Senior Director, Product Engineering
Exemplis · Cypress, CA
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $190k–$295k
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 12+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 17 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level manufacturing role at Exemplis (industrial) in Cypress, CA.
- They ask for
- 12+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, FMEA, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Automation, Tooling, SolidWorks
- Base pay
- $190k–$295k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $114k–$167k. This one lists $190k–$295k.
Median of the low and high ends of 117 live postings that list pay, out of 320 manufacturing engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 319 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 82% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (12+ vs 5+)
Typical $111k–$157k, from 105 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 53%
- ✓ New product launch 51%
- Root cause 40%
- ✓ Automation 35%
- Machining 29%
- CATIA / NX 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Exemplis
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from ExemplisAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Position Summary
The Senior Director of Product Engineering leads the organization responsible for translating design intent into scalable, manufacturable, and profitable product platforms. This role owns end-to-end engineering delivery and is accountable for excellence across cost, quality, manufacturability, compliance, and sustainability—while accelerating development through modular architecture, automation, and AI-enabled workflows.
Based in Cypress, CA, this leader partners closely with Design, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Sourcing, and Mexico operations to ensure seamless commercialization, production transfer, and scalable manufacturing readiness. This is a hybrid role requiring onsite work three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).
Required
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (advanced degree preferred).
- ✓12+ years of progressive product engineering experience, including 6+ years leading teams.
- ✓Proven experience delivering configurable, modular, or mass-customized products at scale.
- ✓Advanced proficiency in mechanical design and CAD (SolidWorks or comparable).
- ✓Deep expertise in DFM, DFA, VAVE, lean engineering, and validation methodologies.
- ✓Experience implementing or scaling digital engineering tools (PLM, MBD, simulation, AI/automation).
- ✓Strong cross-functional leadership and communication skills.
- ✓Experience working closely with manufacturing operations, including Mexico-based production.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Senior Director, Product Engineering Job Details | Exemplis
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Senior Director, Product Engineering
Company
Exemplis
Department
Product Engineering
Location
Cypress, CA, US, 90630
Work Designation
Hybrid
Engineering Strategy & Delivery
- •Translate product and business strategy into a clear engineering roadmap with defined priorities, milestones, and capability plans.
- •Serve as the senior technical authority, leading engineering decisions, trade-offs, and escalations.
- •Lead concurrent programs from concept through commercialization, ensuring delivery against cost, quality, compliance, ergonomics, and sustainability targets.
- •Drive DFM/DFA/DFC/VAVE and champion modular architectures that reduce complexity and enable scalable product families.
- •Oversee validation (FEA, FMEA, durability/performance testing) and ensure disciplined BOM, CAD, and ECO governance.
Digital Engineering & Innovation
- •Advance adoption of AI-enabled engineering tools, including AI-assisted CAD, generative design, simulation, and Model-Based Definition (MBD).
- •Optimize CAD (SolidWorks preferred), PLM/PDM, and digital workflows to reduce cycle time and manual handoffs.
- •Partner with R&D to translate new materials, automation, and sustainable technologies into production-ready solutions.
Cross-Functional & Manufacturing Integration
- •Partner with Design and Development to ensure technical feasibility without compromising user experience.
- •Collaborate with Manufacturing and Mexico operations to ensure production readiness, yield, and scalable ramp.
- •Align with Sourcing, Quality, and Compliance on supplier readiness, regulatory standards, and risk mitigation.
- •Lead structured cross-functional engineering reviews to accelerate alignment and compress timelines.
Organizational & Operational Leadership
- •Lead and develop a high-performing, multi-disciplinary engineering organization, building both technical depth and future people leaders.
- •Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making.
- •Manage engineering resources, tooling investments, and capital planning aligned to business priorities.
- •Establish and improve KPIs including time-to-market, engineering velocity, product cost, launch performance, and reliability.
Preferred
- +Advanced degree (MS or MBA).
- +Experience in contract furniture, seating, or other configurable durable goods industries.
- +Familiarity with BIFMA, ISO, or similar regulatory standards.
- +Experience leading sustainability initiatives (circular design, material innovation, repairability).
- +PMP or formal program management certification.
Perks and Benefits
We hope that you’re excited by the possibilities that come along with working at Exemplis! With us, TEAM comes first. We bring integrity, passion, and excellence to work each day. Being part of our team means living our core values and thriving in an environment of constant innovation and positive change.
In addition to our unique culture, we also offer these fun perks and benefits.
Hybrid Work Schedule: We believe in supporting a healthy work–life balance and offer a flexible hybrid schedule, with remote work on Mondays and Fri