Director of Engineering and Service Solutions

At Columbia we come to work every day driven by the belief that innovation can transform industries, empower communities, and create a more efficient, sustainable world.

With operations spanning five continents and a commitment to excellence in service and support, our purpose extends beyond engineering advanced equipment. We are pioneering innovation and paving a better tomorrow with factory automation solutions worldwide.

We are currently seeking a Director of Engineering and Service Solutions to lead our Engineering Design, Controls, Field Service, Customer Support, and Training under one strategic leadership structure. This position plays a critical role in breaking down traditional silos to drive collaboration, accountability, and performance across functional teams. The ideal candidate brings a strong engineering background—ideally in factory automation or industrial machinery—and thrives in a fast-paced, results-driven environment. This is a high-impact leadership role reporting directly to the CP Division President, responsible for delivering exceptional product quality, elevating customer experience, and pushing continuous improvement initiatives.

Summary:

The Director/Manager of Engineering and Service Solutions (ESS) is responsible for overseeing the ESS department, ensuring collaboration between engineering design, R&D, Applications Engineering, Assembly, field service operations, customer support, and continuous improvement. This role reports directly to the CP Division President and leads cross-functional teams to enhance product quality, customer relationships, and internal efficiencies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership & Reporting Structure

• Oversee the Engineering & Service Solutions (ESS) department.
• Ensure seamless integration of engineering and service teams for optimal operational efficiency.
• Manage and guide Functional Teams responsible for different segments within ESS:
• Product & System Engineering – Oversees mechanical, electrical, and product design and improvement.
• Controls Engineers – Completes equipment start up and commissioning, Supports Assembly, 50/50 office and field work.
• Customer Technical Support – Handles remote troubleshooting, warranty claims, and direct customer technical assistance.
• Field Support & Installation – Manages on-site work, start-ups, installations, and emergency troubleshooting.
• Training & Documentation – Develops SOPs, training programs, and technical manuals for internal teams and customers.
• Each supervises a combination of engineering and service personnel within their functional area.

Functional Teams & Responsibilities:

• Field Support & Installation Team
• Personnel: Field Service Engineers, Installers, Startup Technicians, and rotating Engineers.
• Responsibilities:
• Conduct on-site equipment installation and commissioning.
• Perform troubleshooting and emergency service calls.
• Provide hands-on training to customer personnel.
• Rotate engineers through field assignments for practical exposure.
• Product & System Engineering Team
• Personnel: Mechanical, Electrical, and Controls Engineers.
• Responsibilities:
• Design and improve equipment.
• Standardize mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
• Analyze field reports and integrate improvements based on customer feedback.
• Support field teams with technical expertise.
• Controls Engineers
• Personnel: Engineer III, IV, V and senior Service Engineers
• Responsibilities
• Field startup of complicated systems and non-production released equipment (R&D)
• Technical Training
• Product Development
• Customer Technical Support Team
• Personnel: Engineers, Service Technicians, and Support Specialists.
• Responsibilities:
• Provide remote troubleshooting and diagnostics.
• Support warranty claims and customer inquiries.
• Assist field teams with technical expertise.
• Interface with engineering to address recurring service issues and drive design improvements.
• Field work as required
• Training & Documentation Team
• Personnel: Engineers, Manuals, CSS
• Responsibilities:
• Develop and maintain SOPs and best practices.
• Create training programs for internal teams and customers.
• Ensure documentation aligns with product updates and field feedback.
• Create training and assembly materials

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, skills and/or abilities:

Knowledge-

• Software
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PPt, Outlook, Teams)
• Infor M3
• Columbia Vault Tool
• CRM
• Inventor, Autocad

Skills-

• Analytical
• Project/Process Management
• Engineering technical and design skills, analytical, graphical and creative
• Leadership skills: planning, organizing, supervising and motivating
• Computer/Technical
• Communication skills: oral, written, and electronic
• Meeting skills, concluding meetings to objectives
• Project management skills across all project phases
• Clerical/Secretarial

Abilities-

• Ability to deal with abstract and concrete variables, as well as have a high level of efficient creative problem solving and thinking ability.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering required
• 5 years of industry experience required
• Supervisory training or experience required
• Professional Engineering (PE) License preferred
• Experience with analyzing and planning workflow, department production schedules and coordinating with company production schedules and operations planners in maintaining production schedules.
• Understands basic accounting concepts, budgets, income/balance statements, developing ROI, cost and payback analysis.

Columbia Machine offers a full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, short and long term disability, 401(k), incentive compensation, paid holidays, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement. Equal Opportunity Employer - Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply. Columbia does participate in E-Verify. To apply for this exciting career opportunity today, please apply online at www.columbiamachine.com

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Ability to commute/relocate:
• Vancouver, WA 98661: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $120,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year