Director of Engineering

Director of Engineering - SMTC CorporationAt SMTC Corporation, we are driven by a clear purpose: "We believe we enhance people's lives and our world every day." Our vision is to be an inspiring organization that earns the trust and admiration of our customers. As the best-in-class EMS provider, we strive to achieve the highest industry returns, driven by our passionate and dedicated employees.The Director, Engineering provides strategic, technical, and hands-on leadership for the site Engineering organization, with responsibility for engineering performance, technical capability, talent development, and manufacturing support. This role leads engineering activities supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), sustaining production, product and process engineering, manufacturing systems, and technical documentation.As a member of site leadership, the Director partners across the organization to ensure manufacturing readiness, resolve complex technical challenges, improve quality, cost, delivery, and productivity, and develop the engineering capabilities needed to support customer requirements and business growth.Essential Functions:Provide strategic, technical, and hands-on leadership for the site Engineering organization, establishing priorities, accountability, and direction in support of business and customer requirements.Lead engineering support across New Product Introduction (NPI), sustaining production, product and process engineering, manufacturing systems, and related technical functions.Ensure manufacturing and technical readiness for new products, product transfers, engineering changes, and production ramp activities while identifying and mitigating technical risks.Provide technical leadership and hands-on support for complex product, process, equipment, and manufacturing challenges that impact quality, delivery, cost, or production continuity.Drive improvements in manufacturing capability, process reliability, product quality, productivity, cycle time, cost, and equipment effectiveness through engineering and continuous improvement initiatives.Establish and maintain effective engineering standards, processes, systems, and controls that support consistent execution, configuration management, and manufacturing performance.Establish engineering priorities and align staffing, technical expertise, equipment, and resources with customer programs, production requirements, and business priorities.Evaluate and implement appropriate technologies, equipment, automation, and engineering solutions that strengthen manufacturing capability and support business growth.Establish and monitor engineering performance metrics, project execution, technical deliverables, and departmental objectives, addressing performance gaps and execution risks as needed.Provide technical leadership during customer engagements, business reviews, escalations, technical discussions, and product transitions while maintaining strong customer relationships.Develop and manage engineering budgets, capital requirements, workforce needs, and technical capability plans to support current operations and future growth.Ensure engineering activities comply with applicable customer requirements, industry standards, Quality Management System requirements, regulatory requirements, and company policies.Leadership Responsibilities:Lead by example through integrity, ethical decision-making, professionalism, and compliance with company policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.Communicate organizational priorities, departmental goals, and performance expectations while promoting employee engagement and collaboration.Foster a culture of safety, quality, accountability, respect, and continuous improvement consistent with SMTC values and business objectives.Support employee development through coaching, training, feedback, performance management, and recognition initiatives.Develop and execute functional strategies that support site, regional, and corporate business objectives.Lead organizational change initiatives and ensure alignment across multiple departments and stakeholder groups.Establish performance standards, governance practices, and operational frameworks that drive sustainable results.Influence business decisions through data-driven analysis, strategic planning, and risk assessment.Competencies:Engineering Leadership: Ability to build, lead, and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary engineering organization while establishing clear technical direction and accountability.Manufacturing Engineering: Advanced understanding of engineering principles, electronics manufacturing processes, equipment, test systems, automation, and production technologies.Operational Excellence: Ability to leverage engineering resources, technology, and continuous improvement methodologies to improve quality, cost, delivery, productivity, and manufacturing performance.NPI & Product Lifecycle Management: Ability to provide organizational leadership across product introduction, manufacturing readiness, sustaining engineering, engineering changes, and product transitions.Technical Problem Solving: Ability to lead resolution of complex technical and manufacturing challenges using structured analytical, risk assessment, and root cause methodologies.Resource & Capacity Planning: Ability to anticipate and align engineering talent, skills, equipment, technology, and technical resources with current and future business requirements.Financial & Business Acumen: Ability to evaluate budgets, capital investments, engineering priorities, cost opportunities, and technical decisions based on business value and return.Customer Leadership: Ability to build technical credibility with customers and effectively lead complex discussions, escalations, business reviews, and strategic technical engagements.Talent Development: Ability to identify, attract, coach, develop, and retain engineering talent while building organizational capability and succession pipelines.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to build productive partnerships across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Program Management, and site leadership to achieve business objectives.Strategic Decision Making: Ability to evaluate technical, operational, financial, customer, and business risk and make timely decisions in complex or ambiguous situations.Qualifications:Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related engineering discipline required.Certifications: Lean Manufacturing certification preferred. Project Management Professional (PMP) or related project management certification preferred. IPC or other electronics manufacturing industry certifications preferred.Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive engineering experience within a manufacturing environment, preferably electronics manufacturing, EMS, or contract manufacturing. Minimum of 5 years of engineering leadership experience with responsibility for engineering teams, technical functions, or multiple engineering disciplines. Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams of engineering leaders, engineers, technicians, and technical professionals. Strong experience with NPI, sustaining engineering, manufacturing process development, product transfers, and manufacturing readiness. Strong knowledge of electronics manufacturing processes including SMT, through-hole assembly, soldering, inspection, test, rework, and related PCBA manufacturing operations. Demonstrated experience leading complex technical problem solving, root cause analysis, continuous improvement, automation, and manufacturing optimization initiatives. Experience managing engineering resources, budgets, capital equipment, capacity requirements, and technical projects. Experience supporting customer technical engagements, escalations, business reviews, and cross-functional program execution. Working knowledge of DFM/DFT/DFx, engineering change and configuration management, BOMs, MES/ERP systems, and applicable electronics manufacturing standards. Must qualify as an ITAR-compliant U.S. Person where required by applicable business or customer requirements.Physical Requirements:Ability to sit for extended periods while performing computer-based work, attending meetings, and reviewing reports.Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while conducting floor presence, observations, meetings, audits, and employee interactions.Ability to communicate effectively in person, virtually, and through written communication.Ability to use standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and related technology.Ability to move throughout office, production, warehouse, and customer environments as business needs require.Ability to occasionally bend, reach, and lift materials or equipment up to 25 pounds.Ability to travel as required by business needs.Ability to visually review documents, reports, presentations, production information, and computer displays with or without corrective lenses.Mental Requirements:The employee is required to exercise strategic thinking, sound judgment, and independent decision-making in support of departmental and organizational objectives.The role requires the ability to analyze complex information, evaluate risks, resolve conflicts, manage multiple priorities, and make timely decisions in a dynamic environment.Employees must effectively communicate, influence, coach, and collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality. The position requires strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and the ability to balance short-term operational needs with long-term business objectives.Work Environment:Work is performed in a professional, climate-controlled office setting with exposure to standard office noise levels and lighting. The role routinely uses typical office equipment, including computers, phones, printers, and related peripherals. Duties may involve extended periods of sitting, sustained computer work, and regular interaction with internal staff. Employees may occasionally access production areas, which may expose them to elevated noise levels, temperature variations, or manufacturing activity. All employees are expected to comply with workplace policies, safety protocols, and organizational procedures.Travel