Engineering Manager

OPTO International, Inc.; Wood Dale (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

OPTO International, Inc. is seeking an Engineering Manager to oversee daily engineering activities and mentor a design-led team. You will assign and review custom projects, ensure modular design, and collaborate with multiple departments to deliver cost-effective solutions.

You will guide manufacturing-ready designs, manage 3D CAD models and BOMs, and interface with internal and external partners to optimize cost and quality across wood and metal products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or design.
• 8+ years engineering or manufacturing experience in wood/metals.
• Expertise with multi-materials (wood, metal, plastics, glass).
• Proficient in 3D CAD and BOM creation for ERP.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day engineering, estimating, and order entry.
• Guide the team to design for manufacturability with modular methods.
• Collaborate daily with sales and other departments for custom products.
• Oversee product enhancements and support new development.
• Create 3D models, drawings, BOMs, and cost estimates.
• Interface with internal and sub-contract manufacturers for cost and quality.
• Maintain standards and guidelines for design and development.

Skills

8+ years experience

3D CAD modeling

Mentoring / coaching

Problem solving

Multi-materials knowledge

Manufacturing leadership

Strong collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or design

Tools

Solid modeling software

ERP / BOM systems

Job description

OPTO is a fast-paced, constantly-growing retail store fixture manufacturing company. We believe in relentlessly communicating, both internally and to our customers, in an effort to constantly improve ourselves. We are obsessively focused on helping our clients be successful, which in turn makes us successful.

OPTO employs joined-up, responsive, and adaptive people who work hard as a tight team. We have first class-marketing and a design-led customer sales interface focused on fully understanding and guiding each customer to be successful through the purchase of our product. The product itself is high-quality, customizable, durable, and built from inventory-based components. This gives us industry-leading speed and reliability in execution, which in turn gives our customers the confidence to make us business partners for years to come.

Job Summary:

The Engineering Manager is responsible for managing the day to day activities of the engineering team. They will be responsible for assigning & reviewing custom development projects to the team based on complexity and time frames. They guide and mentor the team to ensure any custom projects are developed using OPTO’s standard modular design and construction methods to provide our customers with flexible and cost-effective solutions. They will also be collaborating daily with other departments to troubleshoot issues and provide collaborative solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage engineering, estimating, and order entry
• Work in collaboration with the sales team for the development of client driven custom product.
• Oversee existing product enhancement & expansion
• Support the new product development team as needed
• Maintain standards, procedures, and guidelines for all design & development
• Responsible for ensuring team is designing product for optimal manufacturing techniques and capabilities
• Critical eye for design aesthetic as well function
• Manage the creation of 3-D models and drawings for production and clients
• Interface with in-house manufacturing for processes to provide best quality and cost
• Interface with sub-contract manufacturers on design to produce best quality and cost
• Design in 3D CAD and cost estimate projects when needed
• Create, maintain BOM’s and costings when needed
• Source new materials and processes as required
• Special projects as required

Required Technical Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or design
• 8+ years experience as an engineer or in a wood or metal manufacturing environment
• Extensive knowledge of multi-materials including wood, metal, plastics, glass, etc.
• Proficiency working with 3D Solid Modeling
• Experience with Bill of Material creation & structure for ERP software
• Strong teaching and mentoring skills
• Able to manage fast-paced environment and guide the team to profitable solutions
• Ability to problem-solve quickly and effectively

Required Personal Skills:

• Ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and effectively across multiple departments
• Confidently interact with customers, peers, and cross-functional teams
• Ability to work successfully in a team environment

Mental/physical requirements:

This position will be performed in an office setting. The position will require the employee to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers. Some travel required.

Equal employment opportunity policy:

OPTO is an equal opportunity employer. OPTO prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Accessibility accommodation statement:

OPTO is committed to providing qualified individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their jobs. Additionally, if you (or another applicant of whom you are aware) require assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise seek assistance in the application process, please contact us!