Peterson Manufacturing, a leading manufacturer of vehicle safety lighting and electrical systems, is pleased to announce the appointment of Israel Hildebrandt, P.E., as Vice President of Engineering.
Hildebrandt brings more than 20 years of engineering and product development experience across the automotive and heavy-duty trucking industries. Most recently, he served for five years as Vice President of Engineering at JOST International, leading engineering initiatives within the commercial transportation industry.
His background includes seven years in heavy-duty trucking, along with extensive experience in product development, engineering leadership, and delivering innovative solutions for safety-critical applications.
“Israel brings a valuable combination of technical expertise, industry experience, and engineering leadership to Peterson,” says David Armacost, president and CEO of Peterson Manufacturing. “As we continue to invest in new technologies and product innovation, his experience will play an important role in strengthening our engineering capabilities and supporting the evolving needs of our customers.”
As vice president of engineering, Hildebrandt will lead Peterson’s engineering organization, advancing product development and supporting the company’s commitment to delivering innovative, reliable lighting and electrical solutions for the transportation industry.
“Peterson has a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and American manufacturing,” says Hildebrandt. “I’m excited to join a company with such a rich history and help build on that foundation as we develop the next generation of solutions for our customers.”
Hildebrandt earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and his MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. He is also a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.). He relocated to the Kansas City area in 2026 to join Peterson Manufacturing.
