DIrector of Engineering

Keystone Distinction Group; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Distinction Group in Charlotte, NC seeks an active Engineering Director to lead a growing engineering team. This hands-on role combines product design, development, and testing with strong leadership in a lab-focused environment. You will partner with the Chief Engineer to ensure quality, schedule adherence, and successful New Product Development from concept to manufacturing launch.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.
• 7+ years of progressive engineering experience in manufacturing.
• Minimum of 2 years of formal supervisory experience with direct reports.
• Hands-on product design and development experience required.
• Comfortable performing physical product testing in a lab.
• Working familiarity with CAD-based design processes.
• Must work 100% on-site at Charlotte, NC facility.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct line management, performance reviews, and professional development for the engineering team.
• Onboard, mentor, and rebuild a collaborative department.
• Manage project scheduling, prioritization, and resource allocation across multiple product lines.
• Triage and approve Engineering Change Notices (ECN) as a first-line filter.
• Oversee day-to-day plant quality functions and outbound QC.
• Coordinate witness testing with third-party cert agencies.

Skills

Leadership

Product design experience

Lab testing

CAD familiarity

Project management

Manufacturing knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

CAD software

Job description

We are seeking an active, hands‑on Engineering Director to lead our growing engineering department. This is a "working manager" role designed for a collaborative leader who enjoys being present in the lab and directly contributing to product design, development, and testing alongside their team.

In this role, you will manage day‑to‑day operations, project execution, and a talented team of five direct reports (including project engineers, sourcing, and lab personnel). You will work in a parallel partnership with our Chief Engineer, who serves as the ultimate technical and compliance authority, allowing you to focus on department leadership, workflow execution, quality oversight, and hands‑on engineering.

Key Responsibilities

Team Management & Development

• Provide direct line management, performance reviews, and professional development for the engineering team.

• Onboard, mentor, and rebuild a highly collaborative department.

• Manage project scheduling, prioritization, and resource allocation across multiple product lines.

• Triage and approve Engineering Change Notices (ECN) as a first‑line filter.

Quality Control Oversight

• Oversee day‑to‑day plant quality functions, including inbound parts inspection, in‑process QC, and outbound quality control.

• Manage the customer returns process and coordinate vendor quality rejects.

• Monitor quality metrics, manage QC personnel, and elevate systemic issues to the Chief Engineer for technical resolution.

Product Testing & Hands‑On Lab Contribution

• Actively participate in hands‑on product testing and R&D within our certified lab.

• Lead test planning for gas appliances, ventilation, and electric heating product lines.

• Coordinate witness testing schedules with third‑party certification agencies (e.g., CSA, BSI, ETL).

Project Management & NPD

• Drive New Product Development (NPD) projects from initial concept through to manufacturing launch.

• Coordinate cross‑functional timelines with sales, operations, purchasing, and quality.

• Support the sourcing process, supplier outreach, and sample tracking alongside our Sourcing Engineer.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications (Layer 1 Filters)

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.

• Experience: 7+ years of progressive engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.

• Leadership: Minimum of 2 years of formal, documented supervisory experience with direct reports (technical engineering personnel). (Note: Informal mentoring or team lead experience without direct reports will not satisfy this requirement).

• Design Background: Hands‑on product design and development experience is required. (Candidates with backgrounds solely in testing, quality, or analysis without design ownership will not be prioritized).

• Testing Familiarity: Comfortable working directly in a lab setting, performing physical product testing.

• CAD/Systems: Working familiarity with CAD‑based product design processes to review and discuss 3D models with the team.

• Location: Must be able to work 100% on‑site at our Charlotte, NC facility (no remote/hybrid options).

• Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience in thermal, combustion, or HVAC manufacturing (e.g., gas‑fired heating, commercial ventilation, or electric heating systems).

• Strong understanding of agency certification processes (UL, CSA, ETL, or equivalent).

• Experience implementing Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma principles.

• Proven track record of onboarding, building, and scaling engineering teams.