Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Manager

MAS HVAC, Inc; Maple Grove (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental plans

Disability insurance

HSA, FSA plans available

401k matching

Annual safety shoe allowance

Education assistance program

Job summary

Gradian Thermal Solutions in Maple Grove, MN, is seeking an Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead a team of engineers focused on new product launches, automation, Industry 4.0, and pre-production development across air, liquid, chiller, DX, and CDU lines.

You will own MES strategy, drive cross-site technology deployment, and ensure safe, scalable processes transfer to sustaining production while mentoring engineers and collaborating with design, program management, and operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering.
• 8–10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience with 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Proven history of leading new technology deployment, automation, or process launches.
• Strong knowledge of DFM/DFA, FMEA, Lean Six Sigma, and structured launch methods (3P).
• Experience managing capital equipment projects and NPDI milestones.
• Experience with MES selection, implementation, or administration is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Advanced Manufacturing Engineers and set technical direction.
• Develop and implement manufacturing processes, technology, and capital equipment.
• Own MES strategy and cross-site technology deployment.
• Transfer new processes into sustaining production with NPDI milestones.
• Ensure safety and ergonomics per OSHA in new processes and equipment.

Skills

Leadership

Automation

DFM/DFA

FMEA

Lean Six Sigma

3P

MES

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

PLC-based systems

Automation equipment

Job description

Gradian is an engineering-led, full-line thermal solutions partner serving data center and other mission-critical, commercial, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Maple Grove, MN, with additional facilities across North America, we design and manufacture liquid cooling systems, air handling equipment, heat rejection units, and modular, factory-assembled thermal management solutions.Gradian was founded through the unification of four complementary, established brands: MAS HVAC, Daedex, DeepCoolAI, and EcoChillers. Together, we act as a single-source provider, deploying cooling technologies as scalable systems optimized for efficiency, spatial constraints, and overall performance. With a vertically integrated engineering and manufacturing model, we pair rapid design turnaround with precision fabrication, so customers can move faster on complex projects where reliability, timeline, and quality all matter.Why work hereAt Gradian, you'll work alongside others who get genuinely fired up by complex problems, see your work go from first sketch to job site in weeks, not years, and know that while we're developing the technologies critical for AI infrastructure to scale, our culture remains people-first by design.It is core to our identity that we operate as one team — driving to win together, energizing others, and building lasting relationships that make the work fun and rewarding.Position Summary:The Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Manager is Gradian's forward-looking product, technology and process-launch leader — the function that figures out how to build tomorrow's products before they ever reach a plant floor. Reporting to the Director of Manufacturing Engineering, you will lead a team of Advanced Manufacturing Engineers responsible for new product launch, new technology deployment, automation and Industry 4.0 implementation, and pre-production process development across our Air, Liquid, Chiller, DX, and CDU product lines. You will own the handoff point between product design and sustaining production — developing and proving out manufacturing processes, technology, and capital equipment before transferring stabilized lines to our plant-level Manufacturing Engineering Managers. This role is also Gradian's primary owner of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) strategy and digital manufacturing platform deployment, directly enabling a connected, visually managed production environment across our network.Key Responsibilities:Lead and develop a team of Advanced Manufacturing Engineers, setting technical direction and building capability in automation, controls, and advanced process designOwn development and implementation of manufacturing processes, technology, and capital equipment supporting new product development (NPD) programs, from concept through stabilized production handoffSpecify and procure capital equipment supporting new line launches and technology upgrades; develop and justify capital project budgetsLead product/process transfers and new line launches, coordinating directly with Design Engineering, Program Management, and plant Operations to execute NPDI milestonesApply advanced launch methodologies — DFM/DFA, FMEA, 3P (Production Preparation Process), and Lean Six Sigma — ensuring new processes are capable, safe, and scalable before transfer to sustaining productionProvide multi-site technology deployment support, partnering with plant Manufacturing Engineering Managers to implement standardized, proven technology and processes across Gradian's networkMentor and teach the cross-functional NPD engineering process, building organizational capability beyond your direct teamDevelop and drive Gradian's automation and Industry 4.0 technology roadmap, identifying and implementing automation, robotics, and digital manufacturing opportunities across the plant networkOwn Manufacturing Execution System (MES) strategy and implementation, partnering with plant-level Manufacturing Engineering Managers and ITPartner with plant Manufacturing Engineering Managers and the Director of Manufacturing Engineering to ensure well-documented handoff of new processes into sustaining productionEvaluate production capacity and capability of new and existing technology, recommending enhancements to support growthEnsure safety and ergonomics are designed into new processes and equipment from the outset, in compliance with OSHA and applicable codesQualifications & Requirements:Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical field8–10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, including 3+ years in a leadership roleDemonstrated experience leading new technology deployment, automation, or process launchesStrong working knowledge of DFM/DFA, FMEA, Lean Six Sigma, and structured launch methodologies (e.g., 3P)Experience specifying, justifying, and managing capital equipment projectsProven ability to lead and develop a technical engineering teamPreferred:Experience with MES selection, implementation, or administrationExperience with automation, robotics, and PLC-based systemsExperience in HVAC, thermal management, or data center cooling equipment manufacturingSix Sigma Green/Black Belt or equivalent certificationExperience supporting multi-site or multi-plant technology deploymentKey Competencies:Forward-looking technical vision balanced with practical, achievable executionLeadership and team developmentCross-functional influence (Design Engineering, Program Management, Operations, IT)Structured problem-solving and launch disciplineChange management and organizational teaching abilityData-driven decision makingSafety-first mindset in new process and equipment designBenefits:Medical, vision, and dental plansShort-term and long-term disability insuranceGroup term life insurance coverageHSA, FSA, and Dependent Care plans available8 paid holidays, 4 floating holidays, and generous PTO policy401k matchingCompany paid eventsAnnual safety shoe allowanceEducation assistance programEEO Statement:Gradian Thermal Solutions is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other legally protected status.Employment decisions at Gradian are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and actively promote a culture of fairness, equity, and opportunity.We also provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances, in accordance with applicable laws.