Director of Engineering

Versique; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 175,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Versique is seeking a senior engineering leader to plan, organize and direct the engineering function in a fast-paced environment. You will guide technical direction, drive product roadmaps and KPI-driven performance with cross-functional partners.

Oversight includes supervision of design, testing and validation, budget management and staff development to build a high-performing team that delivers on strategic priorities and customer commitments.

Qualifications

• B.S. Engineering; Advanced Degree preferred.
• 10+ years plus experience in product development and/or project management.
• 7+ years of supervisory or management experience; excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Experience with BI and AI tools, including Power BI, to analyze information and improve workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes annual product development plans aligned to business strategies.
• Oversees product design, testing, validation and regulatory/compliance considerations.
• Keeps informed on competitive offerings and technical advancements affecting the company.
• Maintains and advances relationships with customers and technical service suppliers.
• Establishes standards, policies, processes and benchmarks for the engineering team.
• Evaluates information infrastructure and guides product development priorities.
• Uses Power BI to monitor engineering performance and communicate metrics to leadership.
• Designs new products to meet performance and financial targets; improves existing ones.
• Owns and improves the Engineering Change Notice release process.
• Manages annual operating budget and staffing plans.
• Develops employees through coaching and training to build a high-performing organization.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Data visualization

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

B.S. Engineering; Advanced Degree preferred

Tools

Power BI

AI productivity tools

Job description

This role is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the engineering function, which includes leading the team direction, developing people, process improvements, product roadmaps, and KPI’s in a fast‑paced, speed to market environment. Additionally, this person will act as a trusted technical and organizational leader across the business; guide technical direction and portfolio architecture decisions with cross functional partners; drive corporate strategy by aligning product architectures, engineering priorities and execution; strengthen technical leadership, accountability, and decision making across the team. Directly supervise a team of Development Engineers, Design Engineers, Design/Drafters, Lab Technicians/Engineers, Cost Estimators and Master Data Coordinators. This position reports to the VP of Engineering & Operations.

Worksite Location

Onsite, Minneapolis, MN

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive base salary, aligned with experience, ideal salary range of $175 - $200k with bonus opportunity of 15%. Comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, disability, life insurance), short & long- term disability, retirement savings plan with employer contribution, educational assistance, and paid time off & holidays.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Directly develops and executes annual product development plans and identifies annual initiatives and programs to support business strategies.
• Oversees all product design, testing and validation and decisions with respect to results. Ensures that product designs meet expectations. (i.e. reliability, aesthetics, customer requirements, regulatory requirements etc.)
• Keeps informed as to developments in competitive product offerings, and in material and technical advancements as they apply to the company.
• Responsible for maintaining and advancing technical relationships with customers and technical service suppliers. Provides technical assistance, with respect to product application, to internal and external marketing representatives and customers.
• Establishes standards, policies, processes and benchmarks for the engineering team.
• Evaluates technical information infrastructure and makes recommendations to improve and optimize. Provide leadership for Product Development in making decisions on and setting priorities for new products or changes to existing products.
• Uses data visualization, reporting and analytics tools, including Power BI, to monitor engineering performance, identify trends, support decision‑making and communicate key metrics to leadership.
• Responsible for the design of new products that satisfy all performance requirements and meet or exceed the required financial performance of the company. In addition, responsible for the modification and improvement of existing products.
• Owns and completes continuous improvements to the Engineering Change Notice release process
• Establishes annual operating budget and manages against that budget.
• Responsible for the on‑going management and development of assigned employees through coaching and training to produce a high-performing organization. Determines staffing and skill requirements to meet organization needs and implements plans to satisfy those requirements.

Required Skills & Experience

• B.S. Engineering; Advanced Degree preferred
• 10+ years plus experience in product development and/or project management
• 7+ years of supervisory or management experience Excellent organizational skills and interpersonal skills, and communication skills
• Ability to effectively use business intelligence and AI‑enabled tools, including Power BI and other approved AI productivity tools, to analyze information, improve workflows and support informed decision‑making.
• Ability to recruit, retain, coach and build a high performing technical team.
• Ability to meet deadlines; accomplish work in order of priority; professionally maintain composure and effectiveness under pressure and changing conditions.
• Ability to learn new duties and adjust to new situations encountered on the job within a reasonable amount of time.
• Ability to negotiate conflict and maintain constructive working relationships with people at all levels of an organization (both inside and outside the company).
• Background in Engine Technology a plus

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