Director of Engineering

Director of Engineering
(Direct Placement for Client)
Sigma Design has collaborated with a growing manufacturing company seeking an experienced Machine Design Engineer to join their team in the Tri Cities, WA area. This company specializes in the design and manufacture of custom food processing equipment used in industrial food production, supporting projects for well-known food manufacturers.

What Is Offered:

• Medical Benefits + PTO
• Bonus program
• Salary: $140K-$175K DOE
• Flexible hybrid work environment with up to two days per week in the office.

Primary Function:
The Director of Engineering provides technical and organizational leadership for the engineering function, overseeing the design and development of custom packaging and processing equipment from concept through commissioning. This role sets engineering priorities, provides technical direction, supports project execution, and partners with leadership, sales, manufacturing, vendors, and customers to deliver practical, manufacturable solutions that meet project requirements.

Essential Job Functions - Responsibilities:

• Lead and provide technical direction for engineering activities related to the design and development of custom packaging and processing equipment.
• Establish engineering priorities and coordinate resources to support project requirements, schedules, and business objectives.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and technical guidance to engineering team members, fostering strong design practices, accountability, and collaboration.
• Oversee mechanical design and engineering projects from initial concept through detailed design, fabrication, assembly, installation, commissioning, and startup.
• Review and provide technical oversight of engineering designs, drawings, assemblies, models, bills of materials, and other project documentation.
• Ensure equipment designs are practical, manufacturable, reliable, and aligned with customer requirements and project specifications.
• Partner closely with manufacturing and fabrication teams to address design challenges, improve manufacturability, and resolve issues throughout the build process.
• Support engineering project planning, resource allocation, schedules, and priorities across multiple concurrent projects.
• Provide technical support and decision-making for design changes, troubleshooting, testing, field issues, and equipment modifications.
• Collaborate with sales, manufacturing, vendors, customers, and company leadership to define requirements and develop effective engineering solutions.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering processes, design standards, documentation, tools, and overall project execution.
• Support the development and implementation of engineering standards and best practices as the company and engineering function grow.
• Lead the resolution of complex technical, manufacturing, and customer issues and make sound engineering decisions when challenges arise.
• Communicate engineering priorities, project status, technical risks, resource needs, and recommendations to company leadership.
• Participate in customer meetings, site visits, equipment commissioning, startup activities, and industry events as needed.
• Maintain a hands-on understanding of the company's equipment, engineering processes, and manufacturing capabilities while providing strategic and technical leadership.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Experience: (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities)

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related engineering field preferred; equivalent combination of education and significant hands-on engineering experience may be considered.
• 10+ years of progressive mechanical engineering, machine design, or custom equipment engineering experience, including demonstrated leadership of engineering teams, projects, or technical functions.
• Previous engineering leadership, management, or supervisory experience with increasing responsibility.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred.
• Proven experience leading engineering projects and/or engineering teams in a custom machinery, equipment, manufacturing, or industrial environment.
• Strong proficiency with SolidWorks; experience with AutoCAD and Navis preferred.
• Experience designing machinery, custom equipment, packaging equipment, food processing equipment, agricultural equipment, or other complex mechanical systems.
• Strong understanding of practical machine design, manufacturability, fabrication, assembly, and equipment integration.
• Demonstrated ability to review and provide technical direction on mechanical designs, drawings, 3D models, bills of materials, and engineering documentation.
• Experience working directly with manufacturing, fabrication, or machine shop environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple engineering projects, priorities, schedules, and resources.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills with the ability to address complex technical and project challenges.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively lead and collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, sales, vendors, customers, and company leadership.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to establish priorities and drive projects toward successful completion.
• Experience with ERP systems; familiarity with Total ETO is a plus.
• Food processing or packaging equipment experience is preferred but not required. Candidates with strong custom machinery or equipment design experience from other industries will be considered.
• Must be comfortable occasionally traveling throughout the United States for equipment commissioning, startup, customer projects, or trade shows. Travel is expected to be occasional and generally limited to no man than approximately two weeks at a time.
• Must successfully complete a post offer background verification.

Work Environment
Standard office environment with normal office related conditions. Occasionally may be required to travel as required to other facilities, clients, or suppliers.

Sigma Design is an Equal Opportunity Employer