Director of Software Engineering, Manufacturing Operations

Protolabs • Maple Plain, MN

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Manufacturing Operations Technology leads the strategy, architecture, and execution of technology that powers manufacturing across all Protolabs factories. This includes Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), enterprise systems (ES) integration, manufacturing capabilities, machine operations, and logistics. The role owns the factories’ technology strategy and partners with Operations to assess current technology, identify gaps and opportunities, and develop plans for future business needs.

The Director oversees multiple software development teams, each led by an engineering manager, and is accountable for the people, platforms, and roadmap that support factory operations and growth. The role also works with factory, supply chain, and logistics stakeholders and represents manufacturing operations technology in cross-functional and executive discussions.

This is a hybrid role with onsite work Tuesday through Thursday in Maple Plain, Minnesota. The position is open only to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or foreign nationals granted refugee or asylee status due to ITAR regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• 10 or more years of progressive software engineering leadership experience, including significant experience in manufacturing, industrial, or operations technology environments.
• Experience leading and developing engineering managers or other people leaders across multiple teams.
• Experience with MES and enterprise systems (ES/ERP) integration in a multi-site manufacturing environment.
• Experience partnering directly with Operations or factory leadership to define and execute technology strategy.
• Experience leading software organizations using agile development practices at scale.
• Experience working with and building global teams across the United States, Europe, and India.
• Track record delivering technology strategies and roadmaps spanning multiple factories or business units.
• Proficiency or strong understanding of CI/CD practices, including automated tests, builds, and deployments.
• Experience working at a high technical level across all phases of programming activities.
• Deep knowledge of MES and enterprise systems and how they integrate with machine operations and logistics.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing capabilities, machine operations, and shop-floor technology in factory environments.
• Understanding of logistics and supply chain systems as they relate to manufacturing operations.
• Strong strategic and analytical skills, with the ability to translate operational needs into a technology roadmap.
• Executive-level communication skills and the ability to influence and align Operations leadership and senior stakeholders.
• Strong people-leadership skills, including experience building, coaching, and scaling engineering management teams.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives across distributed teams and factory locations.
• Demonstrated history of staying current on best practices in manufacturing technology and software engineering.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or foreign national granted refugee or asylee status; individuals with temporary visas are not eligible.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced degree.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the multi-year technology strategy and roadmap for manufacturing operations across all factories, covering MES, ES, manufacturing capabilities, machine operations, and logistics.
• Serve as the primary contact for the Chief Operating Officer and the COO’s team.
• Partner with Operations to assess current-state technology, identify gaps and opportunities, and develop strategies for future manufacturing technology needs.
• Lead, hire, and develop a multi-team organization of engineering managers and their direct reports, including software engineers, quality engineers, and technical product managers.
• Set priorities and provide technical and organizational direction across teams.
• Direct the design, development, and support of software for manufacturing execution, machine operations, and logistics workflows across factory locations.
• Establish and govern standards, architecture, and integration patterns for MES and ES platforms to support consistency, scalability, and reliability across factories.
• Set project and portfolio priorities across manufacturing technology teams, balancing new capabilities, platform modernization, and operational support.
• Build and maintain working relationships with factory, supply chain, and logistics stakeholders to align technology investment with operational needs.
• Drive process improvement and quality initiatives, including software quality, release practices, and production support.
• Represent manufacturing operations technology in cross-functional and executive discussions and translate strategy into actionable plans for engineering managers and their teams.
• Mentor and develop engineering managers, building organizational capability and succession depth.
• Stay current on evolving manufacturing capabilities and technologies that could advance Protolabs’ manufacturing capabilities.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and total rewards package.
• Health insurance, including traditional and high-deductible plans.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Health Savings Account, including employer contributions.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Paid caregiver leave.
• At least three weeks of PTO, plus wellness and holiday pay and volunteer hours.
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate.
• Matching grants through the Protolabs Foundation.

What This Job Offers

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