End-to-End Project Ownership
* Own the full lifecycle of new projects, from quoting and concept development through launch and ongoing production support.
* Lead and actively manage high‐profile, complex customer programs, ensuring successful execution against cost, quality, timing, and performance objectives.
* Establish and maintain clear project plans, milestones, risk management strategies, and communication routines.
* Serve as the engineering escalation point for project challenges, ensuring rapid issue resolution.
Project Estimating & Sales Support
* Play a hands‐on role in project estimating, including labor, tooling, automation, capital equipment, and process assumptions.
* Partner closely with Sales to support technical proposals and feasibility assessments.
* Ensure estimates are accurate, competitive, and aligned with manufacturing capabilities and business objectives.
* Support customer‐facing technical discussions as needed.
Automation & Process Improvement
* Drive manufacturing automation initiatives to improve safety, efficiency, quality, and cost competitiveness.
* Guide and manage plant renovations, expansions, and capital projects, including coordination with external contractors and vendors
* Identify, prioritize, and execute process improvement and automation opportunities across engineering and manufacturing.
* Lead the evaluation, justification, and implementation of automation, tooling, and advanced manufacturing technologies and advanced project management software.
* Champion standardization and best practices across programs and facilities.
* Support testing and evaluation of new or advanced materials for processability.
* Partner with manufacturing managers and leadership to align priorities and drive cross‐departmental initiatives.
Resource & Priority Management
* Plan and allocate engineering resources to align with customer commitments, operational priorities, and strategic initiatives.
* Balance short‐term production support with long‐term improvement, automation, and growth‐focused projects.
* Establish clear prioritization frameworks to ensure optimal focus and throughput.
* Monitor and report on cost savings and efficiency gains from implemented projects
Cross‐Functional Leadership
* Ensure tight integration between Sales, Engineering, Tooling, Production, Supply Chain, Quality and Support teams, creating a seamless and accountable project delivery model.
* Facilitate effective handoffs between quoting, design, launch, and production phases.
* Promote transparency, accountability, and disciplined execution across all project stakeholders.
Team Leadership & Development
* Model and reinforce LINDAR's core values of initiative, integrity, relationships and teamwork by setting clear expectations, holding the team accountable and leading by examples in all interactions and decisions.
* Instill and foster a customer‐focused mindset within the engineering team, reinforcing the importance of responsiveness, transparency, and delivering on commitments.
* Lead, mentor, and develop a high‐performing engineering team.
* Set clear expectations, performance goals, and development plans for direct reports.
* Support hiring, onboarding, training, and succession planning within the engineering organization.
* Promote and uphold a positive safety culture, ensuring personal and team compliance with all safety protocols, including those involving vendors and contractors.
* Foster a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
Qualifications & Experience Required
* Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Electrical, or related field).
* 7+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
* 3+ years of engineering leadership or management experience.
* Proven track record managing complex, customer‐facing manufacturing projects.
* Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, tooling, automation, and production systems.
* Experience developing project estimates and managing capital budgets.
* Experience in plastics manufacturing, metal stamping, forming, assembly, or automated manufacturing environments.
* Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience.
* Proven experience in thermoforming or plastics manufacturing strongly.
* Familiarity with robotics, PLCs, controls, or advanced automation technologies.
* Project Management Professional (PMP) or similar certification.
Key Competencies
* Strong project and program management skills
* Strategic thinker with hands‐on execution capability
* Excellent cross‐functional communication and leadership skills
* Data‐driven decision‐making and financial acumen
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