Associate Director of Engineering

Aleron; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Acara Solutions in Erie, PA seeks an Associate Director of Engineering to lead engineering and quality teams, provide strategic direction, and drive successful project delivery. You will guide high-performing teams, ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.

This onsite direct-hire role partners across functions to support continuous improvement, align with business goals, and foster a collaborative, accountable culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology is required.
• 4+ years in a managerial role in engineering or similar leadership role.
• 4+ years of experience with project management tools and methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support engineering and quality teams to promote high performance and growth.
• Develop and implement engineering and quality strategies aligned with business priorities.
• Oversee projects from planning through delivery within time, scope, and budget.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to support project execution and continuous improvement.
• Monitor KPIs, manage resources and budgets, ensure compliance with standards.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology

Tools

PTC CREO

INFOR (Syteline) CSI10

Microsoft 365

Job description

Job Title: Associate Director of Engineering

Location: Erie, PA - Onsite

Employment Type: Direct Hire

Industry: Manufacturing industry

Compensation: $80,000 to $90,000/year

Schedule: 40 hours / week

About the Opportunity

• We are seeking an experienced engineering and quality leader to guide high-performing teams and drive successful project delivery. In this role, you will provide strategic direction, support continuous improvement, and collaborate across teams to achieve quality, innovation, and business goals.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Supportive, team-driven culture that values collaboration, transparency, and accountability
• Opportunity to grow your career with a global workforce solutions leader serving multiple industries
• People-first environment that encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work
• Strong focus on partnership, innovation, and delivering meaningful results for clients and candidates

Why This Opportunity is Exciting

This role offers the chance to join a company that prioritizes both people and performance-where your contributions directly impact client success while giving you room to grow and develop professionally.

About Acara Solutions

Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience across industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive the business outcomes they seek. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.

What You'll Do

• Lead, mentor, and support engineering and quality teams to promote high performance and professional growth.
• Develop and implement engineering and quality strategies, goals, and objectives aligned with overall business priorities.
• Oversee engineering projects from planning through delivery, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to support seamless project execution, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor key performance indicators, manage resources and budgets, ensure compliance with applicable standards, and identify opportunities to improve processes and performance.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology
• 4+ years of experience in a managerial role in an engineering department or in a similar leadership role within the engineering field.
• 4+ years of experience with project management tools and methodologies.

What Sets You Apart

• Master's Degree
• Strong technical background and expertise with the development of new products.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Experience with ISO, Lean Manufacturing, or other process improvement methodologies
• Proficient computer skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 (excel, outlook, word, teams*)
• Working knowledge of engineering software. PTC CREO preferred.
• Working Knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) INFOR (Syteline) CSI10
• Exposure to reviewing documents, spreadsheets, or compliance-related processes.

Additional Information

• Upon offer of employment, the individual will be subject to a background check
• Lifting/Moving 0-20 lbs.; Occasional
• Lifting/Moving 20-50 lbs.; Seldom
• Ability to move over 50 lbs. using lifting aide equipment; Seldom
• Twisting/Bending; Occasional
• Driving; Occasional
• Pushing/Pulling; Seldom
• Climbing/Accessing Heights; Seldom
• Sitting; Frequent
• Standing; Occasional
• Walking; Occasional
• Talking / Hearing; Frequent
• Writing; Occasional
• Manual Keying/Data Entry; Frequent
• Seldom (<10%), Occasional (10% - 50%), Frequent (50% - 80%), Constant (>80%)

Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.