Lead Debug Engineer (Not for Everyone!)

Steven Douglas Corp•Concord Township, PA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

At Steven Douglas Corp (SDC), we specialize in designing and building custom automated machines that serve a wide variety of applications and industries. Every project is unique, and every machine brings new technical challenges. This role is for individuals who thrive on ownership under pressure, possess a high-leverage, high-reward mindset, and are driven by success. The Lead Debug Engineer is responsible for getting a custom automated machine from power-up to customer acceptance, thriving in the unpredictable environment of machine testing and debugging. This involves building a plan and executing it, quickly determining how to solve issues correctly without excuses. The role requires decision-making, leadership, and collaboration with the managerial team, directing engineers, and working alongside Project Managers. SDC offers an innovative machine design focus, a collaborative environment with sales, project management, and engineering teams, and a supportive, agile, family-owned culture that values technical excellence and personal growth.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
Strong ownership mindset and accountability for machine outcomes.
Ultra-competitive mindset.
Sound technical judgment, with the ability to make decisions quickly using incomplete information.
Composure under pressure; sets a steady tone for the team.
Root-cause problem-solving across mechanical, electrical, and controls systems.
Clear communication across engineers, technicians, project managers, and customers.
Ability to modify mechanical designs and influence PLC logic to resolve issues found on the floor.
Ability and willingness to travel to support projects, up to 10%.

Responsibilities

Own the machine from power-up through customer sign-off, including planning, technical execution, and final quality validation.
Build and maintain the debug plan — scope, sequence, daily priorities, and open-items log updated in real time.
Manage multiple different project teams at one time, keeping multiple projects on schedule.
Lead daily team coordination on the floor, providing clear directions to engineers and technicians.
Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, and controls issues.
Validate machine quality before Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) — every function, every safety parameter, every spec.
Lead customer FAT, manage the agenda, run the process, and close acceptance.
Escalate blockers early to pull resources from project managers and department leads as needed.
Communicate schedule status and risks proactively to the Project Manager — no surprises.