Department Manager, Engineering

FFE Inc.•Cincinnati, OH

1d•$160,000 - $190,000•Hybrid

About The Position

FFE is seeking an Engineering Department Manager to support our growing Cincinnati-based team. As Engineering Department Manager, you will lead and mentor a talented group of engineers, drive design innovation, and manage complex projects from conception to completion. This is a leadership role focused on collaboration, execution, and excellence—requiring both technical expertise and the ability to inspire a high-performing team. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to self-learning and continuous professional development.

Requirements

10+ years’ experience in engineering
Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university
PE license required
Experience leading, developing, and growing engineering teams.
Healthcare project experience preferred
Experience with preparing contract documents (Drawings and Specs)
Experience in leadership and management in an A/E firm or similar environment
Experience delivering projects of varying scale and complexity.
Strong understanding of building codes, zoning regulations, and construction practices.
Experience with project management and accounting software (Ajera preferred).
Experience with engineering design software, including Revit

Nice To Haves

You are a proactive, life-long learner who thrives on challenges and continually seeks to improve yourself and those around you.
You demonstrate strategic thinking and can align departmental goals with broader organizational objectives.
You are a natural mentor and team builder, providing thoughtful guidance, encouragement, and feedback to help others grow.
You bring a solution-oriented mindset and stay calm and focused in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
You have a strong sense of ownership and accountability—you take initiative, follow through, and raise the bar for what’s possible.
You’re a clear communicator, capable of articulating complex ideas to technical and non-technical audiences alike.
You are passionate about healthcare design and understand the profound impact your work has on patient outcomes and care environments.
You’re collaborative, open-minded, and eager to build strong partnerships both inside and outside of the firm.
You embrace innovation, stay current with industry trends, and are excited to champion new ideas and tools that drive excellence.

Responsibilities

Department Leadership: Set direction, delegate responsibilities, and provide day-to-day guidance to a team of engineers across multiple disciplines. Recruit, develop, and retain engineering talent while helping shape the future structure and capabilities of the department.
Project Execution: Oversee engineering projects from concept through completion—ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality standards are consistently met.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with architects, project managers, quality control, and marketing teams to deliver integrated design solutions and win new work.
Client Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships through regular communication, problem-solving, and project updates. Ensure client expectations are met or exceeded.
Technical Oversight: Review and approve technical deliverables including drawings, specifications, and engineering reports. Provide recommendations and resolve complex design challenges.
Quality Assurance: In partnership with the QC Manager, enforce engineering standards, ensure compliance with codes and regulations, and promote continuous improvement.
Mentorship & Performance Management: Support professional development, conduct performance reviews, and provide constructive feedback to team members.
Process Optimization: Continuously evaluate and refine engineering workflows, documentation standards, and team structures to improve efficiency and output. Monitor department workload, utilization, and staffing needs to support sustainable growth and successful project delivery.
Strategic Contribution: Align departmental goals with company-wide initiatives. Identify opportunities for innovation, sustainable design, and thought leadership.
Industry Presence: Represent FFE at conferences, networking events, and client interviews. Contribute to presentations, proposals, and marketing content as needed.