Mechanical Engineering and Design Manager

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for an engineering professional who enjoys developing people, solving complex design challenges, and seeing custom products move from concept to production.  Lead a team of five mechanical engineers and two designers who develop custom packaging and transportation solutions, primarily for the aerospace, defense, and medical industries. This hands-on role guides the design process, develops the team, and works closely with Sales, Operations, and Production to move projects from customer requirements through manufacturing. The position also performs mechanical engineering work as needed, with a focus on balancing customer requirements, manufacturability, schedule, quality, and cost. 

Essential Responsibilities

Lead and develop the team

• Lead, coach, and develop a collaborative team of five engineers and two designers. 
• Set priorities and track projects through the full design and manufacturing cycle, ensuring custom solutions are delivered on time and successfully implemented. 
• Hold regular one-on-one meetings, provide timely feedback, and conduct annual performance reviews. 
• Help the team work through technical challenges, competing priorities, and workplace concerns. 
• Improve processes, workflows, and use of engineering tools to increase efficiency and make the best use of the team’s strengths. 
• Provide engineering input for project estimates and customer discussions when technical expertise is needed. 
• Identify practical improvements to engineering processes, tools, and workflows. 

Deliver practical, customer-focused solutions

• Lead the development of custom packaging and transportation solutions for customers in industries such as biomedical, aerospace, and defense. 
• Perform mechanical engineering and design work as needed based on project demands and team capacity. 
• Coordinate with Sales, Operations, and Production to move projects efficiently from concept through manufacturing. 
•  Establish project priorities, assign work, monitor progress, and help the team meet customer and production commitments.
• Review customer requirements, design concepts, engineering drawings, and production documentation. 
• Help resolve technical challenges involving design, materials, manufacturability, cost, and schedule.

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Two to three years of engineering leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, or comparable experience.
• Experience coaching technical team members, setting priorities, and monitoring project performance.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks and working knowledge of CAD-based design processes.
• Knowledge of design for manufacturability, engineering drawings, bills of materials, and assembly documentation.
• Working knowledge of GD&T, machining, fabrication, and common manufacturing processes.
• Ability to balance technical requirements, manufacturability, schedule, quality, and cost.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and adjust priorities as business needs change.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to collaborate with customers and cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

 Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SolidWorks Simulation. 
• Experience designing custom packaging, fixtures, material-handling equipment, or transportation solutions. 
• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, medical, or other regulated industries. 
• Familiarity with AutoCAD Mechanical.

Education and Experience Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field. 
• Two to three years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, or comparable experience. 
• Working knowledge of SolidWorks and AutoCAD, machining processes, and fabrication techniques.