Engineering Manager

Vanair®, a Lincoln Electric Company; Michigan City (IN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing firm is seeking an Engineering Manager to oversee product direction and manage engineering operations. The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of engineering experience, including 3 years in management. Responsibilities include strategic leadership, project management, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and quality support, with a focus on collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7+ years of engineering experience.
• At least 3 years in a leadership/management role.
• Strong background in product development.

Responsibilities

• Oversee product direction and prioritize engineering requests.
• Ensure completion of engineering requests with adherence to standards.
• Drive a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Communication Skills

Lean Methodologies

Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Overview

The Engineering Manager will work closely with the Business Unit Manager, Product Manager, and cross-functional teams to oversee product direction, prioritize engineering requests, and drive continuous improvement. This role requires a balance of technical expertise, leadership, and strong communication to ensure that engineering delivers high-quality solutions that add value to our customers and align with business priorities.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with the Business Unit Manager and Product Manager to align product direction with business goals
• Identify opportunities for product growth, quality improvement, and adoption of new technologies
• Create a culture of excellence, trust, and conscientious teamwork across departments

Request and Project Management

• Review and assign incoming requests (ERs, ETOs, Projects, RDRs) in a timely manner
• Evaluate legitimacy, business value, and effort required; minimize redundant work by consolidating similar requests
• Prioritize requests with the Business Unit Manager based on impact and ROI
• Approve and take accountability for team ERs using RAIC (Responsible, Accountable, Informed, Consulted)
• Ensure ER completion includes AutoECN checklist, drawing reviews (fit, form, function), and adherence to standards

Project Execution

• Jointly manage projects with the Business Unit Manager and Product Manager
• Filter and balance priorities across teams
• Adhere to project timelines and communicate roadblocks promptly
• Implement and follow structured communication plans
• Track ER time requirements and business financial impact
• Adopt and champion Six Sigma and Lean philosophies
• Lead Grey and Red Belt training sessions
• Facilitate A3 document problem-solving events
• Drive a culture where change is embraced as improvement
• Mentor, teach, and conduct timely performance reviews for team members
• Contribute to and evolve engineering best practices

Production Support

• Identify effective production liaisons and ensure success on the shop floor
• Take ownership of testing equipment and production test criteria
• Be open to ideas from production staff; encourage innovation at all levels
• Ensure production has clear communication channels to engineering liaisons
• Partner with Sales to ensure customer expectations are exceeded
• Provide engineering support for customer calls, training, and product education
• Respond constructively and promptly to inquiries, using every interaction as a teaching opportunity

Service & Quality Support

• Ensure manuals and instructions are accurate and timely
• Collaborate with Quality to resolve field failures and conduct root cause analysis
• Treat safety concerns with the utmost importance; utilize A3 documentation for safety issues
• Take ownership of customer issues and drive them to swift resolution

Technical Leadership

• Actively participate in engineering design, problem-solving, and innovation
• Review team deliverables for adherence to technical standards, best practices, and product requirements
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to less experienced engineers

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or related field)
• Minimum 7+ years of engineering experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership/management role
• Strong background in product development, project management, and cross-functional collaboration
• Experience with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies (certifications preferred)
• Excellent communication, leadership, and mentoring skills
• Ability to travel domestically 25-30% for training, field issues and to meet with customers

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Industrial Machinery Manufacturing