Engineering Manager – MEP

Burger Boat Company•Manitowoc, WI

3h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Engineering Leader for MEP Systems is first and foremost a leader of people, responsible for building, developing, and holding accountable the MEP Engineering Team, including Design and Process Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Drafters, and external engineering partners. This role integrates engineering with manufacturing, supply chain, program management, quality, and regulatory requirements to deliver build-ready designs, reliable work sequencing, and timely resolution of production issues. Serving as the business owner for MEP Engineering, this leader establishes standardized processes, strengthens team capability and accountability, advances Lean and continuous improvement, and drives safe, high-quality, on-time, and cost-effective project execution with minimal rework.

Requirements

Demonstrated success leading and developing people — hiring, coaching, performance management, and building team capability — with a track record of engineers who grew under their leadership
Minimum 8+ years of Engineering experience in a manufacturing, shipbuilding, or complex assembly environment, including a minimum of 3+ years directly leading engineering teams
Proven experience implementing Lean / Continuous Improvement systems in a production environment
Experience integrating engineering and manufacturing execution in a complex, cross-functional environment
Strong background in workforce development and capability building
Experience working closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Program Management functions
Strong hands-on and leadership experience in mechanical/MEP systems and metal fabrication, including welding, forming, machining, and assembly, with the ability to interpret engineering drawings and translate design intent into execution
Proven experience in tooling, fixturing, and manufacturing systems, including process design, integration of engineering and production, and optimization of fabrication processes to drive repeatability, quality, and throughput
Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills with the ability to influence across functions

Nice To Haves

Lean / Continuous Improvement certifications (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) strongly preferred
Additional certifications or training in manufacturing systems, tooling, fabrication, or project/program management (APICS, PMP, etc.) are advantageous
Specific marine MEP experience can be developed

Responsibilities

Maintain a strong, visible presence on the shop floor to drive engagement, accountability, and problem-solving
Reinforce company values of Trust, Belonging, Recognition, and Resilience through daily leadership behaviors
Foster an environment where teams proactively identify issues and take ownership of solutions
Recognize and reward behaviors that support operational excellence and continuous improvement
Recruit, develop, and retain engineering talent; build bench strength and succession depth
Set clear expectations, deliver direct and timely feedback, and manage performance — including addressing underperformance
Coach engineers in structured problem-solving rather than solving problems for them
Establish and enforce a consistent way of working across the Mechanical, Electrical, Piping Engineering Team
Define and sustain installation standards, sequencing, and quality checkpoints in partnership with Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Reduce variability, rework, and process inconsistency through disciplined execution anchored on the daily tiered system (SQDC).
Assist Lean/CI transformation within the value stream by demonstrating standard work, daily management, and structured problem-solving
Drive continuous improvement tied directly to SQDC performance gaps
Establish a culture of proactive, daily improvement vs. reactive firefighting
Hold teams accountable to daily, weekly, and program-level execution and results
Own the performance and execution of core engineering and manufacturing engineering within the value stream, ensuring engineering outputs are buildable, timely, and aligned with operational sequencing and installation standards
Ensure strong integration between engineering and manufacturing to eliminate rework, delays, and floor-driven interpretation
Drive build readiness, clear work sequencing, and rapid resolution of engineering issues impacting production
Act as the engineering gatekeeper for systems approval, ensuring all process loops, electrical loads, and marine piping systems pass strict regulatory audits (e.g., American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), DNV, or USCG rules) before drawings hit the production floor.
Evaluate needs and perform make vs. buy exercises to determine scope of work for vendors. Oversee outside engineering firms and specialized contract drafters to ensure schematics and production packages adhere strictly to shipyard construction standards and budget hours. Retains full accountability for the cost, schedule, quality, and buildability of outsourced engineering scope — partner performance is this role's performance.
Integrate planning, materials, and engineering into execution by partnering with Supply Chain, Planning, Production Supervision, Quality, and Program Management
Provide input into capacity planning, sequencing, and constraint management
Support predictable project execution aligned with program schedules and budget
Ensure seamless flow of material and information upstream and downstream
Operates as the business owner of MEP Engineering, driving accountability and collaboration between Engineers of various fields, both internal and external
Demonstrates the ability to lead cross-functional teams in a highly collaborative, matrixed environment
Drives alignment across functions and eliminates siloed behavior
Leads through process discipline, data, and standard work
Makes sound decisions and effectively solves problems within organizational policies and objectives