Company Overview

Kindred is a rapidly growing, venture backed start-up focused on unlocking the conversion of gasoline vehicles to electric using our technology and scale.

We are marketing folks, technicians, software developers, mechanical engineers, designers, painters, and car lovers. We love a whiff of gasoline and we geek out about the torque provided by electric motors. Above all we believe the world is a better place with vintage cars out on the road.

We strive to create a meaningful workplace at Kindred, which means something different for each of our team members. For some, it’s getting these immortal vehicles on the road. For others it’s the portion of revenue we donate to our local community for every vehicle sold. For many at Kindred, it’s the inclusive work environment we’ve created.

Our cars create joyful experiences for our customers and immense pride for our team. If you can match our passion, values, and work ethic, we want you!

Position Summary

The Engineering Manager is responsible for ensuring that all Kindred vehicles mature from concept to customer ready, with a focus on quality, simplicity, and manufacturability. It is critical that you can develop, socialize, and meet project deliverables and timelines. The ability to manage a team is core to this role – defining processes, setting clear expectations and deadlines, providing constructive feedback, and holding each team member accountable. You will be responsible for ensuring that all engineering outputs are clearly documented, manufacturable, and smoothly implemented into production.

Kindred is a startup, and the right candidate will need to be comfortable building processes and developing a high performing engineering team without a well-defined, existing framework. This role must be highly collaborative and form strong cross-functional working relationships with Design, Supply Chain, Process, and Production.

This position oversees Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Develop and mentor a high performing engineering team
• Ensure that the team is focused on simplicity, efficiency, and manufacturability
• Ensure project milestones are completed on-time and within budget
• Ensure cross functional collaboration - design, process, supply chain, and production
• Develop and maintain project tracking systems - project status, risks, and milestones
• Standardize part selection and material usage to support scalable production
• Optimize designs for manufacturability and simplicity
• Define SOPs, KPIs, and ensure accountability
• Standardize engineering documentation and reporting
• Optimize workflows to improve efficiency and minimize disruptions
• Establish a structured Engineering Change Control (ECC) process
• Conduct bi-weekly cross functional design reviews
• Track and analyze engineering related defect rates and implement corrective actions

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• 5+ years in engineering leadership roles - preferably in a manufacturing environment
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Proven project management experience
• Demonstrated ability to define, track, and optimize KPIs
• Experience implementing structured change processes across multiple products
• Strong understanding of manufacturing design principles and scalability (DFM)
• Strong leadership presence – Able to set clear expectations and hold people accountable

Desired Skills

• Automotive experience
• Proficiency with OnShape (CAD) and Arena (PLM)
• Experience with EVs (Electric Vehicles)

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

The work environment may include exposure to noise, fumes, and heat. Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times in accordance with safety regulations.

Walking, sitting, standing, bending, and stooping. Lifting, carrying, or pushing/pulling supplies, materials, equipment and/or items weighing up to 75 pounds. Clean and well-organized unconditioned shop environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but at times requires ear plugs, use of eye protection, and/or occasional use of a respirator.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.