At Backyard Products, we design and manufacture beautiful, high-quality outdoor structures—including gazebos, pergolas, and sheds—that help transform backyards into places people love to spend time. As building codes, engineering requirements, and customer expectations continue to evolve, we're investing in our engineering capabilities to deliver innovative products, exceptional quality, and a seamless customer experience.

We're seeking a Lead Structural Engineer to join our team in Ann Arbor, Michigan area. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced engineering leader who is passionate about structural design, product performance, and developing teams that deliver engineering excellence.

The Opportunity

In this highly visible leadership role, you will oversee the structural engineering function for Backyard Products' portfolio of outdoor structures. As the technical authority for structural design, you will ensure our products meet performance, safety, and regulatory requirements while supporting an exceptional customer experience from product selection through installation.

Reporting to the Chief Innovation Officer, you will lead a team of engineers and design professionals responsible for structural analysis, design standards, product certification, engineering documentation, and continuous improvement initiatives. Working closely with Product Development, Operations, Quality, and external engineering partners, you will drive engineering excellence while helping accelerate product deployment across North America.

This role plays a critical part in improving speed to market, reducing customer friction, enhancing product quality, and strengthening Backyard Products' position as an industry leader in engineered outdoor structures.

This position is based in our Ann Arbor office, with an in-office presence four days per week and one remote workday to support collaboration, team engagement, and effective leadership.

What You'll Do:

Engineering Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of engineers, designers, and drafting professionals by establishing clear goals, driving accountability, and fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and engineering excellence.
• Build organizational capability through mentoring, performance management, succession planning, and professional development initiatives.
• Establish engineering best practices, design review processes, and quality standards that ensure consistent execution across all projects and deliverables.
• Manage engineering priorities, resources, and timelines to support business objectives and customer needs.

Technical Excellence

• Ensure product designs and specifications for gazebos, pergolas, and sheds comply with applicable building codes, engineering standards, and performance requirements, including IBC, IRC, ASCE, and local jurisdictional regulations.
• Perform and oversee structural analyses related to wind, snow, and seismic loading, material selection, connection design, and foundation requirements.
• Partner closely with Product Engineers and CAD Designers to integrate sound structural principles into new and existing products.
• Collaborate with external licensed engineering firms to obtain engineering approvals and certifications required to support product deployment and municipal permitting.
• Monitor changes in building codes, engineering standards, and industry best practices to ensure ongoing compliance and competitiveness.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Innovation

• Partner with Product Development, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, and Customer Experience teams to resolve technical challenges and improve product performance.
• Develop engineering tools, templates, design standards, and quality assurance processes that improve efficiency, scalability, and consistency.
• Support product innovation initiatives focused on safety, durability, sustainability, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Provide technical leadership on strategic initiatives that enhance customer experience and support company growth.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of structural engineering experience, preferably within residential construction, light commercial construction, building products, or wood-frame structures.
• Demonstrated experience preparing engineering plans, calculations, and supporting documentation for product approvals and permitting processes.
• Strong knowledge of structural engineering principles, building codes, and industry standards.
• Proficiency with CAD and structural analysis software such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, RISA, ETABS, STAAD.Pro, or similar platforms.
• Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, or managing engineering and design teams, including responsibility for project execution, technical reviews, and talent development.
• Experience establishing engineering standards, design processes, or quality systems that improve organizational performance.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, allocate resources effectively, and deliver results in a fast-paced product development environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across technical and non-technical teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Civil or Structural Engineering, or the ability to obtain multi-state licensure.
• Experience with outdoor structures, prefabricated products, modular construction, or wood-frame design.
• Familiarity with sustainable materials and design practices.
• Understanding of municipal digital permitting platforms and approval workflows.
• Experience working with national product lines that require multi-jurisdictional engineering review.
• Ability to support occasional site visits and virtual project assessments.

Why Backyard Products

• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement savings plans, and paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional development, continuing education, and career advancement.
• A collaborative environment where engineering innovation directly impacts product quality and customer success.
• The opportunity to lead meaningful work that helps customers create exceptional outdoor living spaces.

Join Our Team

If you're a structural engineering leader who enjoys building teams, solving complex challenges, and designing products that people use and enjoy every day, we'd love to hear from you. Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role.

Backyard Products is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person