Equipment Engineering Manager

Unusual Machines•Orlando, FL

About The Position

The Equipment Engineering Manager is responsible for the design, development, procurement, and delivery of custom-built manufacturing equipment and facility tools. This role owns all production equipment used in the facility, leading both in-house engineering efforts and external suppliers to deliver one-of-a-kind machines that meet aggressive production schedules and customer commitments. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader with deep experience building custom machinery from the ground up and managing multidisciplinary engineering teams in fast-paced manufacturing environments.

Requirements

Proven experience building at least five (5) custom machines from the ground up
Extensive experience with custom machinery design and fabrication in a manufacturing environment
Strong understanding of industrial automation systems, including: Industrial robots Conveyance systems Vision/camera inspection systems
Demonstrated experience owning facility equipment from design through procurement and operation
Prior experience leading and managing an engineering team responsible for building equipment
Deep understanding of machine design, sourcing, vendor management, and commissioning
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage tight schedules and multiple parallel projects

Responsibilities

Own all manufacturing equipment and facility tools, ensuring performance, reliability, and on-time delivery
Lead the design and build of custom machines and tooling, including industrial robotics, conveyors, and vision/camera inspection systems
Manage end-to-end equipment projects, from concept and specification development through design, build, installation, and commissioning
Write detailed equipment specifications and technical requirements for internally built and supplier-built machines
Lead and develop a team of engineers (mechanical, electrical/controls, software, and others), providing technical direction and project oversight
Manage external equipment suppliers and integrators, both domestic and international
Balance in-house development efforts with outsourced builds while maintaining schedule, cost, and quality expectations
Drive creative and innovative approaches to equipment design and problem-solving
Ensure project timelines are met, escalating risks early and knowing when to request additional support
Support customer-facing machine builds and ensure delivery commitments are met, including occasional weekend work when required
Maintain a strong project management discipline with “no stone unturned” execution