Director of Product Engineering

Metal Technologies • Auburn, IN

23h

About The Position

The Director of Product Engineering oversees and participates in product engineering activities throughout the corporation. This person develops the strategic process for product engineering by creating policies, procedures, and relationships that support a smooth transition from product engineering through the full product lifecycle. The role works across functional areas to improve safety, reduce scrap and costs, maximize productivity, improve processes, achieve organizational objectives, and continually meet customer requirements.

The role leads the product engineering function and a team of engineers and developers, ensures fulfillment of design specifications and consistency in user experiences, and promotes the MTI Operating System throughout the company. It works closely with customers, sales, and manufacturing facilities on product development, estimating, tooling, launch, production requirements, operational planning, and product changes throughout the product lifecycle. Engineering Plant Managers and Tooling report to this role on a dotted-line basis.

The Director resides in both the office and production-floor environments and frequently travels between plants. A bachelor’s degree in engineering, management, or a related field, or equivalent experience, is required. Project Management Certification or equivalent is desired. Preferred experience includes five or more years as an engineer or project manager in manufacturing, two or more years of foundry experience, and two or more years in a supervisory or managerial role.

Requirements

• 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.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 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 experience in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Experience with CAD and/or 3-D modeling, such as AutoCAD and/or Pro/E.

Responsibilities

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

Benefits

• A diverse and inclusive variety of benefits is offered, but specific benefits are not listed.

What This Job Offers

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