Senior Engineering Manager - Composites

NextPlay Jobs; Valdosta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm based in Georgia seeks a Senior Engineering Manager to lead and scale multidisciplinary engineering teams across Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Tooling. This is an ideal opportunity for a hands-on leader with over 10 years of experience and a proven track record in delivering complex engineering programs. Responsibilities include overseeing product lifecycle execution and building high-performing teams. The role requires strong background in composites and Agile methodologies.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in engineering.
• Strong background in composites and related industries.
• Proven leadership skills with engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage cross-functional engineering teams.
• Oversee development of complex systems and products.
• Implement Agile methodologies and best practices.

Skills

10+ years of experience

Composites Experience

Experience in Marine / Maritime, Aerospace / Defense, Energy

5+ years of experience leading engineering teams

Experience managing Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Tooling functions

Proven ability to operate in a startup or high-growth environment

Strong experience with Agile development methodologies

Track record of delivering complex engineering programs

Job description

We are happy to be partnering with a client seeking a Senior Engineering Manager to lead and scale multidisciplinary engineering teams across Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Tooling. This role is ideal for a hands‑on leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment and has a proven track record delivering complex engineering programs.

You will be responsible for driving execution across the full product lifecycle, from concept through production, while building high‑performing teams and establishing scalable processes.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and grow cross‑functional engineering teams
• Foster a high‑performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and innovation
• Partner with leadership to define engineering strategy and organizational structure

Product & Program Execution

• Oversee end‑to‑end development of complex systems and products
• Drive execution across engineering programs, ensuring timelines, quality, and cost targets are met
• Support transition from development to production

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Product, Operations, Supply Chain, and other key stakeholders
• Ensure alignment between engineering deliverables and business objectives
• Collaborate with external partners and vendors as needed

Operational Excellence

• Implement and scale Agile methodologies and engineering best practices
• Establish KPIs, reporting, and continuous improvement processes
• Optimize workflows to increase speed, efficiency, and quality

Manufacturing & Scaling

• Oversee manufacturing engineering and tooling strategies
• Drive design for manufacturability (DFM) and production readiness
• Support scaling efforts from prototype through full production

Must-Have Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience
• Composites Experience
• Experience in one or more of the following industries: Marine / Maritime, Aerospace / Defense, Energy
• 5+ years of experience leading engineering teams
• Experience managing Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Tooling functions
• Proven ability to operate effectively in a startup or high‑growth environment
• Strong experience with Agile development methodologies
• Track record of delivering complex, multidisciplinary engineering programs

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with complex hardware systems or integrated products
• Experience in marine, maritime, or similar industries.
• Background in highly regulated or technical industries
• Experience scaling products from concept to production
• Familiarity with cross‑functional systems integration