Engineering Manager

Civic Minds; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Minds, based in Peoria, IL, seeks an Engineering Manager to provide strategic technical leadership for its engineering function. The role emphasizes standard setting, innovative product design, and autonomous execution across projects.

You will lead a high-performing team, coordinate with production and sales for manufacturability, and drive continuous improvement while engaging customers to define requirements and specifications. Domestic and international travel may be required.

Qualifications

• PE license or actively pursuing licensure.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 7+ years engineering experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Proficiency in 2D/3D modeling software (AutoCAD, Inventor).
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams.
• Track record of delivering technical projects with minimal supervision.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication across technical and executive audiences.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain engineering design standards, procedures, and performance expectations for all products.
• Direct and oversee engineering personnel, ensuring project objectives are achieved within defined timelines and technical requirements.
• Engage directly with customers to define equipment needs, performance parameters, and product specifications.
• Lead development of customized and innovative product solutions that align with customer and organizational objectives.
• Ensure alignment between engineering, production, and sales teams to maintain manufacturability, functionality, and cost efficiency.
• Oversee product modification initiatives and continuous improvement programs integrating emerging technologies.
• Develop and maintain systems to manage project tracking, design review, and quality assurance.
• Exercise independent judgment on complex technical matters and risk decisions.
• Represent professionally in client, vendor, and industry interactions.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop engineering talent, fostering accountability and professional growth.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Project management

Team building

2D/3D modeling

AutoCAD

Autodesk Inventor

Technical communication

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license or active pursuit

Tools

AutoCAD

Autodesk Inventor

Job description

Position: Engineering Manager

Location: Peoria, IL
Type: Full-time | On-site

Position Summary
The Engineering Manager provides strategic and technical leadership for engineering function. This role is responsible for establishing engineering standards, driving innovation in product design, and ensuring effective execution of engineering deliverables across all projects. The position requires an individual who is proactive, analytical, and confident in decision-making, capable of operating with a high degree of autonomy and minimal administrative constraint. The successful candidate will possess strong strategic foresight, a measured entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to translate vision into actionable plans and systems that enable efficient execution by others.
Key Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain engineering design standards, procedures, and performance expectations for all products.
• Direct and oversee engineering personnel, ensuring project objectives are achieved within defined timelines and technical requirements.
• Engage directly with customers to define equipment needs, performance parameters, and product specifications.
• Lead development of customized and innovative product solutions that align with customer and organizational objectives.
• Ensure alignment between engineering, production, and sales teams to maintain manufacturability, functionality, and cost efficiency.
• Oversee product modification initiatives and continuous improvement programs integrating emerging technologies.
• Develop and maintain systems to manage project tracking, design review, and quality assurance.
• Exercise independent judgment on complex technical matters and risk decisions.
• Represent professionally in client, vendor, and industry interactions.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop engineering talent, fostering accountability and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license or active pursuit required.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of engineering experience including leadership responsibility.
• Proficiency in 2D/3D modeling software such as AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage high-performing teams.
• Proven success leading technical projects with limited supervision.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication across technical and executive audiences.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.