Lead Engineer (Equipment Manufacturing)

Friday Workforce Solutions; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Friday Workforce Solutions is seeking a Lead Engineer to serve as the technical leader of the engineering function. The role oversees design, testing, documentation, release, and manufacturing support for our products and production systems, while directing the Engineering Associate and other staff.

The Lead Engineer acts as the primary escalation point for advanced technical issues from customers and manufacturing, and collaborates with the executive team to translate priorities into actionable

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, agricultural, or manufacturing engineering.
• 5+ years of relevant engineering experience with mechanical products or machinery.
• Experience taking mechanical products from concept through design, testing, documentation, release, and production support.
• Proficiency with CAD platforms such as Solid Edge, SolidWorks, or Autodesk Inventor.
• Ability to lead and develop less-experienced technical staff and manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, testing, documentation, release, and manufacturing support for products and production systems.
• Direct and review work of the Engineering Associate and other personnel.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for advanced technical issues from customers and manufacturing.
• Regularly collaborate with the executive team to translate priorities into actionable engineering plans and report progress, risks, and resource needs.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Prioritization

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/agricultural/manufacturing engineering

Tools

Solid Edge

SolidWorks

Autodesk Inventor

Job description

The Lead Engineer is the working technical leader for the engineering function. The role is accountable for the design, testing, documentation, release, manufacturing support, and continuous improvement of the company’s products and related production systems. The Lead Engineer personally performs the department’s most complex engineering work and directs, reviews, or supervises work performed by the Engineering Associate and other assigned personnel.

The Lead Engineer serves as the primary escalation point for advanced technical issues from customers and manufacturing. The position also meets regularly with the executive team to help establish corporate strategy, translate priorities into executable engineering plans, and report progress, risks, resource needs, and results.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, agricultural engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Approximately five or more years of relevant engineering experience involving mechanical products, machinery, manufacturing, or comparable equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to take mechanical products from concept through design, testing, documentation, release, and production support.
• Strong proficiency with a 3-D CAD platform such as Solid Edge, SolidWorks, or Autodesk Inventor, including production-ready drawings and assemblies.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, tolerancing, bills of materials, engineering change control, measurement tools, and structured problem-solving.
• Ability to lead and develop less-experienced technical employees, delegate effectively, review work, and remain accountable for department output.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical issues to executives, customers, and manufacturing personnel.
• Sound judgment, organization, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a hands‑on manufacturing environment.

Success Measures

• Engineering projects meet agreed scope, schedule, quality, cost, and documentation expectations.
• Released designs and changes are accurate, manufacturable, traceable, and supported by appropriate testing and documentation.
• Manufacturing and customer escalations receive timely, technically sound resolution and effective follow-through.
• The Engineering Associate develops increasing capability and ownership while receiving appropriate direction and review.
• Executive priorities are converted into visible engineering plans, risks are escalated early, and commitments are managed reliably.