Manager, Gearbox Assembly

Manager, Gearbox Assembly

Horsburgh and Scott, a 140-year leader in gear manufacturing, gear drives, and repair services, is seeking an experienced and results-driven Manager, Gearbox Assembly, to lead our gearbox assembly operations. This role is responsible for overseeing the complete assembly process for industrial, custom-engineered, and precision gearboxes while ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical and technical expertise with proven leadership skills and a commitment to continuous improvement in a precision manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, and mentor gearbox assembly personnel, including assemblers and technicians.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Provide training, coaching, and performance development to enhance team capabilities and productivity.

• Oversee the complete gearbox assembly process, from disassembly through final assembly, testing, inspection, and shipment.
• Coordinate workflow, staffing, and production schedules to meet customer delivery requirements.
• Ensure assembly activities are performed in accordance with engineering specifications, quality standards, and manufacturing procedures.

• Ensure accurate installation and assembly of gears, shafts, bearings, seals, housings, and lubrication systems.
• Verify adherence to torque specifications, alignment procedures, bearing preload settings, backlash requirements, and gear mesh patterns.
• Utilize precision measurement equipment to validate assembly accuracy and product performance.

• Direct functional testing, run-off procedures, and final quality verification activities.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Quality teams on new product introductions, custom gearbox builds, and process improvements.
• Investigate and resolve assembly-related quality concerns, nonconformances, and field returns.

• Monitor key performance indicators including productivity, labor efficiency, throughput, and on-time delivery.
• Support root cause analysis and corrective action implementation to improve product quality and manufacturing effectiveness.

• Maintain compliance with ISO quality standards, company procedures, and safety regulations.
• Review and interpret mechanical drawings, assembly instructions, and Bills of Material (BOMs).
• Ensure accurate documentation of assembly, testing, and quality records.

Qualifications Required

• Proven experience leading assembly operations within a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, engineering specifications, and Bills of Material (BOMs).
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Technical degree, apprenticeship, or equivalent hands-on industry experience.

Preferred

• Strong knowledge of gearboxes, power transmission, or heavy mechanical equipment assembly.
• Thorough understanding of:
  • Bearing fits and preload settings
  • Shaft alignment techniques
  • Backlash adjustments
  • Gear mesh pattern evaluation
  • Precision measurement tools and inspection methods
• Experience in custom-engineered or high-mix, medium-volume manufacturing environments.
• Background in precision gear manufacturing or power transmission products.
• Experience with ISO-compliant manufacturing systems.

Join a company with over 140 years of engineering excellence and industry leadership. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact by leading a skilled team, driving operational excellence, and contributing to the production of high-performance, custom-engineered gearbox solutions for customers worldwide.