Director, Engineering

Oatey • Cleveland, OH

2d • $120,060 - $198,098

About The Position

The Director of Engineering leads Oatey’s engineering organization with responsibility for driving innovation, establishing technical standards, and ensuring execution excellence across New Product Development (NPD), Sustaining Engineering, and Engineering Operations. This role oversees the development of CAD best practices, manages engineering resources, and partners cross-functionally to deliver high-quality, cost-effective products that support Oatey’s long-term strategic goals.

Requirements

• 10+ years of engineering experience including 5+ years of management/supervisory experience.
• Proven success leading engineering teams in a manufacturing or product-based organization (plumbing, building materials, or industrial products preferred).
• Demonstrated expertise in CAD standards development, 3D modeling, and engineering documentation methodologies.
• Significant experience managing New Product Development, sustaining engineering, and lifecycle management.
• Strong track record in resource planning, project management, and cross-functional leadership.
• Familiarity with PLM/PDM systems (e.g., SolidWorks PDM, Autodesk Vault, Teamcenter) and modern design toolchains.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to influence and drive change in a matrixed environment.
• Proficiency in Lean, Design for Manufacturability (DFM), and continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field required, or equivalent relevant experience in lieu of degree.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree (MBA or Engineering) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for the Engineering team in alignment with corporate goals, product roadmaps, and market needs.
• Develop and lead a high-performing engineering organization through coaching, mentoring, and talent development.
• Drive continuous improvement in engineering processes, documentation, and execution.
• Establish key performance metrics (KPIs) for engineering excellence, productivity, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Oversee all phases of product development—from concept and feasibility through design, validation, and launch.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain to align priorities and ensure timely, cost-effective NPD execution.
• Implement standardized design methodologies, risk management processes (FMEA), and stage-gate discipline to improve launch success.
• Lead efforts to support existing product lines through cost-reduction initiatives, quality improvements, supplier transitions, and regulatory compliance updates.
• Ensure timely resolution of customer, manufacturing, and field issues through strong root-cause analysis and corrective action practices.
• Drive product line optimization and continuous improvement across Oatey’s portfolio.
• Create, implement, and enforce CAD best practices, modeling standards, drawing requirements, revision control procedures, and engineering documentation systems.
• Lead development of engineering workflows using PLM/PDM tools to enhance traceability, accuracy, and collaboration.
• Partner with IT and engineering staff to maintain software, tools, and systems supporting CAD and product data management.
• Develop and manage engineering staffing plans, resource allocation models, and project assignments to balance workload across NPD and sustaining teams.
• Ensure strong project management discipline, including timeline creation, milestone tracking, and risk mitigation.
• Provide clear prioritization and communication to stakeholders regarding engineering capacity, constraints, and deliverables.
• Serve as a key technical voice and strategic partner to Product Management, Operations, Quality, Sales, and Supply Chain.
• Participate in long-term product strategy planning and technology roadmapping.
• Represent engineering in executive reviews, customer meetings, and external partnerships when needed.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off programs and paid company holidays to support flexibility and work-life balance
• Annual Discretionary Cash Profit Sharing
• Immediate eligibility and vesting in 401(k), including 100% company match, up to 5% of eligible compensation
• Market leading health insurance including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance offerings for associates and qualified dependents
• Significant company contribution to Health Savings Account with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability income protection coverage at no cost to associates
• Paid Maternity and Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• A strong set of complementary resources to support associate well-being, including resource groups, EAP, and dedicated mental health support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees