Director Field Engineering

Austin Powder•Beachwood, OH

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Field Engineering provides strategic leadership for Austin Powder Company's engineering organization and capital project portfolio across North America. This position is responsible for the planning, development, and execution of projects at our manufacturing assets, commercial distribution sites, and strategic capital investments supporting the company's long-term growth objectives. The Director leads a multidisciplinary engineering/project team and ensures that all projects are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable regulatory and company requirements. The role supports the company projects related to facility expansion, process improvements, manufacturing modernization, infrastructure upgrades, process safety initiatives, and strategic capital investments. This position collaborates closely with executive leadership, commercial, manufacturing, SHES, supply chain, and external stakeholders to improve safety, reliability, production capability, quality, cost efficiency, and site utilization while supporting the manufacture and use of industrial explosives in a safe and responsible manner.

Requirements

Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, manufacturing, capital projects, or related industrial operations.
Minimum 7 years of leadership experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Demonstrated success managing capital programs and projects ranging from $500,000 to $50 million or greater.
Experience within explosives, chemical manufacturing, mining, industrial manufacturing, energy, or other high-hazard operating environments.
Strong understanding of project management principles, engineering design practices, construction management, and commissioning activities.
Working knowledge of Process Safety Management and Management of Change processes.
Demonstrated ability to develop engineering organizations and build high-performing teams.
Excellent business, financial, analytical, and strategic planning skills.
Effective communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management software.
Ability to travel extensively throughout the United States and Canada.
Ability to maintain productive professional relationships with employees, customers, contractors, suppliers, and regulatory agencies.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited college or university required.
Commitment to “safety first” always and in all situations; accepting that safety is not something else to do, it is an element of everything we do for our employees and our customers. If it is not safe, we stop and do not go forward until it is.
Able to take responsibility for actions and outcomes and persist despite obstacles; give dedication to the position; demonstrate dependability in difficult circumstances and show a sense of urgency about getting results.
Able to clearly present information through spoken or written word; read and interpret complex information; talk with internal / external customers; listen well.
Able to act in solving problems while exhibiting judgment and a realistic understanding of issues; able to use reason, even while dealing with emotional topics; review facts and weigh options with a strong attention to detail.
Able to act in accordance with established guidelines; follow standard regulatory procedures; communicate and enforce organizational policies and procedures
Deal with others in a straightforward and honest manner, accountable for actions, maintaining confidentiality and supporting company values.
Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands priorities in a changing environment.
Anticipates and meets the needs of customers and responds to them in an appropriate manner. Provides the highest quality service and product to all customers.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in engineering, Business Administration, or related discipline preferred.
Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate and promote Austin Powder's mission, vision, values, and commitment to safety.
Lead, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing team of project engineers, engineering managers, project managers, and technical specialists.
Establish engineering standards, project execution methodologies, and best practices across all company facilities.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, technical excellence, and safety leadership.
Manage a portfolio of capital projects ranging from site improvements and equipment upgrades to major manufacturing facility expansions.
Oversee all phases of project execution, including concept development, feasibility studies, scope definition, budgeting, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, startup, and closeout.
Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering efforts involving mechanical, electrical, controls, instrumentation, civil, structural, and process engineering disciplines.
Ensure project deliverables meet stakeholder requirements and operational objectives.
Lead project reviews and provide regular updates to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
Provide engineering leadership supporting Process Safety Management (PSM), Management of Change (MOC), and Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP)
Ensure all projects comply with applicable OSHA, ATF, EPA, NFPA, NEC, environmental, transportation, and local regulatory requirements.
Promote continuous improvement in safety performance across all engineering and construction activities.
Lead project governance processes, including stage-gate reviews, capital authorization requests, and executive project reporting.
Ensure capital projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with approved scope.
Monitor and report portfolio performance, schedule adherence, budget status, capital forecasts, and project risks.
Partner with executive leadership to develop long-term engineering, infrastructure, and manufacturing strategies.
Evaluate existing and future manufacturing and distribution facility needs and recommend expansion, consolidation, or modernization initiatives.
Support site selection activities for new manufacturing, distribution, and operational facilities.
Identify opportunities for operational efficiency, automation, energy reduction, and manufacturing optimization.
Develop and manage annual engineering and capital budgets.
Prepare capital expenditure requests, business cases, financial justifications, and project approval packages.
Manage project forecasts, committed costs, change orders, and contractor expenditures.
Ensure effective utilization of engineering resources and external consulting services.
Establish and maintain relationships with engineering firms, equipment manufacturers, contractors, consultants, and other service providers.
Lead technical evaluations, contractor selection, bid reviews, and contract negotiations.
Ensure contractor safety, quality, schedule, and performance expectations are consistently achieved.
Present engineering strategies, project updates, and capital plans to executive leadership and other stakeholders.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.