Director of Engineering - PE

The Partner Companies•Milford, MA

17h•Onsite

About The Position

The Engineering Manager is responsible for providing disciplined technical leadership across the full engineering lifecycle within a high-precision photochemical etching manufacturing environment. This role holds functional authority over Design Engineering, Process Engineering, and Applications Engineering, directing the application of mechanical, chemical, and manufacturing engineering principles to advance process capability, product quality, and manufacturing readiness. The Engineering Manager serves as the site’s senior technical authority, responsible for translating engineering science into repeatable, controlled production outcomes while driving innovation through the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies. This position ensures that all engineering activities are conducted in alignment with ISO 9001, AS9100, and ITAR regulatory requirements, and that the engineering organization operates as a strategic enabler of business growth and operational excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline required.
8+ years of progressive engineering experience in a precision or specialty manufacturing environment, with demonstrated depth in process engineering, manufacturing engineering, or design engineering disciplines.
3+ years of direct engineering leadership or management experience, including responsibility for multi-disciplinary technical teams, engineering roadmaps, and functional performance metrics.
Demonstrated experience with complex wet chemistry or photolithographic manufacturing processes, precision subtractive manufacturing, or analogous high-tolerance process environments requiring tight process window management and chemical process control.
Direct experience operating within regulated quality management systems including ISO 9001:2015 and/or AS9100 Rev D, with hands-on involvement in internal audits, corrective action (CAPA) processes, document control, and management review activities.
Proven experience managing capital equipment projects through full lifecycle (concept, specification, procurement, installation, IQ/OQ/PQ), process improvement initiatives utilizing structured methodologies (DMAIC, Kaizen, 8D), and manufacturing automation projects involving PLC-controlled equipment, robotics, or vision systems.
Comprehensive knowledge of photochemical etching (PCE) process fundamentals including resist chemistry, UV exposure systems, developer and etchant bath management, spray dynamics, and metal-specific etching behavior; familiarity with analogous precision manufacturing technologies such as EDM, laser cutting, stamping, or photolithography is beneficial.
Proficiency in 2D/3D CAD platforms (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or equivalent) and command of engineering drawing standards including GD&T (ASME Y14.5); ability to interpret and author detailed technical design documentation, engineering specifications, and manufacturing process sheets.
Strong command of process engineering methodology including statistical process control (SPC), measurement system analysis (MSA/Gauge R&R), process capability studies (Cp/Cpk/Ppk), failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), control plans, and design of experiments (DOE); experience with Minitab or equivalent statistical analysis software preferred.
Working knowledge of quality management systems (ISO 9001:2015 / AS9100 Rev D), including CAPA methodology, 8D problem solving, root cause analysis tools (5-Why, Ishikawa/fishbone, fault tree analysis), and first article inspection (FAI) processes.
Strong quantitative and engineering analytical capabilities, including the ability to model process behavior, interpret measurement data, and apply engineering first principles to diagnose and resolve complex manufacturing problems.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts to cross-functional teams and customers.
Strong leadership and team development capabilities.
Strategic thinker with the ability to align engineering initiatives with business objectives.
Results-oriented with a strong focus on operational excellence and continuous improvement.
Highly collaborative and effective in cross-functional environments.
Organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple technical initiatives simultaneously.
Ability to walk and stand on the manufacturing floor for extended periods.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) when working in production areas.
Occasional lifting of materials or equipment up to 25 lbs.
May require occasional travel to suppliers, customers, or other company locations.
U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in an engineering discipline, MBA with engineering undergraduate background, or Professional Engineer (PE) licensure preferred
Six Sigma Black Belt or Lean certification is a plus.
Experience in applications engineering, technical sales support, or customer-facing engineering roles involving DFM consultation, design review, tolerance analysis, and material or process selection guidance is strongly preferred.
Experience with Minitab or equivalent statistical analysis software preferred.
Applied knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles (value stream mapping, 5S, kaizen, pull systems, OEE analysis) and Six Sigma methodologies (DMAIC, DMADV); experience with industrial automation platforms including PLC/HMI systems, vision inspection, robotic integration, or Industry 4.0 data collection architectures.
Demonstrated ability to develop capital investment proposals incorporating technical scope definition, process simulation, NPV/ROI modeling, total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, and capacity planning; experience managing projects using formal project management methodologies (PMI/PMBOK or equivalent).

Responsibilities

Perform assigned duties in accordance with documented procedures and work instructions.
Direct and manage the Design Engineering team in the creation and revision control of CAD geometry, drawing packages, and design documentation in accordance with GD&T standards (ASME Y14.5); enforce design rules governing feature resolution, minimum feature sizes, aspect ratios, and material-process compatibility for photochemical etching; oversee the engineering and fabrication of phototool artwork, including film and glass tooling, to ensure dimensional fidelity and process alignment.
Establish and scale an Applications Engineering discipline with deep domain expertise in photochemical etching (PCE) process chemistry, material science, and precision component manufacturability; support pre-sales technical engagement through Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews, application feasibility analysis, and tolerance stack-up evaluation; translate customer requirements into process-capable engineering specifications to drive new product introduction (NPI) and expand addressable markets.
Own the engineering governance of all manufacturing processes, including chemical etching bath parameters, resist lamination, exposure, development, and strip chemistries; establish and maintain process control plans, FMEAs, control charts (SPC/Cpk), and process validation documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ) to ensure process capability, repeatability, and traceability across production; lead process engineering reviews and drive structured process qualification for new materials, chemistries, and substrates.
Lead capital equipment and facility projects from concept through production release, including engineering feasibility studies, process gap analysis, equipment specification development, vendor qualification, installation qualification (IQ), operational qualification (OQ), performance qualification (PQ), and formal production release; develop capital appropriation requests with NPV/ROI analysis, lifecycle cost modeling, and capacity planning data to support business case approval.
Chair and facilitate technical governance forums including the Engineering Change Review Board (ECRB), Technical Review Board (TRB), and Material Review Board (MRB); ensure engineering changes undergo disciplined impact assessment for process, tooling, quality, and regulatory compliance prior to implementation; maintain configuration control and document revision integrity in accordance with quality system requirements.
Drive measurable improvements in process stability, throughput, and yield by applying advanced manufacturing engineering principles including design of experiments (DOE), statistical process control (SPC), process capability analysis, and automation integration; evaluate and implement emerging technologies in machine vision inspection, conveyorized processing, chemical dosing automation, and digital manufacturing to enhance precision, repeatability, and scalability.
Identify and execute cost reduction initiatives through structured engineering analysis, including value stream mapping, material yield optimization, chemical consumption modeling, cycle time reduction, and equipment utilization improvement; apply value engineering principles and process simulation tools to quantify and validate savings prior to implementation.
Lead engineering safety programs with direct accountability for process hazard analysis (PHA), chemical handling and storage compliance (SDS/OSHA), ventilation and exhaust system engineering, and integration of engineering controls into new equipment and process designs; ensure manufacturing processes meet or exceed applicable OSHA, EPA, and local environmental health and safety (EHS) standards.
Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Sales, Finance, and Human Resources to align engineering priorities with site-level production objectives and business strategy; represent engineering in S&OP planning, customer program reviews, supplier qualification activities, and continuous improvement steering committees.
Build and develop a high-performance engineering organization through structured technical career pathing, competency assessments, mentorship programs, and targeted training in engineering disciplines relevant to precision manufacturing; establish a culture of engineering rigor, disciplined problem-solving, and continuous technical development.