If you combine regulatory knowledge and experience working with government agencies with a technical understanding of gasoline engines and emissions, the role of Regulatory Compliance Leader with Kawasaki Engines could your perfect fit. You will help us to understand how changes to emissions regulations will impact our portfolio of products and ensure compliance with key regulations and governing agencies and we develop new products. This is a role that offers and interesting mix of challenge and opportunity. Consider, you will:

• Spotlight your talent as you impact our success and growth momentum through your compliance activities and regulatory knowledge. Success could set you up to advance in our organization. Quick question for you - click here
• Add to your skill set working with agencies, gain leadership experience, fine-tune your emissions knowledge, and more. 
• Join a nice group of like-minded people who enjoy working together, are helpful and supportive, and take pride in their work. Our culture is core to our business so a cultural fit is essential. If the idea of working in a team-oriented environment based on mutual respect sounds appealing, you'll fit right in.
• Enjoy the best of both worlds: the collaborative culture of a talented team here in Grand Rapids, alongside the stability, resources and opportunities of a global industry leader in multiple industries and locations.
• Earn competitive compensation, including a company-wide bonus opportunity, and comprehensive benefits, we offer flexibility around scheduling to help you maintain work/life balance.
• Enjoy working in a nice facility with clean, well-equipped test labs and offices as well as an on-site gym, driving range, ping pong and more.

Kawasaki Engines, a division of Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., distributes gasoline engines for landscape, industrial, and consumer markets. The division is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It sells to and services customers through a network of more than 40 OEMs, 15 distributors, and more than 7,750 independent dealers throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, select countries in Central and South America, and the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific, including Guam.

The ideal candidate will be a driven and self-motivated professional with a mix of regulatory knowledge and technical understanding of gasoline engines and emissions. You will need a professional demeanor, confidence, and strong interpersonal skills to build trust and rapport with a variety of agencies and high-level contacts. 

To be a strong fit for this role, you will have:

• A technical bachelor's degree, such as Engineering, Automotive Technology or similar, or Business with a strong emissions background  
• Mid- to senior-level experience ranging from a strong engineer with 5+ years of experience to an SME with extensive experience
• Experience dealing with government agencies on regulatory compliance
• Understanding of gasoline engine operation and emissions
• Strong leadership skills 
• Project management skills
• Strong organization and prioritization skills with the ability to track multiple projects and due dates
• Strong computer skills including intermediate Microsoft Excel skills (i.e. ability to build spreadsheets) and the ability to navigate web-based applications and systems. Quick question for you - click here
• Strong business math and analytical reasoning ability; ability to read and understand legal documents  
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds
• A positive attitude and team-player mindset with self-motivation and the ability to work independently

Our current COVID precautions make coming into the office voluntary. However, we feel that, as long as the pandemic lasts, you should plan on coming in at least one day a week. Once it's safe to do so, we'll expect you to work full time in the office.

You must also be comfortable traveling independently, up to 30% of the time once it is safe. Most travel will be to Washington DC and California, but you may also visit key customers in the Midwest and travel to Japan every year or two.

Pictured: FX Series professional lawn care 4-stroke, air-cooled, V-twin gasoline engine.

Reporting to the Manager, R&D New Development and Government Relations, as Regulatory Compliance Leader, Engines and Emissions for the Engine Division of Kawasaki Motors Corporation, you will support government relations activities to ensure that Kawasaki and its products comply with all applicable requirements for existing products, new technologies, and future functional engine improvements. The majority of your time focused on four key areas:

• Compliance with current products  
• Working with future regulations 
• Supporting customers with paperwork 
• Assisting with product compliance on a global scale

You’ll partner extensively with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and you’ll also work with other niche industry groups such as the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Outdoor Power Equipment Industry (OPEI). Quick question for you - click here

There’s a significant administrative component to the role, and you’ll be involved with everything from filing papers, certifying and writing reports and submitting disclosures to reading extensive regulatory information. We will also look to you to read, digest, process and interpret information and then bring that knowledge back to your key contacts within Kawasaki. 

