Mechanical Project Engineering Manager

Hitachi•Holland, MI

9d•Onsite

About The Position

JR Automation, a Hitachi Group Company, is seeking a Mechanical Project Engineering Manager to lead its Mechanical Engineering department in Holland, Michigan. The position is onsite and focuses on leading people and technical work across custom automation projects, supporting customer success through quality engineering and project delivery. The manager leads, mentors, and develops mechanical engineers and support personnel; oversees staffing, workload allocation, and performance; and helps ensure assigned programs meet cost, quality, timing, and customer-satisfaction objectives. The role collaborates with Applications Engineering during project conception, proposals, and design, and provides technical guidance throughout design, development, manufacturing, and installation. It also leads cross-functional technical teams, supports employee career progression, and identifies significant design and workflow improvements. Travel of up to 25% may be required to customer and supplier sites, equipment installations, and other JR Automation locations, including overnight and international trips.

Requirements

At least 8 years of experience.
At least 2 years leading technical projects.
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
Experience leading technical projects.
Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, Creo, NX, or AutoCAD.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience presenting to colleagues and company management.
Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees.
Skills in persuasion and negotiation of critical issues.
Proficiency applying standard and advanced engineering principles, practices, and procedures.
People-centric interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to positively influence engineers' development and progression.
Ability to recognize and resolve common engineering problems based on experience, including reviewing and critiquing others' work.

Nice To Haves

Current or prior JR Automation experience, or experience in the automation industry, is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop the Mechanical Engineering department and its personnel.
Provide direct supervision and performance management for mechanical engineers and support personnel.
Manage project staffing and workload allocation, including direct, indirect, and overtime hours, to meet project demands, budgets, and delivery schedules.
Support successful program execution by helping achieve cost, quality, timing, and customer-satisfaction objectives.
Collaborate with Applications Engineering during project conception, proposal, and design phases to develop customer solutions.
Design and develop mechanical equipment and systems that meet customer requirements using sound engineering principles and industry best practices.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance team efficiency, quality, and technical capability.
Provide technical guidance throughout project design, development, manufacturing, and installation.
Lead cross-functional technical teams through project lifecycles and influence project direction and progress.
Support engineers' career development and advancement through coaching, training, and collaboration with department leadership.
Recognize and implement significant design and workflow improvements.
Review and critique engineering work and help resolve common engineering problems.
Manage staffing and workload issues to help projects meet timelines.
Exercise independent judgment, innovate, and work autonomously.
Travel up to 25% to customer and supplier sites, equipment installations, and other JR locations.