Engineering Manager

Accelera; Erlanger (KY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Accelera in Kentucky is seeking an engineering leader to oversee the engineering department, guiding bespoke machinery development from client requirements through delivery and installation. You will provide expert mechanical design guidance, drive innovative solutions, and ensure strict validation and process adherence.

The role requires 6–8 years in engineering management with a focus on design, plus a PE or PMP-like credential, and involves 15–20% travel; salary ranges from $110,000 to

Qualifications

• Six to eight years of engineering management experience with heavy design focus.
• Proven track record directing mechanical design for custom engineered products.
• PE license, Lean/Six Sigma, PMP, or Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and develop seven to eight designers to optimize performance.
• Supervise mechanical designs, BOMs, calculations, and formal reviews.
• Oversee schedules, budgets, and scope from concept to completion.
• Develop standardized CAD, documentation, and engineering parts procedures.
• Evaluate technical feasibility and quoting for custom projects.
• Collaborate with manufacturing to improve design quality and cost efficiency.
• Integrate mechanical designs with automation and electrical components.
• Engage with clients to address technical requirements and solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Mechanical design

CAD software

Project management

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Design Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

Inventor

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

CATIA

Job description

Role Summary:

This newly created leadership position oversees the engineering department, focusing on the development of bespoke manufacturing machinery and tailored technical solutions. You will provide expert mechanical design guidance, foster innovative problem-solving, and ensure rigorous process adherence while managing the entire lifecycle of projects from initial client requirements to final delivery and installation.

• Relocation support is not provided, and no per diem is available.
• Expect to travel for business purposes between 15% and 20% of the time.

The starting salary range is $110,000 to $125,000, supplemented by a 5% bonus opportunity.

• Leadership centered on design excellence.
• Innovative approaches to complex challenges.
• Strict adherence to validation and process standards.

Additional Information

• Backgrounds in HACCP or food-grade environments are advantageous but not mandatory.
• Experience within regulated design sectors is prioritized over specific industry history.
• We are aiming to onboard the successful candidate as quickly as possible.

Professional Qualifications

• Six to eight years of experience in engineering management with a heavy emphasis on design.
• Proven track record in directing mechanical design for custom-engineered products.
• Ability to drive creative solutions by applying a holistic, full-system perspective to design choices.
• Help maintain high quality by enforcing strict validation, documentation, and manufacturability standards.
• Help ensure project success by effectively managing team priorities, budgets, and technical risks.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Design Engineering, or a related discipline.

Desired Attributes

• Experience in regulated sectors such as electronics, food, aerospace, or life sciences.
• Knowledge of sanitary design, FDA, CFIA, or HACCP protocols.
• Expertise in industrial automation or electrical controls.
• Experience with ERP systems, parts management, or custom equipment estimating.
• Professional Engineer license, Lean/Six Sigma certification, PMP, or a Master’s degree.

Primary Responsibilities

• Help drive team performance by mentoring and developing a group of seven to eight designers.
• Supervise the creation of mechanical designs, BOMs, calculations, and formal reviews.
• Help ensure project milestones are met by overseeing schedules, budgets, and scope from concept to completion.
• Develop and implement standardized procedures for CAD, documentation, and engineering parts.
• Assist in the evaluation of technical feasibility and quoting for custom projects.
• Help optimize production outcomes by collaborating with manufacturing to improve design quality and cost-efficiency.
• Integrate mechanical designs with necessary automation and electrical components.
• Engage directly with clients to address technical requirements and project-specific solutions.

Organizational Structure

• This role reports directly to the VP of Operations.
• You will be responsible for the direct supervision of seven to eight design professionals.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Procurement, Sales, Quality, Production, and installation teams.
• This is a hands‑on management position requiring a deep understanding of the full manufacturing and engineering workflow.
• We are prioritizing an immediate start for this position.

Required Skills

• Solid background in mechanical design and manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead engineering teams and manage complex project priorities.
• Proficiency in CAD software such as Inventor, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA.
• Deep understanding of design for manufacturability and production methodologies.
• Experience in defining and maintaining technical documentation and engineering standards.
• Help minimize technical risk by proactively managing project budgets and timelines.
• Strong communication skills for effective customer‑facing technical decision‑making.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time, primarily for site visits during project initiation.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are seeking an engineering leader with a background in automation, custom machinery, or engineered manufacturing. The ideal individual maintains a hands‑on connection to design work while managing a team, effectively balancing project execution, technical design, compliance, and customer needs.

Daily Expectations

• Evaluate ongoing design tasks and set engineering priorities.
• Provide guidance to designers regarding project hurdles and technical challenges.
• Conduct thorough reviews of design decisions, calculations, drawings, and BOMs.
• Coordinate activities with sales, procurement, quality, and production departments.
• Participate in client meetings to support the development of custom solutions.
• Help maintain project health by monitoring deliverables, costs, and schedules.

Workflow Overview

Design leadership, team management, design reviews, project execution, manufacturing coordination, customer support, quoting, and standards validation.