Director, Manufacturing Engineering

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the Manufacturing Engineering and Maintenance organization (over 100 engineers, technicians and leaders) responsible for sustaining, improving and advancing high-volume, highly automated medical device assembly, packaging, pharmaceutical mixing and converting processes.
• Translate site and business objectives into engineering and maintenance strategies, long-term roadmaps, team priorities, measurable goals and individual performance objectives that improve safety, quality, service, cost, productivity and compliance.
• Lead prioritization, planning and execution of complex engineering projects, automation programs, equipment upgrades, capacity expansions, cost reduction initiatives and business growth projects, balancing long-term capability development with urgent operational support needs.
• Manage $55M+ capital portfolio planning and execution, including business case development, project justification, budget adherence, resource allocation, risk management, vendor engagement and cross-functional stakeholder alignment.
• Provide technical leadership and decision-making support for manufacturing equipment, automation, controls, process performance, manufacturability, equipment reliability, asset lifecycle management and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and improve maintenance strategy, asset reliability practices, preventive and predictive maintenance approaches, spare parts strategies and equipment lifecycle plans that reduce manufacturing loss, improve uptime and strengthen production continuity.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, Supply Chain, Finance and other functions to identify and resolve manufacturing issues, mitigate technical and operational risk, improve operating performance and ensure engineering work complies with safety, GMP, quality, regulatory and company standards.
• Lead and coach teams through structured problem solving, root cause analysis and continuous improvement efforts that address systemic safety, quality, compliance, equipment reliability, productivity and business continuity issues.
• Provide oversight for process FMEAs, control plans, change requests, SOPs, work instructions, manufacturing documentation, nonconformances, corrective and preventive actions, audit observations and other quality system deliverables where engineering ownership or support is required.
• Provide direction and coaching for equipment, process and cleaning validation strategies, protocols, execution, documentation and issue resolution in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Establish and sustain engineering, automation, maintenance and documentation standards, best practices and governance processes that improve execution consistency and enable knowledge sharing across teams and sites.
• Manage relationships and performance expectations with equipment suppliers, automation integrators, contractors and technical service providers supporting capital projects, operational support and specialized engineering work.
• Partner with Advanced Operations to support new product introductions, process transfers, and launch readiness.
• Own capacity expansion and manufacturing scale-up activities by ensuring engineering, maintenance, validation, documentation and production support requirements are effectively planned and executed.
• Plan organizational capacity, define capability needs, allocate internal and external engineering resources, and build, coach and develop a high-performing technical organization that supports current site needs, succession planning and future business growth.
• Communicate complex technical plans, project status, risks, tradeoffs and recommendations to site leadership, cross-functional partners and senior stakeholders while modeling accountability, collaboration, urgency, sound judgment, inclusive leadership and a relentless focus on quality, compliance and business results.

Required Qualifications

• This role is based at the Cary, IL site and requires a full-time on-site presence Monday through Friday.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or required; Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering preferred.
• 15+ years of engineering and manufacturing experience, including significant expertise in manufacturing engineering, automation, and process improvement.
• 10+ years of leadership experience within medical device, pharmaceutical, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Proven success leading manufacturing engineering organizations supporting high-volume, automated operations, including development of engineering talent across multiple levels.
• Extensive experience leading large-scale automation initiatives and capital investment portfolios, including business case development, resource prioritization, budget management, and project execution.
• Strong technical expertise in manufacturing technologies, automation, controls, and mechanical systems, with the ability to translate technical concepts into operational results.
• Demonstrated success deploying Lean, continuous improvement, and structured problem-solving methodologies to drive safety, quality, delivery, and cost improvements.
• Experience with equipment and process validation in regulated manufacturing environments, including development and execution of validation strategies.
• Deep working knowledge of quality systems and operational excellence tools, including PFMEA, control plans, CAPA, nonconformance management, change control, SOPs, work instructions, and GMP-compliant documentation.
• Proven ability to partner cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, and Maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability, productivity, quality, safety, and overall manufacturing performance.
• Experience developing and executing engineering strategies aligned with business objectives, while balancing long-term initiatives with day-to-day operational support.
• Strong leadership, communication, and influencing skills, with demonstrated ability to build relationships, lead change, coach teams, and effectively communicate with stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound, timely decisions, manage competing priorities, and drive results in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with a track record of delivering complex initiatives on time and within budget.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting automated assembly, packaging, converting, or pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
• Experience managing annual departmental or site capital budgets exceeding $15 million.
• Proven leader of leaders with experience managing large technical organizations of 100+ engineers, technicians, and leaders.