Supervisor Mechanical Design

Vaco; Birmingham (AL); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring is seeking a Supervisor, Mechanical Design in Montreal, QC to lead a section of the engineering department and develop a skilled team for successful project execution. You will oversee staffing, performance, and continuous improvement while supporting engineering processes and technical initiatives.

The role emphasizes people leadership, collaboration with manufacturing, audits, and strategic support for product development and roadmaps, with a focus on safety and regulatory

Job description

Supervisor, Mechanical Design

Location: Montreal, QC

Employment Type: Permanent

Work Arrangement: Hybrid - 4 days onsite, Friday remote

Language: Bilingual French/English, with stronger French proficiency preferred

Clearance: Reliability and CGP clearance required; must be eligible for Secret clearance

About the Role

We are looking for a Supervisor, Mechanical Design to join the engineering leadership team. This position will lead a section of a large engineering department, with responsibility for developing and maintaining a skilled workforce to support the successful execution and delivery of engineering projects and products.

The successful candidate will provide people leadership while supporting resource planning, employee development, continuous improvement, engineering processes, and technical initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

People & Resource Management

• Recruit, assign, direct, and evaluate team members.
• Manage employee performance, including 1:1 meetings, performance reviews, goal setting, coaching, and career development.
• Develop team capabilities and maintain succession plans for critical skills.
• Support staffing requirements for current and future programs and projects.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and people-focused work environment.
• Manage engineering resources, facilities, processes, and tools.
• Support departmental budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning.
• Ensure compliance with applicable policies and collective agreements.

Technical Leadership

• Participate in or lead Technical Overview Board (TOB) meetings.
• Promote Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles.
• Lead or support technical troubleshooting and problem-solving activities.
• Provide technical support for Manufacturing Review Boards (MRBs) and customer inquiries.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Capture and communicate lessons learned across the organization.

Process Improvement

• Ensure team adherence to company policies, procedures, and engineering standards.
• Support the development and maintenance of department-specific processes, work instructions, and standards.
• Lead or participate in business process improvement (BPI) and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support the adoption of modern engineering tools, technologies, and practices.
• Ensure Health & Safety procedures and requirements are followed.

Business & Strategic Support

• Participate in proposal and business development activities.
• Support product development and R&D initiatives.
• Contribute to technology roadmaps and engineering modernization initiatives.
• Support subcontractor management and small project initiatives.
• Contribute to negotiations, risk management, and other departmental activities as required.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in engineering and/or manufacturing.
• Engineering or related degree; Bachelor's degree or higher preferred.
• Demonstrated people leadership, conflict resolution, communication, and team management skills.
• Experience managing employee performance, including KPIs, 1:1s, performance reviews, timesheets, coaching, motivation, and career development.
• Strong interest in developing expertise in resource management, negotiations, risk management, and financial reporting.
• Strong strategic and problem-solving mindset.
• Bilingual in French and English, with stronger French proficiency preferred.
• Must be eligible to obtain the required security clearances.

Preferred Qualifications

• Mechanical Engineering background.
• Experience in mechanical design, engineering, or manufacturing environments.
• Experience in the aerospace, space, defense, or other highly regulated industries is an asset.
• Familiarity with engineering design and project management tools.
• Experience with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong strategic and business-oriented mindset.

EEO Notice

Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail].

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.