Engineering Manager

Incendia Partners; West Haven (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Incendia Partners seeks an Engineering Manager to lead a small engineering team, guiding concept-to-production programs with discipline and structure. You will balance hands-on mechanical design with strategic execution, reporting to the President and collaborating across functions.

Responsibilities include developing a 6–12 month roadmap, ensuring clear ownership in Wrike, integrating AI tools, mentoring engineers, and driving ECO and product delivery on time.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in engineering management or senior technical leadership.
• Hands-on mechanical engineering experience.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (OnShape preferred).
• Experience using Wrike for project management and visibility.
• Active use of AI tools within engineering workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering function with direction, coordination, and accountability.
• Develop and communicate a 6–12-month engineering roadmap aligned with priorities.
• Guide product development from concept to production with structured phases and decision points.
• Maintain clear project visibility in Wrike with defined ownership, timelines, and deliverables.
• Integrate AI tools into engineering workflows where appropriate.
• Manage ambiguity through structured deliverables and decision timelines.
• Oversee ECO process in a structured, trackable way.
• Proactively communicate risks, progress, and milestones.
• Develop and mentor engineering talent.

Skills

Engineering management

Mechanical engineering

AI tooling in engineering

Project management

Decision making under uncertainty

Team mentorship

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

OnShape

Wrike

Job description

Our client, a privately held consumer goods manufacturer with several established product lines, is looking for an Engineering Manager to join its team. This role combines hands‑on engineering leadership with strategic direction. You will lead a small team of engineers and contractors while guiding projects from concept through production in a structured, organized way.

You will serve as the leader of the engineering function, responsible for aligning priorities, driving execution, supporting your team's development, and ensuring engineering contributes clearly and measurably to company goals.

This role sits on the company's management team (approximately 50-60 employees) and reports directly to the President, with a dotted line to the CEO.

The organization operates on EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), manages execution in Wrike, designs in OnShape, and actively integrates AI tools into its workflows to improve efficiency and clarity. Every role on the team carries meaningful responsibility, and collaboration across functions is essential to the company's success.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering function and provide direction, coordination, and accountability.
• Develop and communicate a 6–12-month engineering roadmap aligned with company priorities.
• Guide product development from concept to production with structured phases and decision points.
• Maintain clear project visibility in Wrike with defined ownership, timelines, and deliverables.
• Integrate AI tools into engineering workflows where appropriate.
• Manage ambiguity through structured deliverables and decision timelines.
• Oversee and manage the ECO process in a structured, trackable way.
• Proactively communicate risks, progress, and milestones.
• Develop and mentor engineering talent.

What Success Looks Like

• Engineering operates from a documented strategic plan aligned with company priorities.
• Projects move through defined stages with clear decision gates.
• Wrike reflects real-time status, risks, and timelines.
• AI-supported documentation improves clarity and speed of decision-making.
• Risks are identified early with mitigation plans.
• ECOs are organized and consistently managed.
• Development meetings are focused and action-oriented.
• Product launches stay on schedule or are communicated in advance with context.

What You Bring

• 5+ years in engineering management or senior technical leadership, ideally in a small or mid-size company.
• BS in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Hands-on mechanical engineering experience.
• Proficiency in modern CAD tools (OnShape preferred).
• Track record of delivering products in resource-conscious environments.
• Active use of AI tools within engineering workflows.
• Experience with project management systems (Wrike preferred).
• Comfort making informed decisions with incomplete information.
• Located within commuting distance of West Haven, CT.

Preferred Qualifications

• Consumer products or manufacturing experience.
• EOS experience.
• ECO and engineering change control experience.
• Intellectual property management familiarity.

How We Work

• EOS-driven organization with quarterly priorities and structured meetings.
• Wrike serves as the central execution platform.
• AI-forward mindset focused on practical outcomes.
• Direct, respectful communication.
• Collaborative team with shared accountability.
• Focus on steady progress and continuous improvement.