Vice President of Mechanical Engineering (Heavy Metals)

Acara•Lakewood, CA

50d•$275,000 - $290,000

About The Position

Acara Solutions has been providing aerospace and other advanced manufacturing firms with our staffing services since the 1950's. Our international aerospace client has an opening for a Vice President of Mechanical Engineering in their Long Beach, CA region plant. The salary target range is $275k - $290k plus bonus. This is a hands-on design engineering position requiring a metal (steel, aluminum) fabrication background along with a recent VP of Engineering title . Heavy weight bearing metal experience a plus (e.g., cranes, gantries, supports). They are not looking for an engineer that is deep into operations management. The position demands an energetic strong decisive leader with sound judgment who will be fully responsible for the Engineering Department. The VP of Mechanical Engineering is expected to provide a leadership example and support as needed to all other company departments, customers and vendors. This is a high-impact role, ideal for a decisive and technically skilled executive who combines strong leadership with a hands-on, collaborative mindset. The successful candidate will be responsible for shaping engineering strategy, building high-performing teams, enhancing innovation, and ensuring product integrity across safety, quality, and performance. This role involves cross-functional leadership, customer engagement, and ongoing process improvement-all within a nimble, results-driven environment. Provide oversight and management of the Engineering department including engineering, technical writing and document control with ultimate responsibility for the quality and timeliness of all engineering department output. Assign responsibilities clearly, motivate the team, and provide support and training as needed. Identify, recruit, and develop top engineering talent. Constant evaluation of methods, processes, skill level and software tools used while accomplishing goals for continual improvement. Establish staff performance expectations and provide regular feedback using both formal and informal reviews. Collaborate closely with internal departments-including manufacturing, quality, sales, and executive leadership-to ensure alignment on goals and priorities. Ultimate responsibility for evaluating market needs competitive products and the development of new state of the art products. Drive the development of innovative products that meet market needs while ensuring high standards of quality, safety, longevity, and ease of use. Ultimate responsibility for ensuring all products meet performance and strength requirements equal to or exceeding customer's expectations. Ultimate responsibility for the safe function of products and the protection of customer equipment and the safety of the end user. Communicate proactively and professionally with customers to provide technical support and maintain strong relationships. Ensure all products meet or exceed applicable regulatory, safety, and performance standards. Report to the President establishing the vision and progress toward goals for the Engineering department. Provide executive assistance and advice to company leadership of other departments while participating in meetings, negotiations and other high level decision making. Work closely with the President and senior management to set and execute the Engineering Department's vision, goals, and strategic initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor's in engineering a must (mechanical, aerospace/aeronautical, or civil highly preferred)
Min 10 years of engineering design experience, including experience in stress, analysis, and dynamics/kinematics.
Min 10 years of progressive leadership roles with a strong track record of building high performance teams and experience at the VP level .
Min 5 years of experience in metal fabrication (steel, aluminum) processes and material selections.

Nice To Haves

Aerospace experience
Heavy metal weight bearing product experience a plus (e.g., cranes, lifts, winches, and gantries)

Responsibilities

Provide oversight and management of the Engineering department including engineering, technical writing and document control with ultimate responsibility for the quality and timeliness of all engineering department output.
Assign responsibilities clearly, motivate the team, and provide support and training as needed.
Identify, recruit, and develop top engineering talent.
Constant evaluation of methods, processes, skill level and software tools used while accomplishing goals for continual improvement.
Establish staff performance expectations and provide regular feedback using both formal and informal reviews.
Collaborate closely with internal departments-including manufacturing, quality, sales, and executive leadership-to ensure alignment on goals and priorities.
Ultimate responsibility for evaluating market needs competitive products and the development of new state of the art products.
Drive the development of innovative products that meet market needs while ensuring high standards of quality, safety, longevity, and ease of use.
Ultimate responsibility for ensuring all products meet performance and strength requirements equal to or exceeding customer's expectations.
Ultimate responsibility for the safe function of products and the protection of customer equipment and the safety of the end user.
Communicate proactively and professionally with customers to provide technical support and maintain strong relationships.
Ensure all products meet or exceed applicable regulatory, safety, and performance standards.
Report to the President establishing the vision and progress toward goals for the Engineering department.
Provide executive assistance and advice to company leadership of other departments while participating in meetings, negotiations and other high level decision making.
Work closely with the President and senior management to set and execute the Engineering Department's vision, goals, and strategic initiatives.