Senior Director of Engineering - Product Development & Manufacturing

Sterling St James LLC; Franklin (WI); On-site; USD 105,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

Equity compensation

Job summary

Sterling St James LLC is seeking a Vice President of Engineering to lead product development and manufacturing in the Franklin, WI area. This executive role will own the engineering organization, guide R&D efforts, and optimize manufacturing and sourcing strategies to scale operations.

You will mentor cross-functional teams, drive end-to-end product development, and work closely with senior leadership on growth initiatives, performance metrics, and long-term incentives.

Qualifications

• Executive engineering leadership within a custom machinery or industrial manufacturing environment.
• Experience taking complex products from concept through manufacturing release.
• Strong foundation in mechanical engineering with exposure to fluid power and automated controls.
• Demonstrated skill in evaluating internal vs external sourcing decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and transform the Engineering Function with strategic priorities and accountability.
• Drive R&D and product development from concept to full production launch.
• Standardize processes, reviews, and workflows to improve schedules and reduce changes.
• Provide executive technical direction across mechanical design, fluid power, and PLC integration.
• Optimize internal vs external manufacturing capabilities for quality, cost and scalability.
• Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, and Sales to solve field challenges and improve manufacturability.

Skills

Executive leadership

R&D & product development

Mechanical design

Fluid power systems

PLC/controls integration

Sourcing & manufacturing

Hands-on leadership

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

PLC/Controls

Hydraulics & Pneumatics

Job description

Vice President of Engineering - Product Development & Manufacturing

Up to $150,000 Base Salary + Performance Bonus + Equity/Long-Term Incentive Greater Milwaukee Area (Franklin, WI)

• COMPENSATION: Up to $150,000 base salary + performance bonus + equity/long-term incentive plan (LTIP) designed to let key executives share in future enterprise value.
• WORK STRUCTURE: Full-Time, Permanent Executive Role | Primarily Onsite (Franklin, WI) | Limited Travel.
• WORK ENVIRONMENT: Rapidly expanding, well-established manufacturing leader in the Franklin / South Milwaukee area; collaborative, growth-focused executive team with zero corporate red tape.
• EXPERIENCE & TECH STACK: Proven executive engineering leadership; multi-project R&D and product development execution; heavy mechanical design; fluid power (hydraulics & pneumatics); PLC/controls integration; automated manufacturing systems; internal vs. external sourcing strategy.
• COMPANY STABILITY & CULTURE: Stable, high-growth manufacturer building a modernized executive bench; aggressive expansion mindset paired with high accountability, hands-on leadership, and deep employee development.
• REQUIREMENTS / COMPLIANCE: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (BSME, BSEE, or related) strongly preferred; stable career history with progressive leadership responsibility; local residence or willingness to relocate to the Greater Milwaukee, WI area.

If you are an accomplished engineering executive looking to step out of a rigid corporate bureaucracy and take full ownership of a growing engineering organization, this newly elevated Vice President of Engineering role offers an exceptional platform. Located in the Franklin / Greater Milwaukee area, this well-established, high-growth manufacturer is assembling an energetic leadership team focused on accelerating product development, scaling operations, and expanding market share.

This position goes far beyond traditional project oversight. As VP of Engineering, you will inherit an experienced technical team and serve as the driving force behind the department’s modernized mission - instilling structure, cross-functional discipline, and forward momentum. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with senior executive leadership, you will lead R&D efforts, optimize internal vs. external manufacturing capabilities, and mentor the next generation of technical talent. Backed by a high-visibility seat and a structured long-term incentive plan (LTIP), your leadership will directly shape the strategic and financial trajectory of the business.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• Lead & Transform the Engineering Function: Establish strategic departmental priorities, mentor engineering staff, instill operational discipline, and build a cohesive, accountability-driven culture.
• Accelerate R&D & Product Innovation: Drive new product development initiatives from initial concept through detailed engineering design, testing, prototype runoff, and full production launch.
• Standardize Engineering Processes: Implement robust systems, clear design reviews, and structured workflows to improve project timelines, reduce engineering change orders, and ensure flawless execution.
• Guide Advanced Technical Integration: Provide executive technical direction across mechanical design, structural fabrication, fluid power loops (hydraulics and pneumatics), and PLC/controls integration.
• Optimize Manufacturing & Sourcing Strategy: Evaluate internal production capabilities versus outside manufacturing resources to achieve optimal quality, cost efficiency, capacity, and scalability.
• Drive Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner seamlessly with Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, and Sales to solve complex field challenges, improve product manufacturability, and elevate overall customer satisfaction.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• Executive Engineering Leadership: Proven track record leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams (mechanical, electrical, R&D) within a custom machinery, heavy equipment, or industrial manufacturing environment.
• R&D & Product Development Depth: Success taking complex, high-engineered products from white-sheet concept through testing, manufacturing release, and commercial success.
• Core Technical Competencies: Strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles, with functional exposure to fluid power systems (hydraulics/pneumatics), electro-mechanical assemblies, and automated controls/PLC platforms.
• Strategic Sourcing & Manufacturing Aptitude: Demonstrated skill in evaluating internal shop capabilities and making data-driven internal vs. external sourcing decisions.
• Hands-On Leadership Style: A roll-up-your-sleeves, approachable manager who leads by example, instills a strong sense of urgency, and earns the respect of both shop-floor personnel and executive peers.
• Educational & Career Foundation: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (BSME, BSEE, or related discipline) strongly preferred; documented history of career stability and progressive leadership advancement.
• Specialized Industry Exposure (Bonus): Prior experience in railroad, heavy off-highway equipment, or specialized mobile machinery manufacturing is a distinct advantage.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Direct Enterprise Impact: Step into a newly elevated executive seat where your vision directly influences product direction, operational strategy, and revenue growth.
• Long-Term Financial Wealth Creation: Participate in a structured long-term incentive program (LTIP) built to reward executive leaders for the long-term value they help create.
• Agile, High-Growth Culture: Join an aggressive, growth-oriented leadership team free from corporate silos, where decision-making is fast, collaborative, and focused on results.