Engineering Manager

Stevens Point, WI | Full-Time | On-Site

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced Engineering Manager to lead engineering operations within a growing aerospace propulsion manufacturing organization. This is a highly visible leadership role that serves as the primary interface between engineering, operations, customers, and external suppliers while supporting the successful development and production of advanced aerospace propulsion systems.

The Engineering Manager combines strong technical expertise with exceptional leadership and business acumen. This individual will translate customer requirements into practical, manufacturable, and commercially successful engineering solutions while balancing technical performance, cost, schedule, and customer expectations. Success in this role requires excellent communication, sound decision-making, adaptability, and the ability to lead through changing priorities in a fast-paced aerospace and defense environment.

As the organization grows, this position will build and lead an engineering team while driving operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary engineering liaison between customers, internal leadership, manufacturing, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
• Translate customer technical requirements into manufacturable, cost-effective engineering solutions that support business objectives.
• Lead engineering activities supporting product development, New Product Introduction (NPI), manufacturing readiness, and production scale-up.
• Balance customer expectations, technical requirements, project schedules, and profitability throughout the product lifecycle.
• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing engineering team while fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Establish engineering priorities, allocate resources, and manage multiple concurrent projects in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Partner closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management to ensure successful project execution.
• Support supplier selection, technical reviews, and engineering collaboration with external manufacturing and supply partners.
• Drive Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA), engineering problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Improve manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and First Pass Yield (FPY) through engineering process improvements.
• Develop engineering documentation, manufacturing processes, work instructions, and engineering change management activities.
• Present engineering solutions, project status, technical recommendations, and risk assessments to executive leadership and customers.
• Foster strong customer relationships through responsive communication, technical leadership, and exceptional service.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of engineering experience, including leadership responsibility within aerospace, defense, propulsion systems, or advanced manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success leading engineering teams while managing complex technical projects.
• Experience serving as the primary technical interface with customers and external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing engineering, New Product Introduction (NPI), and aerospace production environments.
• Proven ability to translate customer requirements into practical engineering solutions that balance technical performance, manufacturability, schedule, and profitability.
• Experience managing multiple priorities while adapting effectively to changing customer and business requirements.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, and interpersonal leadership skills.
• Strong engineering judgment, structured problem-solving, and Root Cause Analysis experience.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and manage internal and external stakeholder relationships.

Required:

• U.S. Citizenship is required due to applicable government regulations and customer requirements associated with defense and aerospace programs.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with gas turbine engines, propulsion systems, aerospace manufacturing, or defense programs.
• Previous experience building and leading engineering organizations in a growing manufacturing environment.
• Experience working directly with OEM customers and strategic suppliers.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, DFMEA, PFMEA, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems and aerospace manufacturing standards.
• Experience supporting government or defense-related engineering programs.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to understand how engineering decisions impact profitability and customer satisfaction.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role in building a growing aerospace manufacturing operation. Beyond leading engineering initiatives, you will help shape customer relationships, influence business strategy, develop engineering talent, and drive the successful execution of advanced aerospace programs. If you enjoy combining technical expertise with leadership, customer engagement, and strategic decision-making, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact while growing with an innovative organization.