Access Product Engineering Manager - San Antonio, Texas

Work on the 1-million sq. ft. factory is now under way on the 400-acre site. It will be the company’s second largest plant, rivalled only by JCB’s world headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire, England, and create 1,500 new jobs over five years. The factory will make Loadall telescopic handlers and aerial access equipment, with production scheduled to start in 2026. The factory will also have the capacity to expand and build other products in the future.

Company Profile

80 years and countless innovations later, JCB is the world’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment. At 23 plants spanning four continents—and countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, India and Brazil—JCB manufactures a range of more than 300 products including telescopic handlers, backhoeloaders, excavators, wheel loaders, compact excavators, skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, Accessaerial work platforms, rough terrain forklifts, and tractors.

JCB people are at the heart of our business and as a family-owned business we answer to our customers, not a group of shareholders. That freedom allows us to concentrate on developing the latest technologies and incorporating them into our equipment. We focus on what our customer needs on the jobsite – a machine that holds up in the toughest environment and increases their productivity.

At JCB, we stand behind our products – and our name.

Position Purpose

The Current Product Engineering Manager for JCB Access will lead the global current product engineering function for the Access business, with a strong focus on delivering product robustness, quality improvement, cost reduction, and manufacturing process optimisation.

The role will initially be based at the JCB Jaipur plant to support current production and engineering activities, with regular visits to the JCB UK headquarters for alignment and stakeholder engagement. By Q2 2027, the role will transition permanently to the new JCB San Antonio plant, where the manager will lead and grow the Current Product Engineering (CPE) team for JCB Access in North America.

A strong background in Aerial Work Platform (AWP) design is essential.

Position Type

Full Time, Exempt

Major Tasks, Responsibilities & Key Accountabilities

Current Product Leadership

• Lead the Current Product Engineering (CPE) team for the JCB Access product line once established in San Antonio.
• Drive engineering ownership of existing AWP products, ensuring ongoing product improvement, robustness, and customer satisfaction.
• Prioritise and execute engineering tasks related to product updates, reliability issues, warranty reduction, and design improvements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the NPIP (New Product Introduction Process) Engineering Manager to ensure product consistency, shared architecture, and synergy between new-generation and current machines.
• Collaborate with Service and Quality departments to proactively resolve field issues, drive root-cause investigations, and implement corrective actions.
• Partner with Operations teams to optimise manufacturing processes, enhance build quality, reduce cost, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work with San Antonio Purchasing and Manufacturing teams on product transition, localisation, and supplier development.

Product Localisation & Transition (San Antonio)

• Support engineering readiness for the setup of the JCB Access production line at the San Antonio plant.
• Lead engineering support for BOM transition, localisation efforts, VA/VE activities, and manufacturing integration.
• Align product specifications, design changes, and validation plans needed for US‑based manufacturing.

Technical Expertise

• Provide deep technical expertise in Aerial Work Platform design,including structural, hydraulic, electrical, control, and safety systems.
• Support design updates that meet North American regulatory requirements (e.g., ANSI A92).
• Ensure all engineering activities comply with JCB standards, safety requirements, and global product strategies.

Leadership & Team Development

• Build, mentor, and grow the Current Product Engineering team at JCB San Antonio.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and engineering excellence.
• Ensure seamless communication and integration across global JCB Access engineering teams (UK, India, and USA).

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, or related engineering discipline.
• Extensive experience in Aerial Work Platform (AWP) design.
• 10+ years of engineering experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong background in product lifecycle engineering, sustaining engineering, or current product management.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams: service, quality, operations, and manufacturing.
• Ability to travel internationally as required (India ↔ UK ↔ USA).

Preferred Qualifications

• PE Designation is a strong asset.
• Experience with design for manufacturability and cost (DFM/DFA/VA-VE).
• Familiarity with global regulatory standards for AWP machines (ANSI, CSA, CE, ISO).
• Prior experience in transitioning products to new manufacturing facilities.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and programme leadership skills.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Competencies

• Technical leadership
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Team building and talent development
• Project management
• Decision-making under pressure
• Collaboration across global teams
• Continuous improvement mindset

Job Conditions

• Both office environment and occasionally manufacturing/factory environment
• Subject to noise and temperature changes

Physical Requirements

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

JCB is an equal employment opportunities (EEO) employer in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. JCB complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. EEO EMPLOYER/VET/DISABLED.

JCB Inc. is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status; however, as a global company, JCB offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S. which can be found through our website at https://www.jcb.com/en-gb/about/careers.

Disclaimer: This job description is general in nature and is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

JobFamily

Engineering

PayType

Salary