Mechanical Design & Sourcing Head

Role Overview Job Title: Head of Mechanical Design & Sourcing (or Director/Lead) Department: Engineering, R&D, and Supply Chain / Procurement Reports To: Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), or VP of Product Development Key Focus: End-to-end mechanical architecture, DFM/DFA (Design for Manufacturing/Assembly), vendor onboarding, and cost optimization. [1, 2, 3] Core Responsibilities Mechanical Design & Engineering Leadership Lead the conceptualization, 3D CAD modeling, and 2D detailing of mechanical components, enclosures, and assemblies. Oversee structural, thermal, or FEA (Finite Element Analysis) simulations and validation testing. Drive DFM (Design for Manufacturing) and DFA (Design for Assembly) reviews to ensure parts can be produced reliably at scale. Manage engineering change notices (ECN), revision control, and compliance with industry and regulatory standards. [1, 2, 3, 4] Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Formulate and execute mechanical sourcing strategies for parts such as sheet metal, plastic injection molding, CNC machining, and extrusions. Identify, audit, and onboard domestic and international component manufacturers and tier-1/tier-2 suppliers. Negotiate long-term contracts, unit pricing, tooling costs, payment terms, and lead times. Implement cost-optimization initiatives via alternate sourcing, volume consolidation, and value engineering. [1, 2] Cross-Functional & Supplier Quality Management Partner closely with R&D, firmware/electronics teams, and production floors to ensure smooth new product introduction (NPI). Establish supplier scorecards and monitor KPIs regarding quality (PPM), on-time delivery (OTD), and cost compliance. Act as the escalation point for critical supplier quality or supply chain disruptions. [1, 2] Required Qualifications & Skills Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline. Experience: 8–15+ years of combined experience in mechanical design/R&D and hardware/mechanical sourcing or supply chain operations. Technical Tools: Proficiency in CAD/PLM software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, AutoCAD, UGNX, Teamcenter) and GD&T. Commercial Acumen: Strong experience in supplier negotiation, contract law, bill of materials (BOM) cost analysis, and ERP systems (SAP, Oracle).