Director of Product Engineering

Metal Technologies • Auburn, IN

18h

About The Position

The Director of Product Engineering oversees and participates in product engineering activities throughout the corporation. The role develops policies, procedures, and relationships to guide product engineering through the full product lifecycle. It works with functional areas to improve safety, reduce scrap and cost, increase productivity, improve processes, meet organizational objectives, and continually satisfy customer requirements. The Director leads the product engineering function, ensures design specifications are met and user experiences are consistent, leads a team of engineers and developers, and promotes the MTI Operating System throughout the company.

The position supports sales teams, customers, and manufacturing facilities by developing business-winning product solutions and providing engineering leadership throughout product development, launch, plant integration, and ongoing product support. It oversees engineering operations, product strategies, development projects, budgets, staffing decisions, and plant-level improvement initiatives. The Director works both in an office and on production floors and frequently travels between plants.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, analytical, and leadership skills.
• Ability to effectively organize multiple tasks.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma concepts.
• Understanding of business and management principles, including strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership techniques, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Understanding of design techniques, tools, and principles used to produce precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Familiarity with project management tools and/or software.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Project Management Certification or equivalent.
• Five or more years of experience as an engineer or project manager in a manufacturing setting.
• Two or more years of foundry experience.
• Two or more years of supervisory or managerial experience.
• Experience with CAD and/or 3-D modeling, such as AutoCAD and/or Pro/E.

Responsibilities

• Lead the product engineering team and develop strong relationships and trust with assigned manufacturing facilities.
• Support sales teams and customers in developing solutions involving engineering, cost, productivity, and quality to grow the business and meet production facility KPIs.
• Develop an organization that provides leadership and engineering assistance throughout the product lifecycle.
• Lead concept engineering and product development with customers, product cost estimating, pattern layout and engineering (including Magmas), plant integration and APQP, tooling requirements, and product launch processing requirements.
• Identify and manage necessary capital improvements and evaluate their impact on plant operations and financial performance.
• Manage product changes and revisions throughout the product lifespan and continually refine existing products to improve performance.
• Resolve problems with customers and support plants in identifying and prioritizing improvement opportunities.
• Provide direction and guidance for plant-level initiatives and use benchmarking to resolve plant issues and identify plant and industry best practices.
• Investigate operational issues by gathering and evaluating data and developing recommended solutions.
• Manage projects and other assigned duties, and train project champions as needed.
• Recommend technological developments and efficiency improvements.
• Direct engineering operations, including product development, existing product support, and technical support.
• Define product strategies and vision aligned with long-term business goals, and oversee product technical and functional aspects in coordination with engineers and developers.
• Oversee new development projects and improvements to existing products, supervising the team to support timely delivery.
• Manage development budgets to support timely and cost-effective delivery of new products.
• Oversee staffing decisions, including hiring, firing, promotions, and performance reviews.
• Maintain and promote the MTI Operating System throughout the company.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director