Lead Debug Engineer (Not for Everyone!)

Steven Douglas Corporation; Kentucky; On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

401(k) employer match

Generous parental leave

Job summary

Steven Douglas Corporation in Kentucky is looking for a Lead Debug Engineer to take ownership of custom automated machines from power-up to customer acceptance. This high-pressure role demands strong technical judgment and effective communication to resolve mechanical and electrical issues swiftly.

The successful candidate will manage multiple project teams, lead Factory Acceptance Tests, and build a cohesive debug plan while supporting a competitive compensation model that includes bonuses based on project performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• Strong ownership mindset and accountability for machine outcomes.
• Sound technical judgment, with the ability to make quick decisions.

Responsibilities

• Own the machine from power-up through customer sign-off.
• Build and maintain a debug plan.
• Lead daily team coordination on the floor.
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical issues.
• Lead customer Factory Acceptance Tests.

Skills

Strong ownership mindset

Technical judgment

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Job description

Overview

At Steven Douglas Corp (SDC), we specialize in designing and building custom automated machines that serve a wide variety of applications and industries. Every project is unique, and every machine brings new technical challenges.

Let us be clear — this role is not for most people. If you need structure, comfort, or direction, this is not your role. This is a role you take because you think you can do something that most people cannot. This is ownership under pressure. This is a high leverage – high reward position. You want a challenge and you want the opportunity to be one of the key players in the company. You are driven by success and want the opportunity to be rewarded more than the people that don’t want the pressure or the expectations.

Machine Testing and Debug is the least predictable phase of any first time build custom project. Machines do not cooperate on schedule, vendors miss, designs need re-work, software needs revamped. None of that is your excuse — it is your environment. The Lead Debug Engineer is the person who thrives in that environment, builds a plan, and executes it.

In this role, you are responsible for getting a custom automated machine from power-up to customer acceptance. You are responsible for looking at issues and quickly determining how to solve them correctly. You are never allowed to use excuses. You are the decision-maker, the leader and champion working with the managerial team, directing the team of engineers, and working alongside the Project Managers.

Do not apply if you are not up for the challenge. We want someone that knows what you’re getting into — and signs up anyway.

Why Join SDC?

• Innovative Machine Design: At SDC, your primary focus will be end-process analysis into detailed, functional machine concepts that align with customer requirements.
• Collaborative Environment: Work closely with our sales, project management, and engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of design and execution.
• Family-Owned Culture: Experience a supportive and agile environment that values technical excellence and personal growth.

What You’ll Do:

• Own the machine from power-up through customer sign-off, including planning, technical execution, and final quality validation.
• Build and maintain the debug plan — scope, sequence, daily priorities, and open-items log updated in real time.
• Manage multiple different project teams at one time, keeping multiple projects on schedule.
• Lead daily team coordination on the floor, providing clear directions to engineers and technicians.
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, and controls issues.
• Validate machine quality before Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) — every function, every safety parameter, every spec.
• Lead customer FAT, manage the agenda, run the process, and close acceptance.
• Escalate blockers early to pull resources from project managers and department leads as needed.
• Communicate schedule status and risks proactively to the Project Manager — no surprises.

Requirements

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• Strong ownership mindset and accountability for machine outcomes.
• Ultra-competitive mindset.
• Sound technical judgment, with the ability to make decisions quickly using incomplete information.
• Composure under pressure; sets a steady tone for the team.
• Root-cause problem-solving across mechanical, electrical, and controls systems.
• Clear communication across engineers, technicians, project managers, and customers.
• Ability to modify mechanical designs and influence PLC logic to resolve issues found on the floor.
• Ability and willingness to travel to support projects, up to 10%.

What We Offer:

Compensation:

The Lead Debug Engineer receives base pay plus a project-based bonus tied to margin performance. The bonus amount is defined per project based on size and complexity and is communicated by the manager before the engineer is designated for the role — so you know what you are playing for before the project starts.

If successful, SDC is committed to significant compensation:

Project Outcome Debug Lead Bonus

Hits or beats margin target Bonus paid — defined per project

Misses margin target No bonus — base pay unaffected

Base pay is never at risk; the bonus is upside-earned by protecting margin and hitting the plan. Engineers who consistently perform in this role are among the highest-paid individual contributors at SDC.

At SDC, we believe in taking care of our team both professionally and personally. We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Competitive pay based upon expertise and contributions.
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, with additional supplemental insurance options available.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and 10 company-paid holidays to support work-life balance.
• A 4% employer match to a 401(k) each pay period.
• Generous parental leave, and a company sponsored Employee Assistance Program.

Steven Douglas Corp is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and innovative workplace. www.sdcautomation.com