Director of Engineering

Vantedge Medical is a premier metals-based med-tech solutions partner specializing in the development and manufacturing of vital components for medical markets. The Director of Engineering is a senior leadership role responsible for developing a high-performing engineering team and driving best practices across manufacturing sites.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and align Site Engineering Managers across all Vantedge manufacturing sites through a dotted-line reporting relationship
• Partner with Site Directors of Operations (who hold direct authority) to align engineering team performance, priorities, and development plans for each site’s Engineering Manager
• Coach Site Engineering Managers on quoting ownership, NPI execution, base business improvement, and people leadership – elevating their capability to fully own their site’s engineering function
• Identify engineering talent gaps, support recruiting of Site Engineering Managers and manufacturing engineers, and build bench strength across the network
• Establish and track engineering Goals & Objectives (G&Os) at the site level, with regular cadence reviews with the VP of Engineering
• Drive best practices, process standardization, and continuous improvement across the engineering organization
• Develop and deploy standard engineering processes, tools, and documentation across all sites
• Lead engineering-driven cost savings initiatives including scrap reduction, NCR reduction, WIP reduction, process yield improvement, and insourcing of outside operations
• Drive lean manufacturing principles within the engineering function and support site-level lean transformation efforts
• Research, develop, and support implementation of new manufacturing technologies
• Provide strategic support for quoting, NPI, and new program launches across all sites
• Partner with the Estimating Manager and site resources to align on process, standards, and accountability
• Ensure site engineering teams are equipped and aligned to execute NPI projects on time, on cost, and to quality standards
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) input at the site engineering level and ensure NPI PMs and MEs own the process end-to-end
• Provide technical support for key customer quoting reviews, business development activities, and new business opportunity assessment including site selection and capability fit analysis
• Provide technical expertise and capital investment guidance across the manufacturing network
• Provide technical guidance to site engineering teams across all Vantedge processes including CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, large-format machining, precision stamping, EDM, and assembly
• Develop and support equipment capacity analysis and capital investment strategy to ensure manufacturing capabilities match demand forecasts and growth targets
• Provide engineering support for customer audits, key account reviews, and escalations

Requirements:

• Engineering or bachelor's degree in a technical field
• Minimum 12–15 years of progressive experience in applicable precision manufacturing engineering, in a regulated industry, with at least 5 years in a people leadership role managing Engineering Managers or Senior Manufacturing Engineers
• Demonstrated experience serving on a Plant Leadership Team (PLT), equivalent site operations leadership role, or department lead
• Proven track record of leading engineering teams through NPI programs including DFM, process development, quoting support, and production launch
• Strong working knowledge of CNC machining processes (Swiss turning, multi-axis milling, vertical/horizontal machining centers, etc.), sheet metal fabrication, welding, or precision stamping
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 quality management systems
• Exceptional people leadership and coaching skills with a demonstrated ability to develop direct reports and influence without direct authority across a matrixed organization
• Excellent communication skills – equally effective presenting to senior leadership, engaging with customers, and working on the shop floor
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Multi-site engineering management experience
• Experience implementing lean manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies with measurable results
• Experience in medical device contract manufacturing strongly preferred; other regulated industries (aerospace, defense) considered
• FDA registration familiarity preferred
• Strong experience in validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), DFM, and GD&T application preferred