Director, Product Engineering

Job Summary The Director of Product Engineering is a strong leader with a proven track record of directing and planning the Engineering & Quality activities and working with multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams. This individual sets the engineering group’s standards, best practices and drives continuous improvement. The Director provides complete mechatronics and systems engineering resource planning, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, reliability, (and software) engineering, to ensure all engineering elements are working seamlessly as a system and on schedule according to roadmaps & customer requirements developed with Product Management.    The Director supports customer and manufacturing initiatives, driving continuous improvements & lean manufacturing in efficiency, productivity and cost reductions. The Director oversees the quality function, supporting supplier, manufacturing and customer quality initiatives, root cause analysis and improvements. The Director assures the overall output quality and efficiency of the engineering & quality teams, continuously improving, and “raising the bar”, for the engineering & quality processes infrastructure, and mentoring and growing internal talent and teamwork while driving the company’s vision for growth through successful execution of multiple large-scale projects.      Essential Job Functions * Develop innovative new products to expand and secure Hillman’s position in the marketplace by collaborating with Sales and Marketing teams to understand market trends and develop product solutions in accordance with the New Product Development (NPD) process. Translate new product opportunities into robust (NPD) project roadmaps, with individual resource plans to ensure the roadmap can be supported and sustained. Resource and drive continuous improvement of existing products with effective product road maps.  Achieve product development goals including product quality, cost, and delivery through application of Engineering project management and process best practices. Supports manufacturing and suppliers in continuous process improvements, with root cause analysis, problem resolution and cost reduction, and track progress with KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). Fully plans and manages the Engineering team’s annual budget down to project and resource level, ensuring overall budget is met and owning responsibility for finding creative solutions when unplanned expenses/needs arise. Assure intellectual property is captured and protected during the product development cycle. Develop and maintain Engineering technical acumen necessary to develop world–class products by maintaining an effective technical training program teaching best design and development practices. Assures new product reliability and perceived quality through rigorous DFMEA risk management, product qualification testing and design reviews. Assures all relevant regulatory, safety, environmental and compliance requirements are met by the team and works to improve team effectiveness.  Continually work to improve Hillman’s overall NPD project lead-times, from concept through to launch, with interdepartmental collaboration and buy-in.  Direct supervision of Engineering & Quality managers & senior level engineers, including setting the engineering strategy, goal setting, performance reviews mentoring and career development planning.  Provides mentorship & career development on best practices, skill set development plans & succession planning for engineering & quality teams.   * This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.   Employees are expected and encouraged to participate in safety and health program activities including immediately reporting hazards, immediately reporting unsafe work practices and incidents to supervisors, wearing required personal protective equipment, and participating in and supporting safety committee activities.   Education & Experience   BS/BA in Mechanical, Electrical or Manufacturing Engineering and 15 years’ experience in a manufacturing organization or related field. 10 years proven experience leading multidiscipline teams, as well as managing multiple new product/manufacturing projects with cross-functional teams. Experience building & motivating new teams, rebuilding/retooling existing teams, and managing teams remotely. Experience in mentoring and developing the Engineering Team and teaching others (EG NPD process and related tasks). Excellent mechanical & mechatronics design, development and successful product launch experience in new product development and/or manufacturing; able to deliver complete product solutions and integrate multifunctional team inputs (manufacturing, supplier, tooling, software, electronics, etc.). Use of Lean Problems Solving Tools: Experience handling highly complex issues, root cause problem solving analysis and in most cases is the final decision-maker in design questions within the segment Engineering & Quality teams.       Competencies – Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities   Proven Engineering & Quality leadership experience in a manufacturing organization. Excellent practical and working knowledge of engineering design, development, materials and manufacturing processes. Strong communication, listening & presentation skills. Able to present Ideas, solution and concepts. Excellent team building skills and a strong team player with both multidisciplinary internal & external team members, with a focus on customer needs and driving consensus within the organization. Ability to develop, mentor, nurture and grow others in a continuous learning environment. Experience in innovation and engineering from inception to deployment to on-going product support and improvement. New Product Development Process:  Innovation, Brainstorming, Prototyping through to “End of Life” Support Understanding Component Manufacturing Processes: Complex machined & 3D Printed parts PCB and Cable Harness Manufacturing Plastic injection molded parts Sheet Metal Forming and stamping Zinc and aluminum alloy die castings Sheet metal stampings Inspection, Performance and Reliability Testing: Understanding, meeting and/or exceeding customer needs & requirements   Design for Assembly and Manufacturability Lean Manufacturing & Root Cause Analysis Process Improvements & Cost Reductions Strong SolidWorks or other similar 3D modeling/CAD software packages, PLM/PDM, Analysis and Simulation Tools with an advanced understanding of GD&T, tolerancing and basic part dimensional inspection methods; fully understands related industry standards. Strong Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.   Operational Equipment   N/A   Work Environment and Physical Demands Work Environment Office: Office setting. Seldom exposed to fumes or airborne particles. Loud working environment of the shop area. Functional vision and hearing required. Physical Demands Office: Sedentary.