Engineering Manager
SkyWater Search is partnering with a long-standing manufacturing client on a Engineering Manager search in the northwest metro. This individual will provide leadership across engineering, manufacturing engineering, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives while serving as a key member of the site’s leadership team. The position offers a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on operational involvement, with responsibility for driving process improvements, operational excellence initiatives, automation strategy, and team development.
Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team including manufacturing engineering, automation, and technical support functions.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, productivity, cost reduction, and operational efficiency.
- Champion Lean manufacturing principles and operational excellence throughout the organization.
- Lead cross-functional improvement projects including Kaizen events, value stream mapping, and root cause analysis efforts.
- Partner closely with operations, quality, and leadership teams to improve manufacturing processes and business performance.
- Develop and implement engineering standards, processes, and best practices.
- Support automation and digital transformation initiatives to improve scalability and repeatability.
- Provide technical leadership for customer-facing discussions, DFM activities, and process improvement initiatives.
- Support capital equipment planning, facility expansion efforts, and strategic growth initiatives.
- Manage departmental budgets, staffing plans, and employee development activities.
Desired Skills and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline; equivalent experience considered.
- 5+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Lean Six Sigma certification or demonstrated application of Lean methodologies.
- Experience in precision manufacturing, machining, or medical device manufacturing environments.
- Prior experience leading engineering teams and mentoring technical staff.
- Strong background in Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and change management initiatives.
- Experience working cross-functionally with operations, quality, and leadership teams.
- Understanding of manufacturing processes, automation, and process optimization.
- Experience operating within regulated or quality-driven manufacturing environments preferred.
- Working knowledge of CAD/CAM systems and engineering documentation practices.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence across all levels of an organization.
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