Director of Engineering

Director of Engineering

Location: Sheboygan, WI
Job Type: Full-time, On-site
Level: Senior level
Industry: Machinery Manufacturing

About the Company : trusted provider of automated packaging systems, offering full-line, turnkey solutions to enhance packaging efficiency. They specialize in user-friendly premade pouch packing machines, cost-effective VFFS baggers, high-speed vertical baggers, and multilane stick packaging machines, serving diverse industries such as food products and pharmaceuticals.

About the Role : We are seeking a Director of Engineering to lead a multi-disciplinary team and drive innovative, cost-effective packaging solutions from concept to completion. This role requires a strong technical background in engineering leadership, automation systems, and project management, as well as the ability to collaborate across departments. The Director of Engineering will align the engineering strategy with business goals, ensure quality standards, and manage project execution to meet customer needs. This is a critical role within the organization, and the ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, a problem-solving mindset, and the ability to implement engineering best practices. The Director will also lead capacity planning, establish KPIs, and ensure team alignment toward achieving business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute engineering strategy aligned with business goals and customer needs.
• Manage, mentor, and guide a multi-disciplinary team of engineers (applications, electrical, mechanical, R&D).
• Establish engineering standards, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with industry best practices.
• Coordinate projects from concept to completion, ensuring they meet budget, timeline, and quality requirements.
• Review and approve engineering designs, calculations, and documentation for accuracy and quality.
• Research and implement new technologies and methods into engineering processes.
• Collaborate across departments (sales, marketing, operations) to align engineering progress with business strategies.
• Represent the engineering department in external meetings, negotiations, and presentations with clients, suppliers, and partners.
• Develop and monitor departmental metrics and quarterly goals to drive performance.
• Implement capacity planning methods and proactively monitor engineering processes for efficiency.
• Oversee staffing strategies and manage departmental growth and sustainability.
• Collaborate with global vendor engineering teams to meet local business needs.
• Ensure ERP software projects align with engineering timelines and requirements.
• Identify weak spots in processes to improve efficiency and profitability.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of engineering experience, with 5 years in a leadership or management role.
• 3+ years of experience managing automation systems or robotics engineering teams.
• 3+ years of technical project management experience, leading complex engineering initiatives.
• Proven ability to deliver complex engineering projects on time and within budget.
• Strong knowledge of packaging equipment and systems and engineering principles and tools.
• Proficiency in CAD, CAM, PLC systems, and engineering software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, PDM).
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Teams, SharePoint).
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Analytical and creative mindset, with problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities.
• Willingness to travel up to 15% for business purposes.

General Skills & Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to identify and address process inefficiencies.
• Exceptional planning, project management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize critical tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• A collaborative team player with a disciplined work ethic.
• Passionate about contributing to the overall success of the organization.
• Strong relationship management with internal and external stakeholders.

Additional Information:

• Business Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST, with some flexibility.
• Travel: Up to 15% annually for business purposes.
• This is an equal opportunity employer.