Engineering Manager at Enthusiast Auto Holdings

Description

About Enthusiast Auto Holdings (EAH):

Enthusiast Auto Holdings (EAH) is a highly successful e-commerce company in the automotive aftermarket parts industry. EAH goes to market via ten enthusiast focused websites (banners) - ECS Tuning, Turner Motorsport, Pelican Parts, Rennline, Texas Speed & Performance, Z1 Motorsports, Z1 Off-Road, RCI Off-Road, EVANNEX and TEQSPORT. EAH serves automotive enthusiast customers who are passionate about how their vehicle looks and performs, by providing the parts, content, knowledge and support to make their vehicle come to life. We also serve a global network of specialty installer shops that solve for customers looking for a "Do it For Me" option. EAH’s leadership team has delivered strong organic growth with market-leading profitability. EAH has also completed multiple acquisitions and plans continued expansion of its served markets via acquisition.

EAH is owned and supported by Cortec Group, a premier private equity firm. Cortec has invested millions of dollars to expand EAH’s operations, facilities, technology, and leadership. Among other investments, EAH has recently completed a significant facility expansion at its primary distribution center and is in the process of implementing enterprise-level ERP / WMS / OMS systems.

EAH is seeking an Engineering Manager to build, define, and execute on our house brand engineered product pipeline for our Ohio based German brands. This position will report directly to the Vice President of Research and Development and will be responsible for overseeing all engineering activities. This position will be based out of the Company’s Wadsworth, OH headquarters, with travel requirements to other banners.

Position Summary:

The Engineering Manager will be a passionate automotive enthusiast with strong leadership qualities and excellent verbal and written communication skills. This individual must demonstrate a proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-accountability team environment, approaching problem-solving with a positive, solutions-oriented mindset. A keen attention to detail, strong analytical thinking, and a continuous improvement mindset are critical to success in this role.

Our ideal candidate is a self-motivated team player who is proactive in identifying tasks and executing them independently. They are highly organized, with a strong inclination toward planning, delegation, and follow-through—both personally and in holding others accountable to the same high standard. A comprehensive understanding of automotive systems and exceptional mechanical aptitude are essential prior to joining the ECS Tuning team. This technical expertise is foundational when directing the design of new components or modifications to existing systems. The successful candidate will possess a deep understanding of system integration and its impact on safety and performance, enabling effective leadership and direction of the engineering team.

Key Summary of Responsibilities

• People Leadership & Culture
  • Recruit, lead and manage the design engineering team with a focus on high performance, development, and engagement.
  • Promote equity and fairness by treating all team members and stakeholders with respect.
  • Build and sustain a positive culture by inspiring, energizing, and motivating the team.
• Product Strategy & Roadmap
  • Develop and execute a 12–24 month product roadmap in collaboration with the Brand and Product teams.
  • Deliver world-class products by translating product concepts into precise design specifications, ensuring rapid time-to-market without compromising quality.
• Engineering Execution & Program Management
  • Manage the design pipeline by coordinating projects across the engineering team to meet cost, design, and throughput goals.
  • Oversee product programs through close collaboration with internal teams and external vendors.
  • Proactively identify and resolve roadblocks through ownership, collaboration, analysis, and timely resolution.
• Quality  & Continuous Improvement
  • Ensure engineering quality across all deliverables, driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance performance, reliability, and efficiency.
  • Demonstrate strong expense management aligned with annual department budgets and resource plans.
• Cross-Functional  Leadership
  • Foster collaboration across Sourcing & Purchasing, Sales, Product, Distribution, Manufacturing, and other departments to streamline development processes.
  • Serve as a trusted liaison between engineering and other business functions.
    
     

Requirements

•  Associate’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology (or higher) with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in design engineering.
• 8–10 years of experience in personnel management, project management, design, or related roles, including leadership of teams of 3–5 or more individuals.
• Proficiency in 3D design and drafting software (SolidWorks or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of drafting standards and fundamental manufacturing processes.
• Deep technical knowledge of suspension, braking, exhaust, turbo, and engine/drivetrain systems, with a solid grasp of related engineering principles.
• Familiarity with vehicle emissions and safety compliance standards (EPA, CARB, ADAS, etc.).
• Proven ability to conduct research, perform technical engineering tasks, and make data-driven decisions independently.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with a passion for driving positive organizational change.
• Strong track record of developing creative, innovative design solutions and enthusiasm for automotive engineering.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent) with at least 10 years of  professional experience in design engineering within the automotive or related industry.
• Advanced knowledge of manufacturing processes to support design optimization (e.g., machining, sheet metal, plastics, composites).
• Experience with engineering simulation tools such as FEA and CFD..
• In-depth knowledge of European automotive platforms, including Porsche, BMW, Audi, VW, and Mercedes-Benz.
• Hands-on experience modifying or working on personal automotive projects.

What Success Looks Like

• Provides effective leadership with the ability to consistently hold team members accountable while fostering growth and engagement.
• Demonstrates strong self-motivation, drive to succeed, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Collaborates proactively across departments and with external vendors to identify and resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Solves problems independently and participates actively in cross-functional teamwork.
• Organizes and manages product pipelines effectively—particularly those related to Volkswagen, Audi, and BMW—ensuring delivery of both designs and final products that align with project goals.
• Takes ownership of ambitious time-to-market targets, while driving continuous refinement of development processes.
• Maintains clear, consistent communication with cross-functional teams across the organization. 
• Brings a consistently positive attitude and proactive mindset to daily work.
• Demonstrates strong problem-solving ability with a bias for action and results.
• Models and promotes the company’s core values: communication, transparency, collaboration, trust, and respect.

Please include salary expectations along with your ECS Tuning Job Application. This position requires working at least 40 hours per week on-site at our Wadsworth location.