Director Hardware Engineering

Director, Hardware Engineering

Location:

Detroit MI or Green Bay WI

The Director, Hardware Engineering is a key member of the leadership team, responsible for setting and executing the strategic roadmap and lifecycle management of the hardware portfolio. This role leads a multidisciplinary engineering team to deliver innovative, reliable, and cost‑competitive solutions that drive sustainable growth. In close collaboration with Commercial, Software, Operations, and Supply Chain, the Director advances hardware design standards, modular architecture, and value engineering to improve manufacturability, scalability, and quality.

The role also develops talent and fosters a culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration, while shaping next-generation integrated wash systems that combine equipment, chemistry, and connected technologies to deliver superior customer outcomes.

• Lead integrated engineering functions, aligning market requirements, product strategy, and execution across all equipment platforms.
• Execute the long‑term product roadmap, balancing innovation, cost competitiveness, and operational efficiency while advancing modular design, standardization, and common component strategies.
• Drive portfolio governance and lifecycle management, including new product introductions, value engineering, cost reduction, and end‑of‑life strategies to optimize financial performance and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Commercial, Software, Operations, Supply Chain, and Service to translate customer insights, VOC, and competitive intelligence into product and engineering priorities that deliver measurable business impact.
• Champion product quality, reliability, and manufacturability, ensuring compliance with performance standards, regulatory requirements, and Dover operational excellence principles.
• Build and develop high‑performing teams and product management capabilities (people, processes, tools), fostering a culture of innovation and accountability, and serving as a strategic partner to leadership on business direction, investment prioritization, and technology strategy.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in engineering or technical leadership within industrial or manufacturing environments, including 8+ years in senior leadership roles managing cross‑functional or multi‑site teams.
• Proven track record of driving profitable growth through product strategy, portfolio optimization, and new product introduction in complex, global organizations.
• Strong technical expertise in mechanical, electrical, and control systems, with experience leading product development from concept through commercialization, including value engineering, supplier collaboration, and lifecycle cost management.
• Demonstrated success integrating engineering functions to deliver market‑leading solutions, accelerate development cycles, and enhance customer value propositions.
• Exceptional leadership, business acumen, and analytical skills, with the ability to develop talent, influence cross‑functional stakeholders, translate market insights into strategy, and drive results in a matrixed environment; experience in capital equipment, industrial automation, or connected systems preferred.

Salt is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.