Companies
Whisper Carts & LPI, Inc.
Location
Johnson City, TN (On-Site / Hybrid)
Whisper Carts and LPI, Inc. are seeking a Director of Engineering to lead all product development, engineering operations, and technical systems across two manufacturing businesses. This role has enterprise-level responsibility for engineering execution across electric vehicles, utility platforms, accessories, and consumer molded products including hot tubs and swim spas.
This is a senior, hands-on leadership role requiring deep mechanical engineering expertise, strong manufacturing intuition, and disciplined, ISO-driven engineering execution.
Product Scope
Whisper Carts
- Electric golf carts and low-speed vehicles (LSVs)
- Utility vehicles and UTV-style platforms
- Frames, chassis, suspension, steering, braking, and driveline systems
- Electric powertrains (batteries, motors, controllers, wiring harnesses)
- Interiors, dashboards, seating, and vehicle accessories
LPI, Inc.
- Hot tubs and swim spas
- Freeform molded spa shells and structural support systems
- Plumbing, jetting, pumps, heaters, filtration, and insulation
- Electrical controls, wiring, and safety systems
- Cabinetry and cosmetic components
What You’ll Do
- Own the full engineering lifecycle from concept and freeform design through production release, sustaining engineering, and continuous improvement
- Define and execute engineering strategy aligned with product roadmaps, manufacturing capabilities, cost targets, and regulatory requirements
- Lead and develop multidisciplinary engineering teams across mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and quality engineering
- Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Cost (DFC) across all product lines
- Partner closely with manufacturing, supply chain, and quality to support NPI, tooling development, and production readiness
Regulatory & Compliance Responsibility (DOT)
- Ensure Whisper Carts products comply with applicable DOT / FMVSS requirements for low-speed vehicles and on-road applications where required
- Lead engineering interpretation and implementation of:
- Vehicle lighting, reflectors, mirrors, and glazing requirements
- Braking, steering, and occupant protection requirements
- Labeling, VIN, and certification documentation (as applicable)
- Partner with legal, compliance, and manufacturing teams to ensure products are properly documented, tested, and released for sale
- Support audits, customer inquiries, and regulatory reviews related to DOT compliance
Engineering Analysis & Validation (FEA)
- Establish and govern the use of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to support design decisions and risk reduction
- Oversee structural, fatigue, and deflection analysis for:
- Frames and chassis
- Suspension and load-bearing components
- Molded structures and hybrid assemblies
- Ensure FEA is:
- Appropriately correlated with physical testing and validation
- Used to inform design margins, material selection, and cost optimization
- Integrate analysis results into formal design reviews and design-freeze decisions
Engineering Systems & Tools You’ll Own
CAD & Design
- SolidWorks for parametric part and assembly design, drawings, configurations, and basic analysis
- Rhino for freeform surfacing and consumer-facing geometry
PDM / PLM (SolidWorks)
- Own and govern SolidWorks PDM / PLM as the system of record
- Define and enforce part numbering, BOM structures, revision control, and ECR/ECO/ECN workflows
- Ensure full traceability from CAD models to released production data
- Align PDM/PLM workflows with ISO design and document control requirements
Program & Portfolio Management
- Build and manage engineering schedules and resource plans using Microsoft Project and/or Primavera (P6)
- Provide executive visibility into milestones, critical path, capacity, and delivery risk
ERP / MRP Integration
- Ensure accurate engineering data flow into Acumatica and SyteLine
- Govern item masters, BOMs, routings, revision effectivity, and ECO cut-in timing
Quality & ISO
- Lead engineering participation in ISO 9001–certified quality systems
- Ensure design controls, documentation, and change management meet audit requirements
- Support CAPA, validation testing, durability testing, and root-cause analysis
- Drive measurable improvements in quality, warranty performance, and manufacturing yield
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
- 10+ years of engineering experience in vehicles, consumer durable goods, or industrial equipment
- 5+ years in engineering leadership roles
- Strong hands-on experience with SolidWorks in a production environment
- Experience implementing or governing SolidWorks PDM / PLM
- Working knowledge of FEA and engineering validation methods
- Experience with DOT / FMVSS compliance for LSV or vehicle-adjacent products
- Experience operating within ISO-certified manufacturing environments
Why This Role
- Broad technical ownership across two manufacturing businesses
- Authority to define engineering standards, systems, and compliance strategy
- Direct impact on product quality, safety, and scalability
- High-visibility leadership role working closely with operations and executive leadership
