Mechanical Engineering Manager

Title: Mechanical Engineering ManagerLocation: Wood Dale, ILHire Type: Direct HireSalary: $120,000 - $145,000/year + Bonus PotentialBenefits: 401(k) with 3% Match, Medical, HSA, AD&D Insurance, Disability Insurance, Parental Leave, Tuition Reimbursement, Referral Program, Relocation Assistance, PTOOur client is a growing manufacturer specializing in custom and standard fixture solutions for a variety of industries. They are seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead a cross-functional engineering team focused on product optimization, manufacturability, and delivering projects on time and within budget. This individual will play a key leadership role in driving collaboration between Engineering, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Sales while supporting continued innovation and company growth.Job Duties:• Lead and mentor a cross-functional engineering team including Design Engineers, Estimators, and Project Managers.• Drive optimization of custom and standard fixture designs to meet customer requirements, manufacturability goals, and cost targets.• Oversee product development and continuous improvement efforts for proprietary product lines.• Translate customer requirements and specifications into manufacturable, cost-effective engineering solutions.• Maintain BOM accuracy and ensure CAD and Vault data integrity throughout the product lifecycle.• Collaborate with Sales, Production, Quality, and Purchasing teams to ensure successful project execution from concept through production.• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) efforts and transition projects into manufacturing.• Conduct project reviews with leadership teams, providing updates on progress, risks, timelines, and resource requirements.• Ensure designs meet fit, form, and function requirements while considering tolerances, manufacturability, material selection, safety, and cost.• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on engineering processes, efficiency, and profitability.Qualifications:• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Design, or a related technical field required.• 8+ years of engineering experience within wood, metal, or mixed-material manufacturing environments.• Previous leadership experience managing engineers, estimators, project managers, or technical teams.• Advanced proficiency with 3D CAD software, preferably Autodesk Inventor and Vault.• Experience developing and maintaining Bills of Material (BOMs) and ERP/PDM systems.• Strong understanding of fabrication processes involving wood, metal, plastics, glass, and composite materials.• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.• Ability to travel up to 25% as needed.Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.