Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Gradian Thermal Solutions•Dayton, MN

1d•$120,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

Gradian is an engineering-led, full-line thermal solutions partner serving data center and other mission-critical, commercial, and industrial markets. The Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Manager is the forward-looking product, technology, and process-launch leader responsible for determining how new products will be manufactured before they reach a plant floor. Reporting to the Director of Manufacturing Engineering, this role leads Advanced Manufacturing Engineers responsible for new product launches, technology deployment, automation and Industry 4.0 implementation, and pre-production process development across Air, Liquid, Chiller, DX, and CDU product lines. The manager owns the handoff between product design and sustaining production by developing and proving out manufacturing processes, technology, and capital equipment before transferring stabilized lines to plant-level Manufacturing Engineering Managers. The role also owns Manufacturing Execution System (MES) strategy and digital manufacturing platform deployment, enabling a connected, visually managed production environment across Gradian’s network.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
8–10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
Demonstrated experience leading new technology deployment, automation, or process launches.
Strong working knowledge of DFM/DFA, FMEA, Lean Six Sigma, and structured launch methodologies such as 3P.
Experience specifying, justifying, and managing capital equipment projects.
Proven ability to lead and develop a technical engineering team.

Nice To Haves

Experience with MES selection, implementation, or administration.
Experience with automation, robotics, and PLC-based systems.
Experience in HVAC, thermal management, or data center cooling equipment manufacturing.
Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent certification.
Experience supporting multi-site or multi-plant technology deployment.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a team of Advanced Manufacturing Engineers, setting technical direction and building capability in automation, controls, and advanced process design.
Own development and implementation of manufacturing processes, technology, and capital equipment supporting new product development programs, from concept through stabilized production handoff.
Specify and procure capital equipment for new line launches and technology upgrades, and develop and justify capital project budgets.
Lead product and process transfers and new line launches, coordinating with Design Engineering, Program Management, and plant Operations to execute NPDI milestones.
Apply DFM/DFA, FMEA, 3P, and Lean Six Sigma methodologies to ensure new processes are capable, safe, and scalable before transfer to sustaining production.
Provide multi-site technology deployment support and partner with plant Manufacturing Engineering Managers to implement standardized, proven technology and processes across the network.
Mentor and teach the cross-functional NPD engineering process to build organizational capability beyond the direct team.
Develop and drive the automation and Industry 4.0 technology roadmap, identifying and implementing automation, robotics, and digital manufacturing opportunities across the plant network.
Own MES strategy and implementation in partnership with plant-level Manufacturing Engineering Managers and IT.
Partner with plant Manufacturing Engineering Managers and the Director of Manufacturing Engineering to ensure new processes are well documented at handoff into sustaining production.
Evaluate production capacity and capability of new and existing technology and recommend enhancements to support growth.
Ensure safety and ergonomics are designed into new processes and equipment from the outset, in compliance with OSHA and applicable codes.