Engineering Manager

Heraeus Holding GmbH; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Heraeus Covantics in Chandler, AZ seeks an Engineering Manager to lead engineering, automation, process improvement, equipment reliability, and capital project activities in a ceramic manufacturing facility. You will provide strategic and technical leadership to advance manufacturing technology, improve performance, and ensure safe, efficient operations.

This role partners with Operations, Quality, R&D, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to optimize processes, develop engineering talent, and manage

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• 5–10 years of manufacturing engineering experience with 3–5 years in engineering leadership.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and driving performance.
• Experience with process development, scale-up, qualification and tech transfer.
• Proficiency with statistical analysis and manufacturing improvement tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of process, manufacturing, and project engineers.
• Develop, implement, and optimize ceramic manufacturing processes (powder prep, sintering, grinding, CNC, polishing).
• Oversee manufacturing readiness, process validation, and scale-up of new designs from R&D to production.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
• Lead technical evaluations and process development projects with R&D, Quality, and Operations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for yield, scrap, throughput, cycle time, and cost.
• Manage departmental operating budgets and CAPEX planning and execution.
• Drive equipment reliability and asset utilization via preventive maintenance and OEE.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

DMAIC

Statistical Analysis

Minitab/JMP

Project Management

Communication

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical discipline

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Minitab

JMP

Job description

Engineering Manager

Permanent

About Heraeus

Making displays foldable? Helping hearts beat with medical innovations? Or breathing new life into precious metals? As a family-owned global technology group we help our customers to always being one step ahead.

About Heraeus Covantics

We are one of the leading materials specialists in the production and processing of high-purity quartz glass and other high-quality materials such as ceramics and innovative composites. With a global team of over 2,000 employees and locations in Europe, the USA, and Asia, we specialize in manufacturing semi-finished products, complex system components, and customized solutions for the information and telecommunications industry, the production of specialty fibers for industrial and medical applications, semiconductor manufacturing, and optics. In our company, you can expect an innovation-driven work environment, global teamwork, and the opportunity to take an active role in social and environmentalresponsibility. Become part of our team and shape the future with us!

Summary

The Engineering Manager is responsible for leading all engineering, automation, process improvement, equipment reliability, and capital project activities within a ceramic manufacturing facility. This role provides strategic and technical leadership to drive operational excellence, manufacturing technology advancement, and new product introduction while ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations. The Engineering Manager partners closely with Operations, Quality, R&D, Maintenance, and Supply Chain teams to improve manufacturing performance, optimize processes, and support long-term business growth. This position is accountable for developing engineering talent, executing capital investment strategies, and maintaining high standards of product quality, safety, and environmental compliance.

Your Role and Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of process, manufacturing, and project engineers.
• Develop, implement, and optimize ceramic manufacturing processes including powder preparation, sintering, grinding, CNC, and polishing.
• Oversee manufacturing readiness, process validation, and scale-up of new designs from R&D to production.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
• Lead technical evaluations and process development projects in collaboration with R&D, Quality, and Operations teams.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on yield enhancement, scrap reduction, throughput improvement, cycle time reduction, and cost optimization.
• Manage departmental operating budgets and CAPEX planning, justification and execution for new equipment and infrastructure.
• Drive equipment reliability and asset utilization through preventive maintenance strategies, OEE improvement, and root cause analysis.
• Identify and implement automation, digitalization, and Industry 4.0 technologies to improve operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements while fostering a culture of operational excellence.

What is required for the role:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical discipline required; Master's degree preferred.
• 5-10 years of manufacturing engineering experience with at least 3-5 years in a formal engineering leadership role within advanced ceramics, semiconductor materials, or related manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and driving organizational performance.
• Experience with process development, manufacturing scale-up, qualification, and technology transfer.
• Proficiency with statistical analysis and manufacturing improvement tools such as Minitab, JMP, or equivalent.
• Experience applying Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, DMAIC, or equivalent continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong project management experience, including CAPEX planning, equipment procurement, installation, and startup.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and stakeholders without direct authority.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex technical information to customers, leadership, and non-technical audiences.
• Strong knowledge of safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements within a manufacturing environment.