Director of Elastomeric Engineering

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Position Summary

The Director of Elastomeric Engineering is a senior technical leadership position responsible for establishing and leading the VMC group elastomeric engineering organization. This role serves as the company's subject matter expert in vibration isolation, elastomeric materials, and custom-engineered mounting solutions, while driving innovation, product development, laboratory testing, and customer-facing application engineering activities.

The Director will lead engineering and laboratory personnel, manage the company's testing and validation capabilities, and play a critical role in supporting business growth through direct engagement with customers and close collaboration with the sales team. The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise with leadership skills and a commercial mindset to develop innovative solutions, strengthen customer relationships, and build a world-class engineering capability.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and develop the Elastomeric Engineering organization, including engineers, laboratory personnel, and future technical resources.

• Establish engineering processes, standards, and best practices to support growth, innovation, and operational excellence.

• Define and execute the engineering technology roadmap for vibration isolation and elastomeric solutions.

• Provide technical leadership for strategic customer programs and key business development initiatives.

Research & Development

• Lead the development of new elastomeric products, custom mounts, and vibration isolation solutions.

• Direct material selection, elastomer formulation evaluation, and product optimization efforts.

• Oversee product design activities from concept through validation and commercialization.

• Conduct vibration analysis and engineering studies to solve complex customer application challenges.

• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and operations teams to improve product performance, manufacturability, and profitability

Laboratory & Testing Management

• Manage the company's vibration testing and product validation laboratory.

• Develop test methodologies, validation protocols, and performance standards.

• Oversee laboratory equipment selection, maintenance, calibration, and investment planning.

• Ensure accurate test execution, documentation, and reporting to support product development and customer requirements.

• Lead root cause investigations and performance verification activities related to customer applications.

Customer & Sales Support

• Serve as the primary technical expert for customers, distributors, sales personnel, and internal stakeholders.

• Partner with the sales team to identify, develop, and win new business opportunities.

• Travel with sales personnel to customer facilities to evaluate applications, troubleshoot issues, and present technical solutions.

• Lead technical discussions, design reviews, and engineering presentations with customers.

• Support proposal development, technical quotations, and product recommendations.

• Build strong customer relationships by providing application engineering expertise and responsive technical support.

  Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

• Able to sit at and work on a computer for extended periods 

• Able to walk through a typical office environment and through a manufacturing facility 

• Able to lift 20 pounds and reach/bend to retrieve documents in cabinets and on shelves

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline required; Master's degree preferred.

• Minimum of 10 years of engineering experience in vibration isolation, elastomerics, rubber-to-metal bonded products, NVH, industrial products, automotive systems, or related technologies.

• Minimum of 5 years of engineering leadership or management experience with responsibility for technical personnel and project execution.

• Demonstrated expertise in vibration analysis, elastomeric material behavior, and product development.

• Experience managing laboratory testing operations, validation programs, and technical equipment.

• Proven success supporting customers directly and providing technical sales and application engineering leadership.

• Strong understanding of engineering design processes, product validation, and problem-solving methodologies.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with customers, sales teams, and executive leadership.

• Ability to travel approximately 20-30% domestically and occasionally internationally.

• Proficiency with engineering analysis, testing, and data acquisition tools relevant to vibration isolation and elastomeric product development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in vibration isolation mounts, shock mounts, elastomeric engineered components, or related products.

• Experience building or expanding engineering teams and laboratory capabilities.

• Knowledge of military, Off-highway, industrial, or heavy equipment applications.

• Six Sigma, Design for Reliability (DfR), or related engineering certifications are a plus.