Sr. Director of Engineering - Northeast and Midwest

Sr. Director Of Engineering Northeast & Midwest

IPS is seeking a Sr. Director of Engineering Northeast & Midwest to lead the transformation of engineering into a key driver of growth, operational excellence, and technical differentiation across the organization. This strategic leader will build and scale a high-performing engineering team, establish engineering standards, develop technical talent, and drive innovation to support larger, more complex opportunities across the region. Partnering closely with operations, sales, and executive leadership, this role will strengthen IPS's technical capabilities, improve consistency across service centers, and help position the organization for sustainable long-term growth while embodying IPS's core values of safety, accountability, integrity, teamwork, entrepreneurial spirit, and customer focus.

Responsibilities & Expectations:

The Senior Director of Engineering Northeast and Midwest regions is a senior leadership role responsible for driving electrical and mechanical engineering excellence, technical capability, and business growth across the region. This leader oversees engineering support for motor and generator aftermarket services, including repair, rewind, upgrade, innovation, and field service applications.

The role operates within a matrixed organization, balancing regional operational support with enterprise engineering strategy, and is accountable for delivering technical solutions that improve reliability, reduce cost, enhance quality, and enable profitable growth.

This position partners closely with Regional General Managers (RGMs), Field Service leadership, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial/Sales teams to ensure engineering is a value driver and revenue generating function for the business, not just a support function.

Scope of Engineering Authority

AC/DC motors (LV/MV/HV)

Synchronous and induction machines

Pumps and electro-mechanical rotating systems

Reliability engineering and failure analysis

Insulation systems

Field technical support and advanced diagnostics

Digital and predictive technologies for rotating assets

Regional Engineering Leadership

Lead all electrical and mechanical engineering activities across the Northeast and Midwest region, supporting service centers and field operations.

Provide direct engineering support for:

Large motor and generator repairs

Root cause failure analysis (RCFA)

Re-rate, redesign, and upgrade solutions

Reverse engineering and obsolescence management

Ensure consistent engineering coverage across the region, including critical/complex jobs and high-risk projects.

Technical Excellence & Standardization

Drive adoption and compliance with enterprise engineering standards, procedures, and best practices.

Champion standardized repair methodologies aligned with programs such as:

Insulation systems (e.g., VPI, B-stage, coil systems)

Rotor/stator repair techniques

Electrical/Mechanical rebuild practices

Partner with Quality to ensure alignment with ISO 9001 requirements and continuous improvement initiatives.

Lead technical reviews for high-risk or high-value projects.

Drives improvements in:

Coil design and manufacturing standards

Insulation system upgrades (thermal class improvements, corona protection)

Testing protocols (IR, PI, surge, hipot, partial discharge)

Electrical safety and arc-flash compliance

Quality, Compliance & Standards

Ensure compliance with IEEE, ANSI, NEMA, UL, EASA, and ISO 9001 standards.

Lead technical portions of customer audits and regulatory inspections.

Drive corrective actions related to warranty and rework trends of HV machines.

Business Growth & Commercial Support

Act as a key technical partner in driving regional growth targets (710%+ annually).

Support sales and operations in developing engineered solutions for:

Complex repair scopes

System upgrades (e.g., DC to AC conversions, efficiency improvements)

Turnkey and engineered service opportunities

Identify and develop new market opportunities, including:

Industrial infrastructure upgrades

Power generation and critical systems

Northeast and Midwest market expansion

Engineering Service Offerings

Participate in customer-facing activities to build credibility and win strategic work.

Field Services & System Integration

Collaborate with Field Services teams to deliver integrated solutions across motors, generators, and supporting systems.

Provide engineering leadership for:

On-site troubleshooting and diagnostics

Commissioning and startup support

Cross-functional system solutions (mechanical + electrical interface)

Support the evolution toward a regionalized and enterprise-aligned Field Services model.

Talent Development & Organizational Leadership

Build, lead, and develop a high-performing regional engineering team, including:

Mechanical and Electrical Engineers (senior, mid, junior)

Application and project engineers

Facility Engineers

Establish clear expectations, career paths, and technical competency development plans.

Mentor engineering leaders and high-potential talent.

Support hiring decisions, workforce planning, and succession planning.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with:

Quality: warranty reduction, rework elimination, ISO compliance

Supply Chain: material selection, supplier qualification, cost optimization

Operations: execution efficiency and standard work

Finance: cost control, margin improvement, capital planning

Support enterprise initiatives such as:

Continuous Improvement Programs (CIPs)

Standardization and digital tools (e.g., work planning, analytics platforms)

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

Drive innovation in repair techniques, materials, and processes to improve:

Reliability

Turnaround time

Cost competitiveness

Support development and implementation of:

New insulation systems and materials

Advanced repair technologies (e.g., 3D modeling, simulation tools)

Knowledge capture and AI-driven troubleshooting tools

Lead or support innovation projects aligned with enterprise strategy.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

Ensure engineering practices comply with all safety, regulatory, and industry standards.

Participate in risk assessments for major projects and operational decisions.

Support nuclear, critical infrastructure, and high-compliance environments where applicable.

Key Performance Metrics

Regional revenue growth supported by engineering

Margin improvement on engineered jobs

Warranty and rework reduction

Engineering response time and project turnaround

Standardization and process adoption rates

Talent development and retention

Successful execution of strategic and innovation initiatives

Growth of Engineering Services

Qualifications and Competencies:

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical engineering (required)

Master's degree or MBA (preferred)

Experience

1015+ years of engineering experience in:

Motor and generator repair, rewind, or manufacturing

Rotating equipment or industrial services

5+ years in engineering leadership roles with multi-site responsibility

Experience in aftermarket/repair environments strongly preferred

Technical Expertise

Deep knowledge of:

Rotating equipment (motors, generators)

Mechanical systems, rotor dynamics, bearings, and alignment

Insulation systems and rewind processes

Experience with:

Failure analysis and root cause methodologies

Engineering design/modification of legacy equipment

Field service and on-site troubleshooting

Leadership Competencies

Servant leadership

Strong business acumen with ability to connect engineering to financial outcomes

Proven ability to lead in a matrixed organization

Strategic thinker with hands-on execution capability

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

Ability to drive change, standardization, and accountability across regions

Travel Requirements

~50% travel across Northeast and Midwest regions