Director, Engineering

Job Purpose:

As the Director of Engineering, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing and driving continuous improvement within the engineering function. This position requires a hands-on leader who is committed to technical excellence, fostering a culture of innovation, and ensuring that our engineering processes align with industry best practices. You will be responsible for ensuring that engineering teams have the resources, capacity, and support they need to thrive, while maintaining operational efficiency and quality. This role reports directly to the General Manager and involves overseeing a team of approximately 20 employees, with two direct reports.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the General Manager Eriez, USA

Primary Responsibilities:

Continuous Improvement Leadership:

• Lead and drive Lean principles within the engineering function to enhance efficiency and eliminate waste
• Implement standard work principles to structure and organize workflows, improving both process efficiency and consistency
• Ensure the engineering function is prepared to meet peak volume demands, with surge capacity strategies in place for increases in workload or project volume
• Technical Oversight:
• Provide expert guidance in Metallurgical and/or Mechanical Engineering, with a focus on design engineering for manufacturing
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure engineering designs are aligned with production and manufacturing capabilities
  
  

Team Leadership and Development:

• Lead a dynamic and growing engineering team, currently consisting of 20 employees with two managers directly reporting to this position
• Promote a collaborative, high-performance culture and support professional development and mentoring within the team.
  
  

Strategic Decision-Making:

• Involved in budgeting processes, ensuring that engineering budgets are aligned with organizational goals
• Make key decisions related to hiring, team growth, and skill development
• Drive the creation and execution of engineering roadmaps that align with long-term business objectives
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with senior leadership, particularly the General Manager, to align engineering goals with overall company strategy
• Partner with operations, production, and quality teams to ensure seamless execution of engineering projects
  
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. A Master's degree is a plus
• Proven experience in an engineering leadership role, ideally within a manufacturing or design engineering environment
• Demonstrated experience in applying Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies within an engineering function
• Strong technical knowledge in Metallurgical or Mechanical Engineering, with a focus on design for manufacturing
• Experience with surge capacity strategies and managing team workloads effectively during peak volumes
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and decision-making skills. Ability to manage and mentor a diverse team, ensuring alignment with company goals and fostering professional growth
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a similar leadership role in an engineering-driven manufacturing organization
• Familiarity with standard work implementation and process optimization
  
  
  

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Resources