Director Of Manufacturing

Director of Manufacturing Engineering

This role leads a multi-functional manufacturing engineering organization with a strong focus on people leadership, team development, and operational excellence. The Director of Manufacturing Engineering builds and develops a team of engineers and technicians, sets the strategic direction for the department, and drives performance across all manufacturing engineering operations, including oversight of a small machine shop and tooling function. The position requires a leader who balances technical credibility with strong coaching, business acumen, and the ability to structure, develop, and align the team to meet production, quality, and strategic business goals in a highly regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a manufacturing engineering team of approximately 15 employees, including manufacturing engineers, tooling and machine shop personnel, technicians, and an additional open role.
• Allocate engineering resources effectively and prioritize work across multiple programs to meet production and customer demands.
• Drive team performance by setting clear expectations, creating accountability, and building capability within the organization.
• Establish the vision, structure, and operating rhythm for the manufacturing engineering department to support both near-term production needs and long-term strategic objectives.
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams, including production and other business functions, to support customer needs in a regulated, quality-driven environment.
• Oversee capital planning activities and contribute to broader business strategy, ensuring investments support operational and strategic goals.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives and process optimization efforts, leveraging lean and Six Sigma methodologies where appropriate.
• Develop, maintain, and regularly update a skills matrix for the team, and create talent development plans to support growth and succession.
• Build, coach, and develop team members by assessing strengths and weaknesses, providing feedback, and aligning roles to maximize effectiveness.
• Set direction with confidence, make timely decisions, and lead through others rather than acting as a hands-on individual contributor.
• Create a collaborative, high-performance culture that emphasizes urgency, ownership, and accountability in a fast-paced environment.
• Own the manufacturing engineering function end-to-end, making informed decisions without excessive reliance on executive validation.
• Apply strong root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies to address production and quality issues.
• Manage project budgets and ensure resources are used effectively to support manufacturing and business objectives.

Essential Skills

• 3–5+ years of strong people leadership experience managing teams in an engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Manufacturing engineering background in a regulated, quality-driven environment such as aerospace, defense, or other compliance-focused industries.
• Proven ability to perform root cause analysis and implement effective corrective actions.
• Solid business acumen, including experience with capital planning and big-picture strategic thinking.
• Demonstrated experience allocating resources and leading through others rather than acting as a hands-on individual contributor.
• Experience working within aerospace, defense, or similarly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (required).
• Approximately 8–10 years of engineering experience with clear progression into leadership roles.
• Industry experience in highly regulated, compliance-driven environments with a strong focus on quality and process control.
• Demonstrated job stability and a track record of long-term impact in prior roles.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence, set direction, and drive decision-making.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment while maintaining a high level of urgency and ownership.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering or a related field (preferred).
• Composites manufacturing experience.
• Aerospace or advanced manufacturing background; medical device experience is also considered relevant.
• Lean and continuous improvement expertise, with Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred.
• Familiarity with CAD tools such as Solid Works, NX, or CATIA.
• Experience using basic statistical tools, such as Minitab, for data analysis and process improvement.
• Leadership development experience, including coaching and mentoring engineering and technical staff.
• Experience managing project budgets and supporting broader business strategy in an engineering context.

Work Environment

The role operates within a fast-paced, highly regulated manufacturing environment that emphasizes quality, compliance, and continuous improvement. The Director leads a multi-functional engineering…