Director of Manufacturing Engineering

About the Role

Our client is seeking a strategic and hands-on Director, Manufacturing Equipment & Process Engineering to lead the development, deployment, and optimization of manufacturing processes, equipment, and automation solutions.

This role will be responsible for driving operational excellence across manufacturing operations, ensuring the successful delivery of quality, cost, productivity, and customer satisfaction objectives. The ideal candidate is a strong engineering leader with deep expertise in manufacturing technologies, process improvement, automation, and team leadership within a complex manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop high-performing Manufacturing Equipment & Process Engineering teams to support business growth and operational objectives.
• Drive manufacturing innovation through process optimization, automation, and equipment engineering initiatives.
• Oversee the development, qualifications, and deployment of manufacturing equipment and production processes for new and existing products.
• Champion DFM, DFA, and DFX strategies to deliver efficient, scalable, and cost-effective manufacturing solutions.
• Partner closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Customers to resolve manufacturing challenges and improve overall performance.
• Lead capital equipment and engineering projects, ensuring on-time execution, resource alignment, and strong ROI.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, yield, quality, OEE, and cost reduction.
• Build engineering capability through talent development, coaching, and technical leadership.
• Represent the organization in customer engagements and industry collaborations to support manufacturing excellence and technology advancement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline; Master's degree or MBA is an advantage.
• 15+ years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Equipment Engineering, Automation, or related fields.
• Proven leadership experience managing engineering teams in a high-volume or complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, automation systems, robotics, machine vision, industrial equipment, and process validation.
• Experience in NPI, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, DFM/DFA/DFX, and Operational Excellence.
• Strong project management, financial acumen, and experience managing CAPEX investments.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills with the ability to collaborate across functions and leadership levels.
• Experience within Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS), PCBA, high-tech, or advanced manufacturing environments is highly preferred.