Director of Engineering

Director of Engineering (Technology Group Division Manager) Position Summary

The Technology Group Division Manager will be responsible for overseeing the integration and management of the Product Development & Design, Materials Analysis, Quality Management, and Process Engineering teams within the ACO US Technology Group. This role will lead, own, and administer new product development initiatives, innovation processes, quality assurance, and process optimization from concept through to commercialization. The manager will modernize product development capabilities, ensure the highest standards of quality, and drive process efficiency. Additionally, the manager will work closely with customers and various internal stakeholders to identify new product innovations and improvements, resulting in mutually beneficial solutions. The Technology Group Division Manager will develop and lead a collaborative, capable, and accountable team, ensuring readiness to meet strategic business needs and positioning the business at the forefront of our industry.

Essential Duties and Functions:

• Leadership and Strategy:
• Develop and lead the business’s product development, innovation, and quality assurance processes, leveraging creative techniques and project management experience to drive ideas to completion.
• Lead by example in looking at future trends in products, customers, and technology, and facilitate regular updates to the broader organization.
• Develop, own, and collaborate on department/project budgets and spending, ensuring operational expenses support revenue and profit goals.
• Provide strategic leadership and direction to the Product Development & Design, Materials Analysis, Quality Management, and Process Engineering teams.

• Product Development and Innovation:
• Take projects from sketch concepts to fully vetted engineering drawings through related software systems and team management.
• Provide technical support to the Commercial/Marketing Team in evaluating and advancing product innovation opportunities identified in the commercial strategy and marketing funnel.
• Create and manage the new product development pipeline portfolio, interfacing with strategic marketing on priority, ensuring success and transparency in new product launch commitments and reduced time to market of value-added profitable products.
• Ensure complete, accurate, and tangible documentation required for every aspect of product design and production processes, enabling a successful hand-off to manufacturing.
• Evaluate and resolve technical feasibility, design optimization, and production issues encountered during product launch.
• Control and implement changes in raw material and customer specification systems.
• Champion the implementation of Continuous Improvement techniques to optimize the product development value stream.

• Quality Management:
• Develop and implement quality assurance strategies and processes to ensure product quality and compliance with industry standards.
• Oversee quality control procedures, including inspections, testing, and audits, to identify and address any quality issues.
• Collaborate with production teams to ensure quality standards are maintained throughout the manufacturing process.
• Provide guidance, support, and leadership in the resolution of customer technical issues and opportunities.
• Maintain all technical data relating to products, production drawings, test documents, certifications, and product development process documentation.

• Materials Analysis and Process Engineering:
• Utilize knowledge of various manufacturing processes, engineering practices, industry standards, building materials, and other physical sciences to complete product designs.
• Interface with Sales and Marketing departments and customers to ensure product requirements are developed and met.
• Liaise with suppliers/vendors/ACO Groups regarding part design completion and tooling or process development and completion.
• Interpret and communicate results upon review of product specifications; ensure continual testing to cover new and revised products. Ensure product certifications are kept up to date.
• Implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality.

Competencies:

• Strategic Leadership
• Project Management
• Written & Verbal Communication
• Conflict Resolution
• Creativity/Innovation
• Quantitative & Analytical Decision Making

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Materials Science, or related technical field, required
• Five plus years’ experience leading product development team in a manufacturing environment, required
• Seven plus years’ leading and managing technical teams, required
• Experience with Advanced Product Design Planning and Production Process Development, required
• Master’s degree in design engineering, preferred
• Knowledge in Conceptual Design Development to full product commercialization, preferred
• Understanding of steel making practices and metals industry, preferred
• Experience in tool design and manufacturing, preferred

Other Skills:

• Proficient in SolidWorks, Inventor, Civil3D, and other related programs.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Must be able to type a minimum of 35 WPM.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Occasionally required to stand or walk.
• Continually required to sit and work on a computer.
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity.
• Frequently required to talk or hear.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Occasionally required to drive.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development