Director, Operations Engineering

Director of Engineering

The Director of Engineering is a key member of the Life Sciences Operations leadership team, responsible for defining and executing the engineering strategy across multiple manufacturing sites. This role ensures the delivery of scalable, high-quality engineering solutions that enable business growth, operational excellence, and product innovation.

The Director leads cross-functional alignment between Engineering, Operations, R&D, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to translate business priorities into executable plans. This role drives engineering standardization, optimizes resource utilization, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation.

Enterprise Engineering Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for engineering activities across multiple manufacturing locations, ensuring alignment with business objectives and operational priorities.
• Standardize engineering processes and deliverables across engineer-to-order and design-to-order environments.

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Develop and execute multi-site engineering strategies, including in-sourcing, product transfers, capacity optimization, and manufacturing footprint initiatives.
• Drive alignment of engineering resources to support both current product support and new product development priorities.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with R&D to accelerate new product introductions through effective resource planning and prioritization.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Commercial teams to prioritize and execute product lifecycle and sustaining engineering initiatives.
• Support Operations leadership in optimizing manufacturing processes, test methods, and production systems.

Program & Portfolio Management

• Lead prioritization, execution, and delivery of engineering programs, ensuring adherence to scope, timelines, and cost targets.
• Identify risks, dependencies, and mitigation strategies, proactively communicating to leadership.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Champion LEAN methodologies and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, efficiency, and cost performance.
• Drive standard work, metrics, and accountability across engineering teams.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Build, lead, and develop high-performing engineering teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Provide coaching, performance feedback, and succession planning to strengthen organizational capability.

Financial Management

• Own and manage the engineering operating budget ($5–7M), ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and financial targets.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Biomedical, Chemical Engineering, or related field
• Minimum 10 years of progressive engineering experience within a manufacturing environment
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing teams or functions
• Experience in capital equipment and/or consumable products industries (e.g., medical device, aerospace, defense, industrial equipment)
• Demonstrated track record leading engineering strategy across multiple sites or complex operations
• Strong program and project management capabilities, including new product introduction (NPI) and manufacturing transfers
• Experience with LEAN manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
• Experience evaluating and implementing capital equipment investments

Preferred:

• Masters in Engineering Discipline, MBA
• Experience in more than one of the following functional areas:
  Operations, Supply Chain, Quality
• PMP certification

Other:

• Proven ability to lead and influence cross-functional, matrixed teams at senior levels
• Strong business acumen with demonstrated capability to make data-driven decisions
• Exceptional communication skills (executive presentations, stakeholder engagement, customer interaction)
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated track record of driving operational improvements in quality, cost, and delivery
• High level of personal accountability, integrity, and leadership presence

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