Engineering Manager

Synectics Inc.; Vaughan; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Employee perks

Job summary

Synectics Inc. in Concord, Ontario, is seeking an Engineering Manager (Mechanical Design) to lead a high-performance design team focused on automated packaging machinery.

The role combines leadership, technical direction, and hands-off governance to ensure innovative, reliable equipment. You will mentor engineers, shape CAD standards and design reviews, and coordinate multi-disciplinary efforts to deliver manufacturable solutions on schedule.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of mechanical design experience in automation, robotics, packaging, or custom machine building.
• Demonstrated leadership through formal or informal roles in engineering teams.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical design principles and CAD practices, especially SolidWorks.
• Solid understanding of GD&T, pneumatics, servo systems, and design fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and coach a mechanical design team across experience levels.
• Provide strategic technical direction and ensure designs meet quality, manufacturability, reliability, and safety standards.
• Plan and allocate engineering resources across concurrent automation projects; manage priorities and timelines.
• Drive continuous improvement in engineering workflows, documentation, and design-for-manufacturing practices.

Skills

Mechanical design

Leadership

GD&T

Pneumatics

Servo systems

Communication

Problem-solving

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Engineering Manager (Mechanical Design) - Lead, Develop, and Elevate a High-Performance Design Team

About The Opportunity

Our client is a leading manufacturer of high-speed automation solutions serving the packaging, print, and converting industries. With a strong reputation for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, speed, and precision, the organization designs, builds, and delivers advanced automated equipment from its manufacturing facility in the Greater Toronto Area. The company offers a collaborative and innovative work environment where employees are encouraged to share ideas, develop their skills, and contribute to meaningful advancements in automation technology.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Engineering Manager (Mechanical Design) to provide leadership and direction to a high-performing mechanical engineering team. This opportunity is ideal for a senior mechanical design professional with extensive experience in automation, robotics, packaging machinery, or custom machine building who is ready to transition from hands-on design into a people-focused leadership role.

In this position, you will lead and develop the mechanical design team, provide technical direction, oversee engineering priorities and resources, and drive continuous improvement across engineering processes. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to remove roadblocks, support project execution, and ensure the delivery of innovative, reliable, and high-quality automated equipment.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & People Development

• Lead, mentor, and coach a team of mechanical design engineers at various experience levels.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, performance reviews, and career development discussions.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and improvement.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and professional development initiatives within the engineering team.
• Manage and support a team of up to 10 employees.

Technical Direction & Design Excellence

• Provide strategic technical leadership and guidance without being responsible for day-to-day design activities.
• Ensure mechanical designs meet high standards for quality, manufacturability, reliability, safety, and performance.
• Lead and facilitate design reviews while providing guidance based on strong mechanical engineering principles.
• Establish and maintain best practices related to CAD modeling, GD&T, documentation, and engineering calculations.
• Support technical problem-solving and decision-making across complex automation projects.

Project & Resource Management

• Plan and allocate engineering resources across multiple concurrent automation projects.
• Establish priorities, manage workloads, and support the successful delivery of engineering milestones.
• Oversee engineering change requests and change orders while ensuring effective documentation and communication.
• Collaborate closely with electrical engineering, controls, manufacturing, procurement, and other internal stakeholders.
• Identify and remove roadblocks that may impact engineering productivity or project timelines.

Process Improvement & Operational Leadership

• Drive continuous improvement in engineering workflows, design processes, and documentation standards.
• Implement systems and processes that improve productivity, reduce rework, and enhance communication.
• Support initiatives related to standardization, modular design, and design-for-manufacturing.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen engineering efficiency, consistency, and overall operational performance.

Qualifications

Required

• 7+ years of experience in mechanical design within automation, robotics, packaging machinery, or custom machine building.
• Demonstrated leadership ability through formal management experience or informal technical/team leadership.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical engineering principles and design practices.
• Experience with CAD software, preferably SolidWorks.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, pneumatics, servo systems, and mechanical design fundamentals.
• Proven ability to manage priorities, coordinate teams, and support multiple project timelines.
• Strong communication, mentorship, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Preferred

• Experience overseeing engineering processes, project coordination, or technical teams.
• Familiarity with PDM systems and structured document control processes.
• Exposure to Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or process improvement methodologies.

Why Join?

• Opportunity to lead and develop a high-performing mechanical engineering team.
• Work in a collaborative and innovative advanced manufacturing environment.
• Contribute to the development of complex, high-speed automation equipment.
• Be part of a culture that values learning, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams and play a key role in shaping engineering standards and processes.
• Competitive total rewards package, including vacation, health and dental benefits, and additional employee perks.

Location

This position is based in Concord, Ontario, with convenient access to major highways and free on-site parking. The facility offers a clean, modern, and collaborative manufacturing environment designed to support innovation and engineering excellence.