Mechanical Engineering Leader - Sustaining Engineering

Barry-Wehmiller•Sheboygan, WI

About The Position

The Mechanical Engineering Leader – Sustaining Engineering leads the mechanical engineering team responsible for supporting released and legacy folding carton product lines. The Sustaining Engineering team provides post-release product support, including issue resolution, product improvements, cost reduction, obsolescence management, and technical support for Operations, Supply Chain, Technical Service, and customers. The team partners with New Product Design Engineering to ensure a clear and timely handoff of new products into production and ongoing lifecycle support. The leader establishes priorities, manages team capacity, and coordinates schedules so sustaining work is completed in line with business needs and agreed-upon deadlines. Reporting to the Sheboygan Engineering Leader, this role directs approximately 5–7 mechanical engineering professionals focused on lifecycle support and continuous improvement of released folding carton machinery. The role leads responses to field and production issues after product release, including structured root-cause analysis, containment, corrective-action design, validation, and implementation. New Product Design Engineering retains ownership of products in active development until an agreed-upon release and handoff are complete. The leader translates business priorities into disciplined execution, coordinates cross-functional support, develops engineering capability, and represents the company in customer-facing technical matters. The role is also responsible for the team’s professional development and for implementing standards, processes, change controls, and governance to support released products and approved customer-specific modifications.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, such as mechanical, manufacturing, electrical, systems, or industrial engineering.
At least 5 years of capital equipment experience, including significant leadership experience.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to apply structured problem-solving to complex process, equipment, and manufacturing issues.
Ability to initiate and drive systemic improvements, including standardization of documents, processes, materials, and change control.
Ability to champion Lean tools and culture in engineering.
Strong project management skills.
Strong technical and analytical skills, with experience in design for manufacturability.
Proven ability to lead technical professionals and strengthen team cohesiveness through team building.
Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office, MRP, and CAD systems.
Strong understanding of operational requirements from third-party industry standards, such as OSHA, UL, and CE.
Ability to communicate professionally with all levels of the organization.
Willingness to travel as necessary.
Ability to work extended days and hours as needed to meet business needs.
Highly self-motivated, persuasive, intelligent, and well educated, with a personal style suited to a team-based, entrepreneurial, fast-paced, value-driven culture with high corporate standards.
Comfort working in a lean, matrixed, highly customer-focused organization with strong ethical standards.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and manage daily sustaining engineering activities supporting Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Technical Service, and customers.
Serve as the primary engineering owner for production and field issues after formal product release and handoff from New Product Design Engineering.
Lead and develop the Sustaining Mechanical Engineering team, coordinating with electrical, controls, manufacturing, and product engineering resources as needed.
Develop and maintain engineering standards, sustaining workflows, prioritization practices, and change-control processes.
Act as the principal engineering point of contact for technical inquiries involving released products, approved modifications, and recurring product issues.
Support operations and engineering requirements in safety, quality, service, performance, and productivity improvement opportunities.
Engage engineering teams and customers to eliminate trending issues and concerns affecting customers.
Analyze internal and external customer-support processes and develop plans to address areas of need.
Lead sustaining projects addressing safety, quality, reliability, cost, obsolescence, manufacturability, and customer requirements.
Support continuous improvement through the Lean journey by helping develop and coach associates and team leaders on Lean principles.
Manage priorities, team capacity, and schedules to complete sustaining work in line with business needs and deadlines.
Lead structured root-cause analysis, containment, corrective-action design, validation, and implementation for post-release field and production issues.
Develop the Sustaining Engineering team’s professional capabilities and implement standards, processes, change controls, and governance for released products and approved customer-specific modifications.
Provide global technical support.
Initiate and drive cost-reduction and systemic improvement activities.
Develop detailed goals and project plans aligned with the company vision.
Travel as necessary and work extended days and hours as needed to meet business needs.