closely with customers, Applications Engineering, and Manufacturing to turn real-world challenges into practical, high-quality solutions. This is an opportunity for an engineer who can move comfortably between the technical details and the bigger picture, someone who enjoys mentoring a team but isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and own projects themselves.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Manage, mentor, and grow a team of Sustaining Design Engineers, setting clear goals and supporting professional development.
- Prioritize projects and allocate resources to meet business needs and customer timelines.
- Build a collaborative, accountable, safety-first culture focused on ownership and continuous improvement.
- Lead post-launch design changes, product updates, Design for Manufacturability (DFM) studies, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Oversee CAD design work, rapid prototyping, validation testing, and design release documentation.
- Lead design reviews and DFMEA sessions, and participate in PFMEA activities to improve product quality and prevent recurring issues.
- Develop and refine design rules and guidelines using feedback from Manufacturing Engineering.
- Ensure engineering changes are accurately documented, validated, and implemented on the manufacturing line in accordance with internal standards, customer expectations, and APQP processes.
- Serve as a key engineering contact for complex customer-driven changes, technical escalations, and product improvement projects.
- Partner across Applications Engineering, Manufacturing, and customer teams to troubleshoot issues and deliver effective solutions.
- Support customer testing and validation activities while maintaining a high standard of communication, responsiveness, and follow-through.
Minimum Qualifications
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Experience/Education
- A bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of relevant engineering experience, including 1-2 years in a direct supervisory role.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Experience with 3D CAD systems; SolidWorks is preferred.
- Product development experience with high-voltage and/or low-voltage automotive connection systems.
- Experience as a Design Release Engineer, Product Development Engineer, or in a similar role within automotive, defense/aerospace, industrial, or data center industries.
- Strong knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and interpreting engineering drawings and specifications.
- Experience with structured problem-solving methods, including 8D and root cause analysis tools such as 5 Whys.
- Practical experience using DFMEA and PFMEA to improve designs and manufacturing processes.
- Experience supporting product development and manufacturing through DV/PV/SOP phases.
- Familiarity with busbar sizing, creepage and clearance analysis, and relevant industry standards such as MIL-SPEC, USCAR, and ISO.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with both technical teams and customers.
Work Environment -
Includes both a typical office environment, with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues, and a shop environment, with exposure to high noise levels from operating machines, physical hazards from moving equipment and machine parts, nuisance dust, and skin exposure to chemicals used to run/maintain machines.
PPE-
May be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to safety glasses, safety shoes, bump caps, gloves, hair nets, masks, and clean-room frocks while adhering to the prescribed safety procedures.
We believe diversity and inclusion among our teammates are essential to our success. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees while building teams that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are an equal opportunity employer. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. CelLink participates in the E-Verify program in specific locations as required by law.
CelLink was founded in 2012 and entered volume production in 2018. CelLink provides electrical systems to the world's leading automotive OEMs & EV manufacturers, data center developers, and stationary power companies. The company has raised approximately $315M in funding through private investment and multiple grants from the US Department of Energy. CelLink’s investors include 3M, Atreides, BMW, BorgWarner, Bosch, D1 Capital, Fidelity, Fontinalis Partners, Ford, Franklin Templeton, Lear, Park West, SK Telecom, Standard Investments, T. Rowe Price, Tinicum, and Whale Rock.