Vice President of Engineering – Product Development & Manufacturing

Keystone Distinction Group; Franklin, Northern (WI, KY); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Distinction Group in Franklin, WI, seeks a Vice President of Engineering to lead product development and manufacturing. This executive role oversees R&D, design, and scalable production initiatives, with ownership of technical strategy and team performance.

You will drive cross-functional collaboration, optimize sourcing and manufacturing capabilities, and mentor a growing engineering organization in a high-growth manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Executive engineering leadership experience.
• Proven multi-project R&D and product development execution.
• Heavy mechanical design experience with fluid power systems.
• PLC/controls integration and automated manufacturing experience.
• Willingness to relocate to Greater Milwaukee, WI area.

Responsibilities

• Lead and transform the Engineering function with strategic priorities and accountability.
• Drive R&D and product innovation from concept through production.
• Standardize engineering processes and workflows to improve timelines and reduce changes.
• Guide advanced technical integration across mechanical design, hydraulics/pneumatics, and PLCs.
• Optimize manufacturing and sourcing to balance quality, cost, and capacity.

Skills

Executive leadership

R&D & product development

Mechanical design

Hydraulics & pneumatics

PLC/controls integration

Automation manufacturing systems

Sourcing strategy

Education

Engineering degree (BSME/BSEE)

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.