At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and development of high-performance brake systems while mentoring a dynamic engineering team.
- Company: Join GiroDisc, a leading manufacturer of premium brake solutions in a collaborative environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 4-day work week, paid medical benefits, and profit sharing.
- Other info: Experience a culture of ownership and innovation in a fast-paced, exciting industry.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on performance products that thrill drivers and race teams globally.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in mechanical design with expertise in brake systems and hands-on leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
- Giro Disc Racing Brakes - Bellingham, WA
- Full-time, in-person | 4x10 schedule | Senior-level compensation based on experience
About the Role
Giro Disc is looking for a hands-on engineering leader to help shape the next generation of our performance brake products.
This is not a desk-only management role.
The right person will personally design parts, solve hard technical problems, mentor our engineering team, and build the design standards and development discipline needed for Giro Disc’s next stage of growth.
You will lead a small team of engineers while remaining directly involved in CAD, design reviews, calculations, reverse engineering, prototype evaluation, manufacturing support, customer/vehicle requirements, and production release.
We are especially interested in candidates with deep experience in performance brake systems, calipers, rotors, motorsport components, OEM brake/chassis engineering, or high-performance aftermarket product development.
- What You Will Own
- Lead design and development of performance brake components and systems from concept through production release.
- Personally create and review CAD models, drawings, BOMs, revisions, and production-intent documentation.
- Develop and improve Giro Disc design standards for rotors, hats, brackets, calipers, mounting hardware, clearances, tolerances, materials, finishes, and manufacturability.
- Mentor and train the existing engineering team in brake system design, vehicle fitment, caliper/rotor fundamentals, design judgment, inspection methods, and production release discipline.
- Provide technical leadership for new product architecture, including rotor and hat designs, big brake kits, caliper development, mounting brackets, piston sizing, brake balance considerations, and packaging around wheels, suspension, hubs, and uprights.
- Work closely with manufacturing to ensure designs are practical to machine, inspect, assemble, inventory, and service.
- Support reverse engineering of OE components and vehicle packages using CMM/scan/inspection tools, CAD surfacing/layout methods, and sound engineering judgment.
- Create validation plans for fitment, thermal performance, durability, stiffness, runout, torque capacity, service life, and real-world track/street use.
- Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Production, suppliers, dealers, race teams, and customers to translate real requirements into robust products.
- Lead design reviews, risk reviews, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement projects.
- Help evaluate new technologies, materials, coatings, friction interfaces, manufacturing methods, and testing methods relevant to performance braking.
- Build a culture of engineering ownership: clear requirements, clean CAD, correct drawings, controlled revisions, thoughtful tolerances, and designs that work the first time.
- Provide technical and project leadership across a diverse portfolio of engineering initiatives beyond core product design, driving schedules, resolving roadblocks, and making key decisions to ensure successful project outcomes.
What You Bring
- 8+ years of mechanical/product design experience, with significant responsibility for production-intent parts or systems.
- Strong background in brake systems, motorsport components, chassis/suspension systems, performance aftermarket products, or safety-critical mechanical assemblies.
- Demonstrated ability to lead other engineers while still doing hands-on design work yourself.
- High proficiency in Solid Works or comparable 3D CAD, including assemblies, drawings, tolerancing, revision control, and design-for-manufacture practices.
- Practical understanding of CNC machining, fixturing, tooling, inspection, GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, material selection, heat treatment, surface finish, and production variation.
- Ability to make sound engineering tradeoffs between performance, weight, stiffness, cost, manufacturability, serviceability, inventory complexity, and customer needs.
- Comfortable using inspection tools and reverse-engineering methods to understand OE vehicle geometry and packaging constraints.
- Strong communication skills with engineers, machinists, production staff, salespeople, suppliers, and technically sophisticated customers.
- A bias toward action, ownership, and practical problem solving. You should enjoy being close to the parts, the machines, and the end users.
- Highly Valuable Experience
- Brake caliper design: piston sizing, seal grooves, bridge stiffness, pad abutments, fluid passages, knockback, thermal behavior, pressure testing, serviceability, and manufacturing methods.
- Rotor and hat design: air gap/vent design, thermal mass, vane geometry, mounting hardware, float, flange flatness, runout control, cracking modes, corrosion protection, and assembly stack-ups.
- Brake system performance: bias, torque calculations, thermal capacity, pad selection, track duty cycles, pedal feel, ABS interaction, and vehicle-level integration.
- Motorsport or track-focused development, including dyno testing, track feedback, race team/customer support, and failure analysis.
- CAE/FEA or thermal analysis experience, especially when used pragmatically to guide design decisions rather than as a substitute for testing.
- Experience in ISO 9001 or similar controlled engineering/release environments.
- Supplier development, casting/forging/machining process knowledge, or bringing a new mechanical product line from blank sheet to production.
- Experience with top level high-performance braking systems, OEM brake/chassis groups, race teams, or similar performance brake environments.
Who We Are
Giro Disc is a privately owned U.
S. manufacturer of premium two-piece brake rotors and performance braking solutions for enthusiasts, race teams, shops, and high-end sports/exotic vehicles around the world.
We design, machine, assemble, and support our products in Bellingham, Washington.
Our size allows quick decisions, direct ownership, close connection to manufacturing, and real influence over the product roadmap.
We believe in excellence, integrity, innovation, customer focus, teamwork, and work-life balance.
This is a rare opportunity for a brake systems expert to make an immediate impact without being buried in corporate layers.
What We Offer
- Competitive senior-level salary based on experience and fit.
- Relocation assistance for the right candidate.
- 4x10 work schedule with Fridays off.
- Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
- Paid medical benefits.
- Company-matched 401(k).
- Profit sharing program.
- Collaborative manufacturing environment where engineers are close to the product and the people making it.
- The chance to build meaningful products used by serious drivers, race teams, and performance shops worldwide.
Engineering Manager - Brake Systems in Bellingham employer: Girodisc Racing Brakes
GiroDisc Racing Brakes is an exceptional employer located in Bellingham, WA, offering a unique opportunity for hands-on engineering leaders to directly influence the design and development of high-performance brake systems. With a collaborative work culture that prioritises innovation and teamwork, employees benefit from a 4x10 work schedule, competitive compensation, and opportunities for professional growth while being closely connected to manufacturing processes. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the motorsport industry and enjoy a supportive environment that values work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Manager - Brake Systems in Bellingham
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Girodisc Racing Brakes.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Girodisc Racing Brakes love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Girodisc Racing Brakes and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Manager - Brake Systems in Bellingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Girodisc Racing Brakes and the Engineering Manager - Brake Systems role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Girodisc Racing Brakes
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Girodisc Racing Brakes.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Girodisc Racing Brakes.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Girodisc Racing Brakes, making you a more appealing candidate.
