Engineering Manager

Donaldson; Greeneville (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Donaldson is seeking an Engineering Manager to drive manufacturing throughput, lead a high-performing engineering team, and deliver capital projects on schedule. The role demands onsite leadership at the Greeneville, TN facility and collaboration with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Supply Chain.

You will leverage Lean principles, TPM, and automation to reduce costs, improve uptime, and elevate product profitability across the plant.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Electrical, Automation Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven leadership experience managing engineering teams and technical projects.
• Demonstrated success improving manufacturing throughput, productivity, and operating costs.
• Experience managing capital projects, budgets, and equipment installations.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, Lean principles, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead initiatives to increase manufacturing throughput, eliminate bottlenecks, and improve production efficiency.
• Analyze processes, equipment utilization, and material flow to identify opportunities for increased capacity and productivity.
• Implement improvements that reduce cycle times, changeover times, scrap, and non-value-added activities.
• Partner with Operations and Maintenance to improve OEE, equipment reliability, and uptime.
• Develop and execute an automation strategy to improve throughput, productivity, quality, and costs.

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous improvement

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Oracle ERP

Job description

Donaldson is committed to solving the world’s most complex filtration challenges. Together, we make cool things. As an established technology and innovation leader, we are continuously evolving to meet the filtration needs of our changing world. Join a culture of collaboration and innovation that matters and a chance to learn, effect change, and make meaningful contributions at work and in communities.

We are looking for a proactive Engineering Manager who challenges existing processes, identifies opportunities for improvement, and translates technical solutions into measurable business results. The successful candidate will be comfortable working on the production floor, collaborating across departments, and developing long-term strategies that improve manufacturing efficiency. Our expectation is simple: leverage engineering expertise, innovation, and technology to increase throughput, reduce costs, and continuously improve our manufacturing operations. Qualified candidates must be able to work onsite schedule at our Greeneville, TN office/facility.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Throughput & Process Optimization

• Lead initiatives to increase manufacturing throughput, eliminate bottlenecks, and improve production efficiency.
• Analyze manufacturing processes, equipment utilization, and material flow to identify opportunities for increased capacity and productivity.
• Implement improvements that reduce cycle times, changeover times, scrap, and non-value-added activities.
• Partner with Operations and Maintenance to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), equipment reliability, and uptime.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies to drive sustainable operational improvements.

Cost Reduction & Productivity

• Develop and execute cost reduction initiatives that deliver measurable, sustainable financial improvements.
• Identify opportunities to reduce labor, material, scrap, maintenance, and other manufacturing expenses.
• Lead value engineering and process improvement projects that improve manufacturing efficiency and product profitability.
• Evaluate improvement opportunities using cost-benefit analysis, ROI, and operational performance data.
• Partner with Operations and Finance to establish cost reduction targets and validate realized savings.

Automation & Manufacturing Technology

• Develop and execute an automation strategy that improves throughput, productivity, quality, and manufacturing costs.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual operations through robotics, advanced controls, automated material handling, and other technologies.
• Lead the evaluation, justification, implementation, and commissioning of automation solutions.
• Collaborate with equipment suppliers, systems integrators, and internal technical resources to develop effective automation solutions.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend practical applications that improve manufacturing competitiveness.

Capital Planning & Project Execution

• Develop and maintain a rolling 2–3 year capital investment plan aligned with operational and strategic objectives.
• Lead capital projects from concept and financial justification through installation, commissioning, and performance validation.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, technical requirements, and external suppliers.
• Ensure capital investments achieve established performance expectations and financial returns.

Engineering Leadership & Operational Support

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of engineers and engineering technicians.
• Establish departmental priorities, performance expectations, and accountability for project execution.
• Provide technical leadership in resolving complex manufacturing and equipment challenges.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Supply Chain to improve plant performance.
• Support new product introductions, process development, equipment reliability, and manufacturing quality.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, teamwork, and results-driven execution.

Key Performance Expectations

Success in this role will be measured through:

• Throughput Improvements: Increased production output, reduced cycle times, and improved manufacturing capacity.
• Cost Reductions: Verified annual savings through productivity, process optimization, and engineering initiatives.
• Automation: Successful implementation of automation projects with measurable operational and financial benefits.
• Equipment Performance: Improved uptime, reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness.
• Capital Execution: On-time, on-budget projects that achieve expected financial and operational returns.
• Team Development: A capable, engaged engineering organization focused on execution and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Electrical, Automation Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven leadership experience managing engineering teams and technical projects.
• Demonstrated success improving manufacturing throughput, productivity, and operating costs.
• Experience managing capital projects, budgets, and equipment installations.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, Lean principles, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience implementing industrial automation, robotics, PLC controls, or advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Demonstrated success delivering significant cost reductions and manufacturing productivity improvements.
• Experience with equipment reliability, OEE, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM).
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification.
• Experience with Oracle or similar ERP systems.
• Experience working with automation integrators and equipment manufacturers.

Immigration Sponsorship Not Available:

• Applicants for this position must be currently and legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship (e.g., H-1B, J-1, F-1, CPT, OPT, etc.).

• Donaldson will not offer immigration sponsorship or assume sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.

• International relocation or remote work arrangements outside of the U.S. will not be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability and Veterans

Employment opportunities for positions in the United States may require use of information which is subject to the export control regulations of the United States. Hiring decisions for such positions are required by law to be made in compliance with these regulations. Applicants for employment opportunities in other countries must be able to meet the comparable export control requirements of that country and of the United States.

Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law.