About UPF

United Plastic Fabricating (UPF) and Tideman Marine build custom polyethylene and polypropylene water tanks for the fire industry, along with products for the industrial, transportation, marine, and defense markets. We’re growing fast.

Position Summary

The Director of Engineering leads two of UPF’s four engineering groups: Manufacturing Engineering (including maintenance and facilities) and Advanced Engineering (R&D, materials, automation, robotics, and operational technology). You’ll turn the VP’s strategy into a working plan, lead the managers of each group, and make sure new technology moves cleanly into production. This role is built to grow: mentored by the VP of Engineering & Technology, you’ll take on more of the full engineering organization over time.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Manufacturing Engineering and Advanced Engineering managers and their teams.
• Turn engineering strategy into one plan for both groups, with clear owners and deadlines.
• Own the handoff from Advanced to Manufacturing Engineering so new equipment is maintainable.
• Build capital requests and business cases for VP approval.
• Set common engineering and maintenance standards across WI, FL, and MA.
• Drive uptime, reliability, and automation results, and report progress to the VP.
• Run the engineering project tracker and portfolio reviews across all four groups.
• Join quality, warranty, and print reviews to learn the full organization.
• Represent the VP on engineering decisions as responsibility is handed over.

What Success Looks Like

Within the first year: both groups on one plan, the Advanced Engineering manager hired, clean equipment handoffs, and you leading portfolio reviews. Over time: growing oversight of Quality and Print Production.

Our Values in This Role

We hire and lead by our PDCA values: Purpose, Doers, Curiosity, and Adaptable. Here, that means building leaders, not just projects.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s   in mechanical, electrical, or related engineering.
• 10+ years   in manufacturing engineering, 5+ leading teams.
• Has brought   automation or new equipment into production.
• Maintenance   and reliability program knowledge.
• Project and   budget management.
• Multi-site   leadership.

Preferred   Qualifications

• Master’s   degree or MBA.
• Robotics,   cobot, or automation program leadership.
• R&D or   new product development.
• Plastics,   fabrication, or marine experience.
• Lean, TPM,   or PE license.

Physical Requirements

These physical demands represent the requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation can be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office and production floor work with required PPE; lift up to 50 lbs; frequent travel between sites.

What We Offer

4-day work week (Monday–Thursday), paid time off, medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with employer match, student loan assistance, profit sharing, and an employee referral bonus.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the associate occupying this position. Associates will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

United Plastic Fabricating is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. This employer participates in E-Verify.