Director of Engineering

Job Description

About AZO, Inc.

AZO is a global leader in automated bulk material handling and process automation solutions, serving manufacturers across industries including food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics, and specialty materials. For decades, AZO has earned its reputation by designing highly customized systems that improve manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and operational performance.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking an accomplished engineering leader who combines deep technical expertise with exceptional leadership and business acumen. This individual understands that building a great engineering organization is about more than delivering projects. It requires developing people, creating accountability, fostering collaboration, and continuously improving the way teams work together.

The ideal candidate is a trusted leader who earns credibility through technical knowledge, sound judgment, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed. They are equally comfortable partnering with customers, collaborating with executive leadership, and mentoring engineers while creating an environment where ownership, innovation, and continuous learning become part of the team's everyday culture.

About the Position

The Director of Engineering provides strategic leadership for AZO's engineering organization, ensuring technical excellence while aligning engineering operations with the company's long-term business objectives. As a member of the leadership team, this individual works closely with Sales, Operations, Manufacturing, and executive leadership to support customer success, operational performance, and sustainable growth.

Success in this position extends beyond delivering technically successful projects. The Director of Engineering develops future leaders, strengthens organizational capability, and builds scalable processes that preserve the quality, innovation, and customer experience upon which AZO has built its reputation.

Roles & Responsibilities

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• Lead and develop AZO's engineering organization, including Project Engineering, Project Management, Application Engineering, CAD, and the Engineering Development Program.
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• Provide strategic direction for the successful execution of engineering projects from design through completion.
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• Ensure engineering solutions meet technical, quality, schedule, and budget objectives.
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• Partner with Sales, Operations, Manufacturing, and executive leadership to support complex customer opportunities and business initiatives.
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• Establish engineering priorities, allocate resources, and balance departmental workload.
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• Provide technical leadership for complex system designs, project challenges, and engineering decisions.
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• Drive continuous improvement through standardized processes, innovation, and operational excellence.
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• Develop future engineering leaders through coaching, mentoring, performance management, and succession planning.
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• Identify and mitigate technical, operational, and commercial risks across the project portfolio.
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• Foster collaboration with global AZO engineering teams to support knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
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Qualifications

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• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required; Master's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred.
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• 10+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience within industrial equipment, process systems, automation, or a related manufacturing environment.
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• Proven success leading and developing multidisciplinary engineering teams.
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• Strong mechanical aptitude with experience designing and delivering complex engineered-to-order systems.
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• Demonstrated business acumen with the ability to balance technical, operational, and financial priorities.
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• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with customers, suppliers, and executive leadership.
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• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Navisworks, or comparable engineering software.
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• Experience working within a global organization or collaborating across international teams preferred.
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