Director of Engineering

Sigma Design Inc; Washington; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Benefits

PTO

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

Sigma Design Inc. is seeking a Director of Engineering in the Tri Cities, WA area to provide technical leadership for the design and development of custom packaging and processing equipment.

The role guides engineering priorities, mentors teams, and partners with manufacturing, sales, vendors, and customers to deliver practical solutions. The position offers a flexible hybrid work environment with in-office presence up to two days per week, competitive compensation, medical benefits, and PTO.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (equivalent experience considered).
• 10+ years in mechanical engineering, machine design, or custom equipment engineering with leadership experience.
• PE license strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks; AutoCAD and Navis experience helpful.
• Experience with ERP systems; Total ETO familiarity is a plus.
• Willingness to travel across the United States for commissioning and projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering activities for design and development of custom packaging and processing equipment.
• Establish priorities and coordinate resources to meet project schedules and objectives.
• Mentor and guide engineers, promote design discipline and collaboration.
• Oversee concept to startup lifecycle of mechanical designs and assemblies.
• Review drawings, BOMs, and documentation for manufacturability and reliability.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, sales, vendors, and customers to define requirements.
• Improve engineering processes, standards, and project execution across multiple programs.
• Provide technical leadership and decision-making on design changes and field issues.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy alignment

Mentorship

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

PE license preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Navis

ERP systems

Total ETO

Job description

Director of Engineering (Direct Placement for Client)

Sigma Design has collaborated with a growing manufacturing company seeking an experienced Machine Design Engineer to join their team in the Tri Cities, WA area. This company specializes in the design and manufacture of custom food processing equipment used in industrial food production, supporting projects for well-known food manufacturers.

What Is Offered

• $140,000 and $170,000 annually, with the full range extending to $200,000 annually, based on experience, internal equity, and career progression
• Flexible hybrid work environment with up to two days per week in the office.
• Medical Benefits + PTO

Primary Function

The Director of Engineering provides technical and organizational leadership for the engineering function, overseeing the design and development of custom packaging and processing equipment from concept through commissioning. This role sets engineering priorities, provides technical direction, supports project execution, and partners with leadership, sales, manufacturing, vendors, and customers to deliver practical, manufacturable solutions that meet project requirements.

Essential Job Functions - Responsibilities

• Lead and provide technical direction for engineering activities related to the design and development of custom packaging and processing equipment.
• Establish engineering priorities and coordinate resources to support project requirements, schedules, and business objectives.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and technical guidance to engineering team members, fostering strong design practices, accountability, and collaboration.
• Oversee mechanical design and engineering projects from initial concept through detailed design, fabrication, assembly, installation, commissioning, and startup.
• Review and provide technical oversight of engineering designs, drawings, assemblies, models, bills of materials, and other project documentation.
• Ensure equipment designs are practical, manufacturable, reliable, and aligned with customer requirements and project specifications.
• Partner closely with manufacturing and fabrication teams to address design challenges, improve manufacturability, and resolve issues throughout the build process.
• Support engineering project planning, resource allocation, schedules, and priorities across multiple concurrent projects.
• Provide technical support and decision‑making for design changes, troubleshooting, testing, field issues, and equipment modifications.
• Collaborate with sales, manufacturing, vendors, customers, and company leadership to define requirements and develop effective engineering solutions.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering processes, design standards, documentation, tools, and overall project execution.
• Support the development and implementation of engineering standards and best practices as the company and engineering function grow.
• Lead the resolution of complex technical, manufacturing, and customer issues and make sound engineering decisions when challenges arise.
• Communicate engineering priorities, project status, technical risks, resource needs, and recommendations to company leadership.
• Participate in customer meetings, site visits, equipment commissioning, startup activities, and industry events as needed.
• Maintain a hands‑on understanding of the company's equipment, engineering processes, and manufacturing capabilities while providing strategic and technical leadership.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Experience: (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities)

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related engineering field preferred; equivalent combination of education and significant hands‑on engineering experience may be considered.
• 10+ years of progressive mechanical engineering, machine design, or custom equipment engineering experience, including demonstrated leadership of engineering teams, projects, or technical functions.
• Previous engineering leadership, management, or supervisory experience with increasing responsibility.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred.
• Proven experience leading engineering projects and/or engineering teams in a custom machinery, equipment, manufacturing, or industrial environment.
• Strong proficiency with SolidWorks; experience with AutoCAD and Navis preferred.
• Experience designing machinery, custom equipment, packaging equipment, food processing equipment, agricultural equipment, or other complex mechanical systems.
• Strong understanding of practical machine design, manufacturability, fabrication, assembly, and equipment integration.
• Demonstrated ability to review and provide technical direction on mechanical designs, drawings, 3D models, bills of materials, and engineering documentation.
• Experience working directly with manufacturing, fabrication, or machine shop environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple engineering projects, priorities, schedules, and resources.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills with the ability to address complex technical and project challenges.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively lead and collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, sales, vendors, customers, and company leadership.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to establish priorities and drive projects toward successful completion.
• Experience with ERP systems; familiarity with Total ETO is a plus.
• Food processing or packaging equipment experience is preferred but not required. Candidates with strong custom machinery or equipment design experience from other industries will be considered.
• Must be comfortable occasionally traveling throughout the United States for equipment commissioning, startup, customer projects, or trade shows. Travel is expected to be occasional and generally limited to no man than approximately two weeks at a time.
• Must successfully complete a post offer background verification.

Work Environment

Standard office environment with normal office related conditions. Occasionally may be required to travel as required to other facilities, clients, or suppliers.

SigmaDesign is an Equal Opportunity Employer