What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Engineering position at Kindred Motorworks?
Company Overview
Kindred is a rapidly growing, venture backed start-up focused on unlocking the conversion of gasoline vehicles to electric using our technology and scale.
We are marketing folks, technicians, software developers, mechanical engineers, designers, painters, and car lovers. We love a whiff of gasoline and we geek out about the torque provided by electric motors. Above all we believe the world is a better place with vintage cars out on the road.
We strive to create a meaningful workplace at Kindred, which means something different for each of our team members. For some, it’s getting these immortal vehicles on the road. For others it’s the portion of revenue we donate to our local community for every vehicle sold. For many at Kindred, it’s the inclusive work environment we’ve created.
Our cars create joyful experiences for our customers and immense pride for our team. If you can match our passion, values, and work ethic, we want you!
Position Summary
The Director of Engineering is responsible for ensuring that all Kindred vehicles mature from concept to customer ready with a sense of urgency and a focus on quality, performance, efficiency, and simplicity. This role will be responsible for ensuring that all engineering outputs are clearly documented, manufacturable, communicated, and smoothly implemented into production.
As the leader of the engineering team, you establish clear performance standards and hold each member of the team to a high level of accountability. Quality of work must be top notch and deadlines must be met.
Kindred is a startup, and the right candidate will need to be comfortable building processes and developing a high performing engineering team without a well-defined, existing framework. You will develop strong cross-functional working relationships with Design, Supply Chain, Process, and Production. This role will be critical in developing and maintaining SOPs, KPIs, reporting systems, managing change control processes, optimizing engineering reporting, automating key workflows, and driving operational efficiency. Additionally, you will possess strong project management skills and data-driven decision-making processes.
This position oversees Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Vehicle Controls Engineering.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following :
- Develop and mentor a high performing engineering team
- Lead end-to-end execution of engineering projects, driving efficiency and manufacturability
- Ensure project milestones are completed on-time and within budget
- Develop and maintain project tracking systems - project status, risks, and milestones
- Establish a structured Engineering Change Control (ECC) process
- Implement best-in-class ECR and ECO processes
- Standardize engineering documentation and reporting
- Optimize workflows to improve efficiency and minimize disruptions
- Collaborate with procurement / supply chain - material availability and sourcing strategies
- Conduct weekly project reviews - track progress, resolve roadblocks, drive accountability
- Optimize designs for manufacturability, cost-effectiveness, and efficient production
- Standardize part selection and material usage to support scalable production
- Track and analyze engineering related defect rates and implement corrective actions
- Ensure cross functional collaboration - design, supply chain, procurement, and production
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
Desired Skills
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
The work environment may include exposure to noise, fumes, and heat. Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times in accordance with safety regulations.
Walking, sitting, standing, bending, and stooping. Lifting, carrying, or pushing / pulling supplies, materials, equipment and / or items weighing up to 75 pounds. Clean and well-organized unconditioned shop environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but at times requires ear plugs, use of eye protection, and / or occasional use of a respirator.
The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.
