Design & Process Engineering Manager
Location: Falconer, NY
Salary Range: $ 123,000.00 to $ 139,000.00
About SKF:
SKF, reducing friction since 1907, re-imagining rotation for a better tomorrow!
SKF is an industry-leading manufacturer that has been a cornerstone in industrial life. Wherever there are machines or products in motion, SKF bearings are there to reduce friction. SKF drives the industries that support our way of life, powers the machines that put food on the table, and even helps explore the cosmos.
Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. SKF is on pace to decarbonize all its production facilities by 2030.
We're guided by our SKF values. Collaboration is critical to the success of our colleagues, partners, and customers. Curiosity and Courage provide a foundation for innovation and advancement. And we do this work out of Care for our people, customers, communities, and the planet.
We're a company committed to a culture of belonging, where all our people are encouraged to be themselves and grow their careers in an equitable environment.
Learn about SKF at www.skf.com.
Job Summary
The Design & Process Engineering Manager leads the development, optimization, and implementation of product designs and manufacturing processes to support business objectives related to safety, quality, cost, delivery, and innovation. This role manages engineering teams responsible for product design, process development, continuous improvement, and new product introduction while ensuring alignment with customer requirements, regulatory standards, and operational goals.
The Design & Process Engineering Manager collaborates closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Sales, and Product Management to drive engineering excellence and operational efficiency across the organization.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Engineering Leadership
- Lead and develop Design and Process Engineering teams through coaching, mentoring, performance management, and professional development.
- Establish engineering priorities and allocate resources to support strategic business objectives.
- Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, collaboration, and accountability.
- Manage departmental budgets, project timelines, and engineering resources.
Product Design & Development
- Oversee product design activities from concept through production release.
- Review and approve engineering drawings, specifications, bills of materials (BOMs), and design changes.
- Ensure product designs meet customer requirements, manufacturability standards, quality expectations, and cost targets.
- Lead design reviews, risk assessments, and engineering validation activities.
- Support value engineering initiatives to improve product performance and reduce costs.
Process Engineering & Manufacturing Support
- Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes to improve productivity, quality, and operational efficiency.
- Lead process improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Evaluate and implement new manufacturing technologies, automation, tooling, and equipment.
- Establish process standards, work instructions, process flows, and manufacturing documentation.
- Analyze production data and lead efforts to reduce waste, variability, downtime, and production costs.
New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Manage engineering support for new product launches, facility expansions, and process transfers.
- Coordinate cross-functional activities to ensure successful product industrialization and production readiness.
- Develop manufacturing plans, process validations, and production qualification strategies.
- Identify and mitigate design and process risks during product development.
Quality & Compliance
- Ensure engineering processes comply with applicable safety, environmental, industry, and regulatory standards.
- Partner with Quality teams to investigate customer complaints, non-conformances, and corrective actions.
- Lead root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Support compliance with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, FDA, or other applicable standards.
Project Management
- Lead capital investment projects from concept through implementation.
- Prepare project justifications, ROI analyses, budgets, and execution plans.
- Manage engineering project schedules, scope, costs, and deliverables.
- Track and report key project and departmental performance metrics.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Product Design Engineering, or related field.
- 7+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
- 3+ years of leadership or supervisory experience managing engineering teams.
- Strong knowledge of product development, manufacturing processes, and process optimization.
- Experience leading cross-functional engineering and operational improvement projects.
- Proficiency with CAD software, engineering documentation, and manufacturing systems.
- Strong project management, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in engineering, Engineering Management, or Business Administration (MBA).
- Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
- Experience with automation, robotics, Industry 4.0 technologies, and digital manufacturing systems.
- Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software.
- Experience within regulated industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical device, consumer products, or industrial manufacturing.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Continuous Improvement Mindset
- Strategic and operational leadership
- Engineering design principles
- Manufacturing process development
- Continuous improvement methodologies
- Product lifecycle management
- Root cause analysis and problem solving
- Budget and project management
- Data analysis and decision-making
- Technical documentation and change management
- Customer-focused engineering solutions
- Team building and employee development
What You'll Love About SKF:
Rest and Relaxation. Enjoy a generous PTO policy and 13 paid holidays.
Work/Life Integration. SKF supports work/life integration, home, family, community, personal well-being and health.
Diversity in the Workplace. At SKF, we strive to embed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in everything we do. By developing a culture of belonging, our people can flourish; leading to an inclusive, equitable environment that promotes leadership, engagement and innovation.
Best in Class Benefits. SKF cares about the wellbeing of our employees. Comprehensive healthcare options to fit your needs and opt out payment. Added benefits include company paid life insurance, STD, LTD. Supplemental benefits include critical illness coverage, tuition reimbursement, employee discount programs, and much more!
Bonus. SKF offers STVS (Short Term Variable Salary) or Sales Incentive based on company performance and at the discretion of management.
Invest in your Future. Participate in our 401K program that boasts a 10% employer contribution: 100% match up to 5% of your elected contribution (100% Vested) plus an additional 5% company contribution.
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