Mechanical Engineering Manager

Company: Whisker
Location: Auburn Hills
Posted on: June 3, 2025

Job Description:

Description:Whisker is the maker of Litter-Robot, Feeder-Robot, and Litterbox.com. At Whisker, we believe pet parenthood can always get better.As leading innovators in pet tech and refined pet accessories, we work tirelessly to solve problems and deliver smarter insights for pet parents while enriching the lives of pets. Whether its a self-cleaning litter box that automates scooping, an automatic feeder that helps pets develop healthier eating habits, or a modern cat tree that delights both humans and felines, we strive to deliver better solutions for consumers while transforming pet care along the way. To us, having a pet is the best thing ever. At Whisker, life together just keeps getting better.Whisker is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Juneau, Wisconsin with 700+ passionate team members. We work onsite 4+ days a week.What Youll Do:The Mechanical Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the Whisker team of Mechanical Engineers in the design, development and launch of current and upcoming connected pet products. The Mechanical Engineering Manager will work with cross functional engineering teams to ensure cohesive product development and best in class mechanical design to drive the Whisker product roadmap.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary.Leads and manages a team of mechanical engineers through all phases of product development: concept, design, prototyping, testing, and productionDefines mechanical design strategies, processes, and best practices to meet product requirements, cost, and timeline goalsResponsible for both people management (development, coaching) and project escalationCollaborates with cross-functional teams including industrial design, electrical engineering, manufacturing, and product management to develop robust, high-quality consumer productsEnsures the team delivers innovative, manufacturable, and reliable electro-mechanical product designs using appropriate materials, processes, and technologies (e.g., injection molding, die casting, CNC, etc.)Ensures that programs are properly resourced (both staffing and skills required) with respect to hardware activitiesDrives root-cause analysis and continuous improvement for mechanical-related issues in development and productionEnsures the team is using best practices of mechanical designManages and recommends professional training (informal and formal) where needs ariseStays up to date with market trends and drives benchmarking studiesWill perform additional responsibilities when requiredRequirements:Leadership Responsibilities:Directly supervises department Teams. Carries out supervisory responsibilities following Whisker policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, training, and hiring, planning, assigning and directing work, appraising performance, addressing team issues, and upholding safety and quality guidelines.What Youll Bring:BS in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics or other relevant field and / or equivalent years of experience10+ years experience in product design5+ years experience managing a team of Mechanical EngineersExperience overseeing and evaluating the design of durable consumer products from start to finish6+ years experience with injection molded plastics, electronics packaging and motor-driven mechanismsExperience with domestic and overseas manufacturing partners.Proven ability to be a leader and motivate teams to be creative, agile, and detail orientedBackground in plastics product designFamiliar with top down modeling techniques, as well as surfacingHas been involved in multiple successful new product introductionsStrong knowledge of DFM/DFA, GD&T, and materials commonly used in electronics (plastics, metals, thermal materials)Proficient in PTC CreoMaintains confidentiality of proprietary informationAbility to maintain a professional atmosphere in a fast-paced environment with numerous interactions and interruptionsA high degree of initiative, self-motivation, and ability to motivate othersAbility to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Team Members and colleaguesComfortable with office pets (cats, dogs)Not Required but nice to have:Experience with IoT connected devices and mechatronics.Windchill PDMArena PLMBenefits & Purrks:Join a tenacious, inventive company that empowers team members to chart their own path, lead by grounding decisions in the why, and has a strong sense of empathy and openness to new perspectives. Be a part of exciting growth, work with incredible people, and create tomorrows pet productsplus a whole lot of extras. You will also be provided with:Premium Medical/Dental/Vision insurancePaid parental leaveWhisker Parents Program1 day 'pawternity' leave for new pet adoptionPet Insurance Discount401K matchFlexible spending accountsCompany-paid short-term disability and life insuranceEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Generous paid time off14 Paid HolidaysTop of the line equipmentPet-friendly officeWhisker products and swagContinuing education SupportOn-site gym with PelotonReferral programStatement of Inclusivity:We believe different perspectives make Whisker better and strive to create a place where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.Please ensure to regularly check your email spam folder for any communication from Whisker to avoid missing important updates regarding your application status.#onsite1by Jobble

Keywords: Whisker, West Bloomfield Township , Mechanical Engineering Manager, Engineering , Auburn Hills, Michigan