Design Engineering Supervisor

Steel Partners•Pleasant Prairie, WI

About The Position

The Design Engineering Supervisor leads the design engineering activities and has technical responsibility for the product throughout the entire lifecycle of those products. They are responsible for leadership within their design engineering team for new product development, sustaining product engineering, standardization, and managing the team personnel. They are responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring design activities. They can create work plans for themselves, and their group based on the department and project objectives.

Requirements

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, or similar).
Master’s degree in noted engineering disciplines, engineering management, or business administration preferred.
Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
Master’s degree in engineering management or business administration preferred.
Minimum of 5 years of engineering experience, ideally in a management or supervisory role.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate and solve various complex problems using analytical and mathematical methods.
Excellent problem-solving skills and accountability to drive issues to closure.
Demonstrated desire for learning and applying a continuous improvement approach.
Leadership skills necessary to manage and develop a team.
Organizational competencies and project management skills to keep projects, processes, and design engineering team on track.
Self-motivated attitude with the ability to multitask and thrive in a deadline-driven environment.
Demonstrated ability to communicate and work collaboratively, especially to non-technical team members.
Proficient using Microsoft Office tools.
This position requires domestic and international travel of approximately 10 percent.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working in an AS9100 and/or ISO 9001 manufacturing environment is preferrable.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with Sales, Business Development, and/or the customer to gather technical data and applicable supporting information for new programs.
Assist assigned Design Engineer to develop technical concepts and complete the applicable portions of the TPS (Technical Proposal Summary) for new programs, including:
Create and/or approve NRE estimates for new programs (engineering time, tooling, equipment, etc.).
Identify and highlight key technical risks for new programs.
Identify and highlight BOM (bill of material) items that will significantly impact cost and performance.
Work with engineering and cross-functional team members to deliver quality product to the customer.
Propose and oversee budgets and timelines for CI projects to improve capability, quality or speed.
Approve designs and design methods.
Standardize design, design methods and internal processes for design activities.
Collaborate closely with NPD Build team to execute on prototype and pre-production sample builds.
Verify the design meets customer requirements, external product and regulatory standards, and design for manufacturability best practices.
Validate the manufacturing and assembly processes can produce the product as designed.
Communicate regularly with managers and stakeholders on project status, risks, and help needed.
Coordinate technical activities for the RTP (Release to Production) process through initial mass production.
Maintain technical performance and design compliance of existing products.
Direct and lead other activities, with support of your team, such as:
Support for Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain team members when investigating production issues. (SMRRs, CDM-DCRs, etc.)
Design information request support to other departments.
Efficient evaluation and disposition of Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) and execution of Engineering Change Orders (ECOs).
Qualifying design changes, alternate materials, supplier changes, etc.
Lead product improvement projects and guide engineering team members for quality improvement, cost reduction, and performance upgrades.
Act as technical liaison with customers and suppliers on key issues.
Accountable for main design decisions.
Create drawing standards and best practices for product designs.
Answer questions and resolve issues brought forth by the engineering team members.
Check and confirm the accuracy and validity of work performed and the methods used by Design Engineering team members.
Implement efficient working methods within the team.
Provide feedback for and initial approval of capital projects.
Identify opportunities for new and improved products and spearhead continuous improvement initiatives.
Prepare and deliver various engineering-related presentations.
Lead and manage the Design Engineers
Provide regular personnel management including clear communication of goals and expectations while ensuring compliance to company policies.
Support team members’ personal needs and remove roadblocks to promote optimal performance.
Create and help execute personal development plans for team members.
Assess team member performance throughout the year and provide feedback during performance review periods.
Hire and train new engineering team members.
Support Engineering Manager / VP of Engineering in determining staffing needs.
Ability to work individually or as part of a team.
Communicate and collaborate with other cross-functional team members, suppliers, and contractors.
Provide a positive working environment that reflects our core values of Teamwork, Respect, Integrity, and Commitment.
Perform other duties as assigned.