Director of Engineering

Job Description: Director of Engineering

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Engineering provides hands-on leadership for the Company's Engineering function and is responsible for the technical integrity of its products, the quality and accuracy of its engineering data and documentation, and the disciplined execution of engineering-led projects that cut across functions. This role leads the mechanical and electrical engineering staff and project designers day to day, while partnering with the President, COO, and functional leaders in Operations, Supply Chain, and Sales to align product engineering with the Company's commercial and manufacturing priorities. The Director of Engineering owns the product roadmap and technical strategy, drives the continued migration of engineering data into a controlled CAD environment, leads major cross-functional engineering projects from scope through completion, and develops the engineering team so that functional knowledge and leadership capability extend beyond any single individual. This position reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer and supervises the engineering staff. This position is on-site only. No relocation assistance offered.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Product Roadmap & Technical Strategy Own the engineering integrity of the Company's product lines, applying sound technical judgment to design, cost, quality, and manufacturability decisions. Lead product engineering initiatives that reduce cost and improve quality across existing product lines. Lead new product introduction and verification, from scoping and design through testing, documentation, and production readiness. Support sales initiatives by providing technical guidance on quotes, application questions, and new opportunities, and by serving as the engineering point of contact for commercial teams and key customers. Develop an understanding of the markets and verticals the Company serves and translate it into a product roadmap and technical strategy aligned with the Company's growth plans. Review and approve engineering changes and job-specific engineering decisions within delegated authority. Engineering Systems & Continuous Improvement Lead the migration of all engineering data into a controlled CAD environment and establish CAD as the system of record for product definition. Redefine the pre-production bill of material process so that BOMs are generated through CAD controls, driving sustained improvement in BOM accuracy and quality. Develop the electrical CAD data and environment to mirror the structure and controls of the mechanical CAD environment. Continue to improve the process from purchase order to manufacturing BOM and drawings for efficiency, automation, and accuracy. Establish and maintain engineering change management, product documentation standards, and revision control practices. Build management systems, documentation, and training that allow engineering knowledge to transfer beyond a single person. Identify process gaps and inefficiencies within Engineering and its interfaces with other functions, and build practical, lasting improvements. Cross-Functional Project Leadership Lead critical engineering-driven projects that require coordinated execution across Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Sales. Own project scope, cadence, milestones, and issue escalation for assigned initiatives, ensuring clear accountability from kickoff through completion. Coordinate with engineering, operations, supply chain, and commercial stakeholders to align resources, timelines, and deliverables. Identify and resolve execution gaps, bottlenecks, and misalignments between functions before they impact project timelines or product delivery. Convert one-time project execution into repeatable processes, KPIs, and management routines. Deliver clear, consistent project status updates to executive leadership, translating technical and operational detail into decision-ready information. Leadership & Department Management Provide overall leadership for the Engineering department by establishing departmental goals, priorities, performance expectations, and technical direction. Supervise, coach, develop, and evaluate engineering personnel while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Identify, develop, and mentor future engineering leaders capable of assuming day-to-day functional leadership, in direct support of the Company's succession planning. Coach direct reports and cross-functional partners on cadence, accountability, and issue escalation practices. Lead recruiting, onboarding, training, cross-training, and succession planning activities within the Engineering department. Allocate departmental workload and resources to balance project commitments, sales support, and sustaining engineering demands. Partner with the President and COO to align priorities, pace the transfer of responsibility, and maintain business continuity. Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental and organizational objectives.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, engineering technology, or a related field required; advanced degree or professional engineering credentials preferred. Eight to twelve years of progressive engineering experience in a manufacturing or engineered-product environment, including responsibility for product design, engineering documentation, and engineering change management. Previous experience leading and developing engineering personnel. Experience leading cross-functional projects that span engineering, operations, and supply chain, ideally including product launch or new product scoping. Experience with pumps, fluid handling, or comparable rotating or mechanical equipment strongly preferred. Experience with SolidWorks or a comparable CAD/PDM environment, and with ERP-integrated bill of material structures, strongly preferred. Background Knowledge and Technical Skills Thorough knowledge of manufacturing engineering practices, including BOM structure and accuracy, product documentation, and engineering change management. Understanding of how engineering decisions connect to production readiness, supplier readiness, and supply chain execution in a manufacturing environment. Working knowledge of ERP and MRP systems and the flow of engineering data into purchasing, production, and inventory processes. Ability to read, apply, and produce technical specifications, drawings, and engineering documentation for pumps or comparable mechanical equipment. Ability to establish and interpret engineering and project KPIs and use them to manage performance. Familiarity with project management and reporting tools used to track project scope, milestones, and status. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical detail into clear updates for executive leadership, sales teams, and customers. Abilities Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, sound technical judgment, and accountability in all interactions. Understands how engineering, production readiness, and supply chain execution connect, and leads across functions without needing to be the deepest technical expert in any single one. Builds process and structure, turning ad hoc project wins into repeatable operating discipline. Creates clarity, cadence, and accountability in a growth-oriented, still-evolving environment. Builds trust quickly with executive leadership, engineering staff, operations personnel, supply chain partners, and customers. Effective at both tactical execution and higher-level planning conversations. Coachable, patient, and long-term minded; proactive in seeking out ownership and disciplined in tracking commitments and KPIs. Develops the people around them so that the organization does not remain dependent on any single leader, including themselves. Maintains a continuous improvement mindset and proactively identifies opportunities to strengthen engineering performance and organizational effectiveness. #J-18808-Ljbffr Skidmore Pump