Engineering Manager

About

A privately held, U.S.-based manufacturer with global reach is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead and evolve its engineering function during a planned leadership transition. This organization designs and delivers highly engineered, custom, mission‑critical systems supporting demanding industrial and infrastructure-related applications.

This is a hands‑on leadership role for an engineering manager who excels at building structure, improving execution discipline, and driving accountability—while remaining technically involved.

The Opportunity

The business is entering its next phase of growth and engineering maturity. While the engineering function has strong technical capability, leadership is intentionally moving toward a more structured, process‑driven operating model designed to improve quality, consistency, and speed to execution.

You will have direct visibility with senior leadership, clear authority to modernize engineering workflows, and a mandate to raise execution standards across the organization.

Scope of Responsibility

This role owns engineering leadership and technical execution, including:

• Setting priorities, standards, and expectations across engineering activities
• Providing design oversight and technical decision support
• Strengthening collaboration with manufacturing and operations
• Developing engineering talent through coaching, clarity, and accountability
• Maintaining an active presence with production teams

This is an engaged player/coach role, not a removed or administrative management position.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish clear structure, ownership, and accountability within engineering
• Implement disciplined, repeatable engineering processes
• Improve document control, ERP usage, and part standardization
• Reduce errors and rework through stronger upfront engineering practices
• Drive adoption of engineering tools and digital workflows
• Partner closely with manufacturing leadership and remain shop‑floor engaged
• Serve as a visible leader who challenges assumptions and drives results

What They’re Looking For

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Structural strongly preferred)
• 5+ years of engineering leadership experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong ERP experience (Epicor highly preferred)
• Solid CAD background (SolidWorks and/or Tekla preferred)
• Comfort working directly with fabrication, assembly, and production teams
• Proven ability to lead change, introduce structure, and improve execution

Preferred

• Exposure to electrical systems or control panels
• Experience in custom, project‑based manufacturing environments
• Background leading engineers with varied experience and autonomy levels

Who This Role Fits Best

• An engineering leader who enjoys building structure and discipline
• Someone who balances technical credibility with people leadership
• A hands‑on manager who values visibility, urgency, and follow‑through
• A professional seeking an onsite role with real influence and long‑term impact

Compensation & Process

• Base Salary: $130,000–$160,000
• Bonus: Target 10%
• Work Model: Onsite (Southeast Wisconsin)
• Relocation: Considered selectively
• High‑touch, fast‑moving process focused on long‑term leadership fit

Why This Role Stands Out

• Privately held organization with long‑term thinking and strong values
• Direct access to senior leadership and decision makers
• Ability to meaningfully shape engineering culture and execution
• Planned transition with leadership continuity
• Financially stable business with continued investment in people and systems
• Opportunity to leave a visible, lasting operational impact