Assistant R&D Manager

This is an excellent opportunity to bring your broad background in district field sales management of a highly technical product with a manufacturing company to expand the offerings for this premier design and manufacturer of low and high pressure gauges, controllers, switches, meters and indicators with very diverse applications. Company enjoys a very diverse customer base with their largest client representing less than 2% of their sales. Company is constantly striving to stay on the cutting edge of technology in their product offerings and methods of lowering costs. As a result, there is tremendous potential for both personal and professional growth in this small company atmosphere with big company opportunities.  They are an engineering driven company that offers an outstanding benefit package including relocation. 

Reasons why this is a great job for the right person.

• Leader in their product line
• Privately held – engineering driven company
• Diverse product line & customer base – largest client only 2% of sales
• Opportunity for advancement
• Solid track record of profitable growth
• Excellent opportunity for personal and professional growth
• Great Midwestern location
• Competitive salary, benefits and relocation package

Management Challenges

• You will supervise the activities of the Product Support and Enhancement Team personnel.  Provide guidance and assistance to aid them in the timely performance of their assignments.
• You will develop the definition of Engineering Enhancement projects.  Establish with each member of the project team how metrics will be applied under the Genius platform for each project. 
• You will create and maintain a work environment, through effective application of leadership principles, that is team based and conducive to attaining expected results on all projects.
• You will manage all projects to optimize throughput, by preventing or removing constraints to schedules and progress on projects.
• You will develop and document processes and procedures for evaluating Enhancement and Specials projects.
• Additionally you will be charged with:
• 1. Perform project management functions that assures projects assigned are completed on time and within budget.
  2. Assigns performance metrics to direct reports.  Recognizes top performers, and takes action on non-performers.
  3. Organizes and prioritizes projects that provide the best value for the company.  Assures that project goals and scope are clearly defined, and that a financial analysis has been completed.
  4. Reviews project loading and assigns work through outsourcing to assure on time completion and to minimize or eliminate project backlog.

Additional duties will include:
 
ENHANCEMENTS

• Create and maintain a list containing the backlog of Enhancement Projects along with their relative return as well as schedules for all active and pending projects.
• Identify and delimit the scope for Enhancement evaluating the cost and value of the changes
• Work with the assigned engineer to develop a written plan for the verification of the changes and subsequent functionality.
• Work with Purchasing and Production Control to coordinate and schedule implementation of the changes.
• Work with Manufacturing to identify the fixtures, instructions and follow-up required for the smooth transition of new and revised products/components from Engineering to production.

ENGINEERING CHANGE REQUESTS

• Evaluate and approve incoming Engineering Change Requests (ECR’s), determining if they meet specific criteria (including completeness) to warrant the change.
• Evaluate completed ECRs for correct implementation and impact. 

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Use technical skills necessary for the performance of assignments and apply Engineering knowledge gained on past assignments to solve problems of a general Engineering nature.
• Work with other departments to obtain solutions to Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing and Sales problems.
• Assist the Quality Assurance group in technical investigations to product specifications.
• Present information and results in a clear concise manner utilizing charts, graphs and schedules.
• Keep adequate records of assignments, reports, and information and locate and retrieve information from those records when required.
• Work with vendors to resolve tooling and scheduling problems and maintain the best possible cost advantage and scheduling for our products.
• Provide timely and quality services and support to all internal and external customers. 
• Independently seeks and identifies problems and constraints blocking progress toward these objectives. 
• Consistently develops creative and effective solutions to those opportunities. 

To be considered for this role: 
 

• You must have a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, plus seven years of related project Engineering experience is required for this position. 
• The ability to manage the work of other Engineers and Support Personnel is needed along with the ability to motivate, priortize and hold your staff accountable.
• You must have a demonstrated high energy level and be able to function effectively in a fast paced environment with other high energy staff
• You will have had design engineering experience earlier in your career
• You will have a solid demonstrated track record of success with Project Management skills.
• A Professional Engineers License would be a definite advantage in this position.