VP of Engineering — Systems & Hardware Innovation Leader

Kaney Inc.; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaney Inc. seeks a VP of Engineering to oversee systems, electrical, mechanical, firmware, software and test domains, driving innovation and operational excellence across the full product lifecycle.

The role requires deep technical breadth, proven leadership, and the ability to deliver high-reliability products from concept through production. You will mentor teams, manage budgets, and align roadmaps with corporate strategy and customer needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, Software, or related field).
• Minimum 15 years of engineering experience, including 7+ years in senior leadership roles.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams developing complex hardware and software systems.
• Strong understanding of product development processes for high-reliability aerospace, defense, or medical systems.
• Experience with systems engineering, requirements decomposition, verification/validation, and configuration management.
• Proven track record delivering products from concept through production.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively across teams and influence at all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with engineering tools, documentation systems, and program management methodologies

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all engineering disciplines across Kaney's product lines.
• Develop and execute engineering roadmaps aligned with corporate strategy, customer needs, and emerging technologies.
• Champion innovation in areas such as linear and rotary electromechanical actuation and ball screw technology.
• Oversee the full engineering lifecycle, including concept development, architecture, design, analysis, prototyping, verification, qualification, and transition to manufacturing.
• Establish and maintain engineering best practices, design standards, documentation processes, and quality systems.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with product management, operations, supply chain, manufacturing, and executive leadership.
• Ensure engineering programs meet performance, schedule, cost, and compliance requirements.
• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing engineering teams and leaders.
• Manage engineering budgets, resource allocation, staffing plans, and organizational structure.
• Support customer engagements, proposals, technical reviews, and program strategy as a senior technical authority.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

Jira

Model-based design

Digital engineering

DFM/DFA

Job description

Kaney Inc. seeks a VP of Engineering to oversee systems, electrical, mechanical, firmware, software and test domains, driving innovation and operational excellence across the full product lifecycle.

The role requires deep technical breadth, proven leadership, and the ability to deliver high-reliability products from concept through production. You will mentor teams, manage budgets, and align roadmaps with corporate strategy and customer needs.