Director of Engineering

Sterling Engineering; Libertyville (IL); On-site; USD 190,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary up to $225K

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) contributions

Paid vacation and sick time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Director of Engineering who will oversee a multidisciplinary team in Libertyville. This role focuses on designing and scaling high-speed automated assembly systems, with responsibilities including leading engineering teams, collaborating with clients for seamless execution, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate has a strong background in high-speed automation and experience in FDA-regulated industries. A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package are provided.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large engineering organizations with multiple layers of management.
• Strong background in high-speed automation ideally from an automation integrator environment.
• Experience in FDA‑regulated industries (Medical Device, Pharma, Food, Consumer).

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a large engineering team.
• Drive design, specification, installation, and support of automation equipment.
• Collaborate with clients and cross-functional teams.

Skills

high-speed automation

leadership

communication

problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or related Engineering field

Master’s or MBA preferred

Job description

Director of Engineering – High-Speed Automation

Location: Buffalo Grove & Libertyville, IL

Compensation: Up to $225K + Full Relocation Available

Base pay range

$190,000.00/yr - $225,000.00/yr

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Site General Manager, the Director of Engineering will lead a large, multidisciplinary engineering organization—overseeing 60 engineers, 120 technicians, and 9 managers—with responsibility for designing, building, and scaling high-speed automated assembly systems. You’ll work closely with site leadership to expand existing lines, launch new lines, and support the startup of a brand-new plant in Libertyville.

This is a rare opportunity to influence strategy, build organizational capabilities, and partner with top medical device companies to deliver cutting‑edge automation solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a large engineering team to deliver on automation and production goals.
• Drive the design, specification, installation, and support of high-speed automation equipment and tooling.
• Oversee commissioning, validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), and production support of automation systems.
• Partner with clients to navigate technical challenges, communicate vision, and ensure seamless execution.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver cost‑effective, scalable, and compliant automation solutions.
• Guide strategic planning for automation initiatives and capacity expansions.
• Maintain alignment with FDA regulations, medical device quality standards, and organizational KPIs.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or related Engineering field; Master’s or MBA preferred.
• Strong background in high-speed automation, ideally from an automation integrator (OEM) environment.
• Experience in OT (controls/hardware) and exposure to SCADA systems is a plus.
• Demonstrated success in leading large engineering organizations with multiple layers of management.
• Experience supporting automation in FDA‑regulated industries (Medical Device, Pharma, Food, Consumer).
• Strong problem‑solving and critical thinking skills – able to “see the forest through the trees.”
• Excellent communication and leadership skills to influence teams, clients, and executives.
• Large company background and medical device assembly experience preferred.

What You’ll Receive

• Competitive base salary up to $225K
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Life, Short‑term, and Long‑term Disability insurance
• Matching 401(k) contributions
• Paid vacation and sick time

This is a high‑visibility leadership opportunity for a proven engineering leader who thrives in complex, regulated environments. If you’re ready to make a lasting impact on the future of automation in the medical device industry, we’d love to connect.