Engineering Manager

Position Title:  Engineering Manager

Reports To:  Vice President of Business Transformation 

Position Summary:

The Engineering Manager is responsible for driving engineering excellence across the organization. Through a team of manufacturing & controls engineers, this role establishes engineering standards, oversees capital project execution, improves manufacturing processes, and builds the engineering capabilities needed to support future growth.

The Engineering Manager serves as the technical leader for manufacturing engineering and automation, partnering closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing systems.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Provide leadership, coaching, and technical direction to the engineering team while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Establish engineering priorities that align with company objectives and operational needs.
• Develop the technical capabilities of the engineering team through mentoring, training, and performance development.
• Promote collaboration between Sales, Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain.
• Develop, implement, and maintain engineering standards for mechanical design, electrical systems, controls architecture, automation, documentation, and project execution.
• Standardize equipment specifications, preferred vendors, control philosophies, and engineering documentation across manufacturing operations.
• Ensure engineering drawings, equipment documentation, controls backups, and technical records are accurate and maintained.
• Drive consistency in engineering practices to improve equipment reliability, maintainability, and long-term asset performance.
• Manage contractors, engineering consultants, equipment suppliers, and installation teams.
• Ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and achieve expected operational results.
• Provide regular communication on project status, risks, and financial performance to leadership.
• Lead equipment and process improvement projects focused on reducing downtime, improving throughput, and minimizing waste.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles to eliminate process variation and improve operational performance.
• Provide technical oversight for plant automation systems including PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, drives, and process control systems.
• Identify automation opportunities that improve productivity, operator effectiveness, safety, and product quality.
• Ensure manufacturing control systems remain reliable, scalable, and aligned with future business needs.
• Partner with Operations and Maintenance to improve equipment reliability and maximize production uptime.
• Provide engineering support during equipment failures, major repairs, and production challenges.
• Support new product introductions by evaluating manufacturing capabilities and identifying equipment or process modifications.
• Participate in strategic capacity planning and facility expansion initiatives.
• Ensure engineering activities comply with food safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and manage engineering and capital budgets.
• Support long-range manufacturing strategies by developing engineering roadmaps aligned with business growth.

Disclaimer: 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline required.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably within food, dairy, beverage, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or other high-speed manufacturing industries.
• Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience managing engineering teams, technical professionals, or major capital projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading capital projects from concept through startup and commissioning.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations through equipment design, process improvement, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings, P&IDs, electrical schematics, and technical documentation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and project management software; experience with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar engineering software preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE), Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, or similar professional certification.
• Experience in food manufacturing or other FDA/USDA regulated industries.
• Experience implementing engineering standards and leading manufacturing standardization initiatives.
• Experience with ERP, CMMS, or Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
• Knowledge of food safety principles, GMPs, and sanitary equipment design.

Physical Requirements: 

• Stand or sit at a desk during standard working hours
• Occasional travel to suppliers, contract manufacturing locations, and company facilities.
• Full-time, on-site location

Benefits 

• 401K with a generous match
• Vacation
• Insurance (Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life)
• Bonus Plan
• Unique Wellness Incentives

Why Hudsonville Ice Cream 

At Hudsonville Ice Cream, we offer a first-class work environment with a real family feel. We appreciate and recognize the hard work and dedication of our team members. We firmly believe that our team members’ fiscal, physical, and mental health are essential elements to our organization’s overall success. It is with this philosophy in mind that we offer a competitive wage and benefits package that starts day one. Moreover, Hudsonville Ice Cream is committed to its team members' continual growth and development.