Your specific responsibilities may include:

• Observing, understanding, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating throughout multiple diverse divisions within Kawasaki trends in society, the marketplace, and the government that are anticipated to have long- or short-term impact on the company.
• Reviewing and interpreting compliance standards and regulations and communicates findings effectively throughout multiple diverse divisions within Kawasaki.  
• Maintaining awareness of all U.S. and international laws and regulations affecting certification and compliance of Kawasaki engine/consumer products.
• Representing the Kawasaki Engine Division’s interests at all levels of government rulemaking
• Playing a significant role with pre-sale approval and certification programs to ensure that Kawasaki will be permitted to market its products.
• Completing transmittal of necessary information regarding product compliance or emission regulations throughout multiple diverse divisions within Kawasaki to facilitate advanced planning. 
• With little assistance, formulating appropriate responses, under the direction of Kawasaki Engineering, to proposed regulations.
• Participating in the standards development process, under the direction of Kawasaki leadership, with standards development organizations such as Society of Automotive Engineers, American National Standards Institute, International Standards Organization, and Underwriters Laboratories.
• Participating in on-going technical committee activities within the following organizations: Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Society of Automotive Engineers, and Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association.
• Acting as a resource for other departments in meeting the various requirements imposed by State, Federal and international agencies.
• Coordinating testing of company products with government agencies and independent test laboratories. 

Note: this description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

Pictured: FT Series 4-stroke, air-cooled, V-twin gasoline engine for riding lawn mowers. 

Professional development
You will expand your skills and experience in a variety of areas, from learning the ins and outs of our motors to adding to your regulatory experience. We encourage knowledge sharing, and you'll trade ideas and insights with Engineers, Product Development, Planning, Sales and others.​

Career options
Although this role could keep you interested and challenged for years to come, we encourage our employees to pursue advancement. You could pursue other positions within Kawasaki or grow your career within the Engine division. Should additional education be needed for advancement, we offer tuition reimbursement, after one year of employment, for career-relevant education.

Great culture
The Grand Rapids team has over 100 members on site and we have created a friendly and casual (blue jeans are fine) environment with down-to-earth people who enjoy working together and helping one another. We are proud to say that our mission defines us. It is our mission to:

• Encourage empowerment
• Maintain a harmonious and effective work environment built on mutual trust
• Focus on the "team" while recognizing the importance of the individual 
• Promote a culture that embraces professionalism, family, enjoyment, and work/life balance

Excellent compensation
In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a premium benefits package that includes all that you would expect, such as healthcare and other insurances and a 401(k) plan, and a few surprises, including a discount on Kawasaki products, tuition assistance, paid time off and more.​

Innovative products and brand recognition
Motorcycles, lawn & garden products, side x side vehicles, watercraft, ATVs and small engines are just some of the unique consumer products that have made the Kawasaki brand a household name around the world. Kawasaki products lead the power sports industry around the globe. The secret of Kawasaki's success is in designing and manufacturing products that offer balanced performance, high quality, reliability and excellent fit and finish.

Video: Kawasaki Engines FT730V EFI exemplifies the perfect marriage of innovative, intelligent development with exceptional and responsive commercial insight.

To excel in this role you will have keen attention to detail and the ability to understand and interpret data and complex regulatory information. We’re looking for a professional(s) who knows how an engine works and has the ability to understand how changes to an engine may impact emissions and the governing laws--and vice versa. You'll serve as our in-house "EPA Watchdog" as you work to become a subject matter expert in this area. This is a role that will provide the satisfaction of knowing that your efforts directly impact our environment for the better!

While we enjoy strong camaraderie and enjoy having fun, we also take pride in delivering results. The ideal combination for success here is a strong work ethic and an easy-going, friendly approach. In addition, to be an outstanding Regulatory Compliance Leader, you will:

• Learn quickly and stay abreast of all regulations; remain open to new ways of doing things
• Build credibility as an expert to the team
• Effectively track and coordinate knowledge and activities with all involved stakeholders
• Interact effectively with a wide variety of internal and external contacts 
• Achieve goals independently, but also know when to ask for help
• Keep an eye out for ways to improve the regulatory and compliance function
• Take a proactive approach to keeping your product knowledge current