Engineering Lead, Program ​/ Project Manager, Operations Manager

Engineering Team Lead – Strategic Projects

Salina, KS

Great Plains Manufacturing, a proud Kubota subsidiary, is seeking an experienced Engineering Team Lead to lead the Strategic Project Group in Salina, KS. The Engineering Team Lead – Strategic Project Group is responsible for leading a team of engineers focused on the development and execution of high-impact strategic initiatives within GPM. This role provides technical leadership, project oversight, and people management to ensure successful delivery of new products, technology advancements, cost optimization efforts, and business-critical engineering programs.

The ideal candidate combines strong engineering expertise with leadership skills, driving cross-functional collaboration to accelerate innovation, improve product performance, and support the company's long-term growth strategy.

This is an on-site position based in Salina, KS and typically works Monday through Thursday from 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Occasional out-of-state travel is required.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the Strategic Project Group in identifying, prioritizing, and executing engineering initiatives aligned with business objectives.
• Manage complex, cross-functional projects from concept through production implementation.
• Lead cost reduction and value engineering initiatives across the CE Attachments portfolio.
• Develop project plans, resource strategies, schedules, budgets, and risk mitigation plans.
• Drive technology development, product innovation, and competitive differentiation within the GPM product portfolio.
• Identify opportunities to reduce material, manufacturing, logistics, and warranty costs while maintaining or improving product quality and performance.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Sourcing teams to implement design-to-cost strategies.
• Drive standardization, component commonization, and product simplification efforts.
• Support make-versus-buy evaluations and strategic supplier engagement activities.
• Manage multiple engineering projects concurrently from concept through production, setting priorities, schedules, budgets, etc.
• Provide regular project status updates and recommendations to engineering and business leadership.
• Follow all Great Plains and OSHA safety regulations and wear prescribed safety and protective equipment.
• Other duties may be assigned that require additional qualifications, physical demands, and/or work environment.

Preferred Skills and

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree (BS) in Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural or Bio Systems Machinery Engineering, or related engineering discipline from a four-year college or university.
• 7+ years of engineering experience in construction equipment, heavy machinery, agricultural equipment, or related industries.
• 2+ years of supervisory or management experience leading cross-functional teams.
• Critical thinking to define projects and create critical project requirements.
• Proficient with CAD tools such as Creo, CATIA, Windchill and FEA applications.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex engineering projects.
• Able and willing to travel out of state for multiple days for defined projects.

Great Plains Manufacturing, headquartered in Salina, KS, is a proud subsidiary of Kubota with more than 50 years as a Kansas leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of agricultural implements, including seeding, tillage, and landscaping equipment. Our new Construction Equipment Division adds Kubota-branded skid steers, compact track loaders, and CE attachments, supported by Kubota Construction R&D Engineering in Salina. Operating in eight Kansas communities with five divisions—Great Plains Ag;
Land Pride;
Great Plains International;
Great Plains Trucking; and the Construction Equipment Division—we employ over 2,000 people and are committed to innovation and professional growth.