Director Engineering

Hobbsnews; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

BD in Milpitas, CA is seeking an experienced Site Engineering Leader to oversee manufacturing engineering, sustaining, and technical support. You will lead cross‑functional teams, drive cost reductions, and ensure regulatory compliance (FDA/ISO).

Ideal candidates bring 10–12+ years of engineering experience and at least 4 years in people management within a manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 10–12+ years of progressive engineering experience.
• 4+ years of people management in manufacturing.
• Experience with electro‑mechanical instrumentation in a regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead site engineering organization including manufacturing engineering, sustaining engineering, and technical support.
• Provide technical leadership for manufacturing processes and ensure safety, quality, and cost targets.
• Drive sustaining engineering, cost-reduction, and Lean/Six Sigma initiatives.
• Partner with R&D for successful NPI and technology transfer to manufacturing.
• Support product lifecycle governance, transitions, and end‑of‑life planning.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain and Quality to address supplier issues and implement CAPAs.
• Maintain engineering drawings, documentation, and adherence to design controls.
• Ensure compliance with quality systems and regulatory requirements (FDA, ISO) and support audits.
• Develop and manage site engineering budgets, run-rate analyses, and performance metrics.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Regulated manufacturing

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline

Master’s degree, MBA, or advanced technical degree

PMP and/or Six Sigma certification

Job description

As a result of the combination of the BD Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions business with Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT), by applying to this role, you will be applying for a position with Waters. Waters is a global leader in life sciences, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, Waters’ innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across biology, chemistry, and physics. Waters collaborates with analytical laboratories around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, assure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combatting growing antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, Waters’ passionate team of approximately 16,000 colleagues partner with customers to turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide.

We are the people who give possibilities purpose

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Site Engineering Leadership

• Lead, manage, and develop the site engineering organization, including manufacturing engineering, sustaining engineering, and technical support functions.
• Establish clear priorities, goals, and performance expectations aligned with site and business objectives.
• Build engineering capability, talent depth, and succession plans to support current and future business needs.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and high technical standards.

Manufacturing & Operations Support

• Provide overall technical leadership for manufacturing processes supporting Waters Biosciences instruments.
• Partner with Operations leadership to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets.
• Support manufacturing throughput, yield improvement, cycle time reduction, and product reliability initiatives.
• Ensure engineering support for day‑to‑day production, system and sub‑assembly testing, and issue resolution.
• Lead or support capital equipment justification, selection, and implementation to improve productivity or replace obsolete assets.

Sustaining Engineering & Cost Reduction

• Own and execute the site’s sustaining engineering portfolio, ensuring work is prioritized and aligned with business needs.
• Lead value engineering, redesign, PPV improvement, and cost‑reduction initiatives for existing instrument platforms.
• Drive disciplined problem‑solving using root cause analysis, CI, and Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.
• Ensure effective execution of ECOs, MRBs, and CAPAs in collaboration with Quality, Manufacturing, and R&D.

New Product Introduction & Technology Transfer

• Partner with R&D to support successful transfer of new Biosciences instruments into manufacturing.
• Ensure manufacturing readiness, including processes, tooling, documentation, test strategies, and training.
• Provide site representation in cross‑functional NPI and platform governance forums.
• Support integration of acquisitions or new technologies into site manufacturing operations as required.

Product Lifecycle Governance

• Support product lifecycle management activities, including sustainment, transitions, and end‑of‑life execution.
• Participate in project proposal reviews, portfolio prioritization, and lifecycle decision‑making forums.
• Ensure site engineering alignment with global lifecycle strategies for Waters instruments.

Supplier & Supply Chain Engineering Support

• Provide engineering support for supplier selection, qualification, and ongoing performance management.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Quality to address supplier quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure critical features, inspection points, and test requirements are defined and embedded in manufacturing and QC processes.

Technical Standards, Systems & Documentation

• Maintain ownership of engineering drawings, technical documentation, and drawing control systems at the site.
• Ensure compliance with engineering standards, design control requirements, and documentation practices.
• Develop and apply site‑specific engineering frameworks and best practices aligned with global standards.

Quality, Regulatory & Safety Compliance

• Ensure engineering activities comply with applicable quality systems and regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, ISO).
• Provide technical support for audits, inspections, and regulatory inquiries.
• Ensure adherence to EH&S requirements and promote a strong safety culture across all engineering areas.
• Support GMP, design control, change management, and risk management processes.

Financial & Operational Management

• Develop and manage site engineering budgets, forecasts, and operating plans.
• Provide cost estimates, run‑rate analysis, and input to annual operating and strategic planning processes.
• Track and report engineering performance metrics to Operations and senior leadership.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 10–12+ years of progressive engineering experience in manufacturing, sustaining engineering, or product development.
• 4+ years of people management experience leading engineering teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience supporting electro‑mechanical instrumentation or complex manufacturing systems.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple engineering projects in a regulated, matrixed environment.
• Experience working cross‑functionally with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and R&D.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills.

Preferred

• Master’s degree, MBA, or advanced technical degree.
• PMP and/or Six Sigma (Black Belt or DFSS) certification.
• Experience in life sciences, biotechnology, diagnostics, or analytical instrumentation industries.
• Strong working knowledge of FDA, ISO 13485, GMP, and design control environments.
• Experience supporting global manufacturing or contract manufacturing partners.

Why Join Us?

To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of healthcare. At BD, you’ll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive.

We believe that when people connect in person, we learn faster, collaborate more deeply, and build a stronger culture. Join us and enjoy a culture where face‑to‑face collaboration supports your learning, your progress, and your success.

To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers

Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Required Skills

Optional Skills

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Primary Work Location

USA CA - Milpitas 155

Work Shift

At BD, we reward, support and develop our associates through our comprehensive Total Rewards program. We are committed to attracting and retaining high quality talent by providing reward and recognition opportunities that promote a performance-based culture, as well as a competitive package of compensation and benefits programs. You can learn more on our career site under "Our Commitment to You".

Our salary or hourly rate ranges reward associates fairly and competitively. We regularly review these ranges and factors, such as location, contribute to the range displayed.

Our pay is based on the role and the necessary skills and education to perform it successfully. The salary or hourly rate offered is determined by the role's specific requirements, including any applicable step rate pay system at the work location. Salary or hourly pay ranges are influenced by labor laws and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) requirements applicable to the work location which may also affect the workplace arrangement of the role.

Salary Range Information