Lead Mechanical Engineer

Accelera; Paris (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Accelera is seeking a leader of engineering operations to oversee project execution and manufacturing enhancements within an aerospace production environment, reporting directly to the President.

You will head the engineering department and bridge complex technical specifications to the development of dependable, high-efficiency production workflows for new and existing product lines, with emphasis on safety, quality, and 6S excellence.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of manufacturing engineering experience.
• Expertise in CAD software and tooling design with a track record of lowering production costs.
• Strong project management, data analysis, and professional communication skills, including presentations; proficient in Excel and Word.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline preferred; collaborative mindset for managing multiple objectives.

Responsibilities

• Supervise engineering staff and balance timelines, resources, and deliverables.
• Collaborate with clients and vendors to align manufacturing needs with specifications.
• Manage engineering documentation, including specs, tooling designs, and revisions.
• Launch new products and maintain existing ones by mitigating supplier, process, and product risks.
• Investigate and implement advanced manufacturing equipment to streamline operations and reduce costs.
• Ensure deadlines for project quotes and 6S safety, quality, and excellence are met.

Skills

CAD software

Tooling design

Project management

Data analysis

Professional communication

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

As the leader of engineering operations, you will oversee project execution and manufacturing enhancements within an aerospace production environment. You will report directly to the President, taking charge of the engineering department while bridging the gap between complex technical specifications and the development of dependable, high-efficiency production workflows for new and existing product lines.

Core Responsibilities

• Supervise and provide mentorship to the engineering staff while effectively balancing project timelines, resource allocation, and final deliverables.
• Collaborate with external partners, including clients and vendors, to ensure manufacturing needs and technical specifications are perfectly synchronized.
• Manage the lifecycle of engineering documentation, which includes product specs, tooling designs, and necessary design revisions.
• Facilitate the launch of new products and the maintenance of current ones by identifying and mitigating risks related to suppliers, processes, and product integrity.
• Investigate and implement advanced manufacturing equipment and technologies to streamline operations and achieve meaningful cost savings.
• Ensure project and quoting deadlines are met to help the team achieve a 95% success rate on CNC, laser, weld, and product change requests while fostering a culture of safety, quality, and 6S excellence.

Required Qualifications

• Between seven and ten years of professional experience in a manufacturing engineering capacity.
• Expertise in CAD software and tooling design, demonstrated by a history of successfully lowering production costs.
• Advanced abilities in project management, data analysis, and professional communication, including technical presentations and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline is preferred, alongside a hands‑on, collaborative mindset that allows you to effectively navigate and prioritize multiple concurrent objectives.