Senior Director of Engineering

Job Description

Senior Director of Engineering – Heavy Industrial & Capital Projects

Location: Denver, CO preferred | Open to candidates nationwide

Compensation: $148,000–$259,600 base + 35% target annual bonus

Travel: Approximately 50%

Employment Type: Full-Time

The Opportunity

We are partnering with a leading North American metals recycling organization seeking a Senior Director of Engineering to build and lead its engineering function across approximately 8–9 industrial facilities.

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for someone who enjoys building teams, solving complex operational challenges, and driving significant capital investments.

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in heavy industrial engineering, major capital project execution, and multi-site operations. While experience in metals recycling or steel manufacturing is valuable, we are equally interested in accomplished engineering leaders from mining, oil & gas, and other capital-intensive manufacturing environments.

This is an opportunity to build something, not simply maintain what already exists.

Key Responsibilities

• Build, develop, and lead the engineering function, including internal engineering personnel and external engineering partners.
• Develop and execute short- and long-term engineering and capital investment strategies across multiple facilities.
• Oversee major capital projects from initial concept and financial justification through installation, commissioning, and completion.
• Partner with executive leadership, operations, maintenance, and finance to identify and prioritize investments that improve productivity, reliability, capacity, and profitability.
• Evaluate capital expenditures using ROI, NPV, IRR, payback analysis, and lifecycle cost assessments.
• Establish engineering standards, project management processes, and best practices across operating locations.
• Identify opportunities for equipment modernization, automation, process improvement, and operational efficiency.
• Manage engineering consultants, equipment suppliers, contractors, and other external resources.
• Drive project accountability, ensuring investments are completed safely, on schedule, and within budget.

Ideal Background

• Significant engineering leadership experience within metals recycling, steel manufacturing, mining, oil & gas, or heavy industrial manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale capital projects and managing substantial capital investment portfolios.
• Experience supporting multiple manufacturing or industrial facilities.
• Proven ability to build and develop engineering teams and manage external technical resources.
• Strong understanding of industrial equipment, plant infrastructure, asset reliability, and manufacturing operations.
• Financial acumen, including experience developing business cases and evaluating capital investments.
• Ability to operate strategically with executive leadership while remaining engaged in technical and operational challenges.
• Engineering degree or related technical education preferred; advanced degrees and professional certifications are valued.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Build an Engineering Organization: Help establish the structure, processes, and team responsible for supporting long-term operational growth.
• Meaningful Capital Investment: Lead projects that directly influence production capacity, equipment performance, and business profitability.
• Executive Visibility: Work closely with senior leadership and play an important role in strategic investment decisions.
• Multi-Site Impact: Influence engineering and operational performance across approximately 8–9 facilities.
• Competitive Compensation: Base salary of $148,000–$259,600, plus a 35% target annual bonus.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, retirement programs, paid time off, and additional employee benefits.

Location & Travel

Denver, Colorado is the preferred location; however, qualified candidates based elsewhere in the United States will be considered. The position requires approximately 50% travel to operating facilities.

Interested?

If you're an engineering leader who enjoys tackling major industrial challenges, developing teams, and seeing the tangible results of your work, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.

Apply today to learn more about this opportunity.