Staff Mechanical Engineering Manager

Wilcox Industries - Portsmouth, NH

Full-time - Senior

Portsmouth, NH

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Staff Mechanical Engineering Manager is responsible for overseeing the mechanical engineering department, guiding the team in the design, development, and optimization of mechanical systems and products. This strategic leadership role requires a deep understanding of mechanical engineering principles, exceptional project management skills, and the ability to collaborate across multiple disciplines to achieve company goals. The position demands a balance of technical expertise, managerial acumen, and strategic vision.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of senior and junior mechanical engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.
• Manage performance, provide constructive feedback, and support career development for team members.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and training of new engineering staff.
• Develop and implement strategic plans for mechanical engineering initiatives, aligning with overall company objectives and growth strategies.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, technology adoption, and innovation to enhance mechanical engineering capabilities and project outcomes.
• Provide technical guidance and support in the resolution of complex mechanical engineering challenges and design issues.
• Review and approve mechanical engineering designs, calculations, and documentation to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Document and implement best practices in mechanical design, thermal analysis, materials selection, and manufacturing processes.
• Promote effective communication and teamwork within the mechanical engineering department and across the organization.
• Support business development efforts by contributing mechanical engineering knowledge to the writing of proposals, white papers, responding to RFIs, and participating in proposal reviews.
• Work closely with Program Managers to establish technical work breakdown structure for mechanical engineering tasks on development programs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for mechanical engineering matters, both internally and with external stakeholders.
• Generate and present technical briefings to company staff and customers when requested.
• Contribute innovative ideas for product development and process improvement efforts.
• Perform other duties as necessary when directed to do so to support business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 15+ years of experience in a Mechanical Engineering role or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with at least 3-5 years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Strong technical background in Mechanical Engineering.
• Strong track record of successful management of direct reports and team leadership in a high-tech or engineering-intensive environment.
• Strong track record of designing and developing manufacturable products.
• Expertise in mechanical design, thermal analysis, materials science, and manufacturing processes.
• High proficiency with engineering design tools (e.g., Solidworks) and project management software.
• Strong understanding of GD&T.
• High proficiency in conducting modal, thermal, and structural analysis at the system level.
• Skills in integrating mechanical systems with electrical, optical, and other engineering disciplines.
• Experience of applying Lean or similar continuous improvement approach.
• Knowledge of industry standards and regulations relevant to mechanical engineering, such as ASME, ASTM, and API.
• Ability to lead highly technical engineers.
• Ability to mentor junior engineers.
• Project Management skills.
• Ability to self-manage/self-direct projects and communicate with engineering staff regularly.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks concurrently with changing deadlines and priorities.
• Working knowledge of product development throughout the entire product lifecycle, including design reviews and test readiness reviews.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite (Microsoft 365, Teams).
• Proposal writing experience.
• Demonstrated leadership ability while working well in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Must be able to maintain composure in dealing with executives, customers, and staff, occasionally under conditions of urgency and in pressure situations.
• Motivated, self-directed and highly organized with strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to adapt to modern software and work methodologies.