Director of Engineering & Quality West Coast

Job Summary

The Director of Engineering and Quality provides strategic direction and leadership to the Engineering and Quality teams, overseeing all functions from concept through production and validation of precision machined components and assemblies. Reporting to senior leadership, this role ensures collaboration across departments  including sales, supply chain, manufacturing, and quality  to achieve operational excellence and meet company objectives.

Success in this role requires strong leadership, communication, and project management skills, along with a commitment to developing talent and driving organizational improvement. The ideal candidate possesses deep technical expertise, a global mindset, and high emotional intelligence.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervise, mentor, and manage a team of managers or supervisors.

Communicate organizational strategy and vision to the team.

Oversee engineering and quality staff performance to ensure alignment with company goals.

Conduct timely and constructive performance evaluations.

Provide training and mentorship to support employee growth and development.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and maintain cost models to ensure accurate product costing for customer quotes.

Lead cross-functional teams through the New Product Introduction (NPI) process.

Establish, implement, and maintain engineering and quality standards, policies, and procedures.

Serve as a subject matter expert in machining and automation processes , driving adoption of innovative technologies for improved cost and quality performance.

Promote a continuous improvement culture , addressing non-conformances and enhancing efficiency.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to proactively resolve challenges.

Provide technical expertise and strategic guidance to engineering teams, production personnel, and leadership.

Align departmental objectives with organizational strategy, setting measurable goals for success.

Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Strong leadership and managerial abilities.

Advanced analytical and problem-solving expertise.

In-depth technical knowledge of engineering and product development.

Strong financial acumen with the ability to analyze and interpret data.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or related engineering software.

Education & Experience

Bachelors degree in Engineering required; Masters degree in Engineering or Business Administration preferred.

10+ years of managerial experience in engineering leadership roles.

10+ years of experience in the Machine Tool Technology trade.

Experience with ISO9001 / AS9100 preferred.

Six Sigma Certification (Green or Black Belt) preferred.