Engineering Manager

Sky Water Search is partnering with a long-standing manufacturing client on an 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.

• 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.

• 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.