Director of DFM & Manufacturing Engineering

The Director of DFM & Manufacturing Engineering leads the development and implementation of innovative design and manufacturing methodologies that enhance product quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. As a highly skilled and strategic technical leader, you have affinity with innovative solutions that can be applied throughout development to high-volume manufacturing, you will ensure a seamless coordination across various departments in a multicultural environment with teams like Designers, Product Development Engineers, Supply Chain, Operations, Quality, Continuous Improvement, and Safety. The Director of DFM & Manufacturing Engineering will report directly to the COO, manage the manufacturing engineering team, and drive the overall DFM Setup and Best Practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide direction and guidance to cross-functional teams to ensure DFM principles are integrated into all stages of the design and development process.
• Provide high-level technical support to the quality team and contribute directly to customer relationships.
• Drive continuous improvement in DFM methodologies, ensuring the latest best practices, tools, and technologies are leveraged.
• Develop and standardize processes to improve the interaction between design, engineering, and manufacturing teams.
• Ensure seamless integration of DFM principles throughout the product lifecycle.
• Partner with procurement, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure that components and materials align with DFM objectives.
• Stay up to date with the latest advancements in DFM tools, software, and best practices, and provide guidance on their implementation.
• Conduct DFM analysis and reviews for new products, identifying potential manufacturing challenges and recommending design rules changes to enhance manufacturability.
• Oversee the implementation of simulation and validation tools to optimize the manufacturability of designs.
• Mentor and lead engineers and DFM specialists, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning.
• Provide training and support to teams on DFM best practices and methodologies.
• Collaborate issues and debate with team to manage projects, solve problems, discuss challenging issues, and learn more about critical issues as a group.
• Implement or improve solutions to minimize disruptions in the New Product workflow.
• Report and maintain knowledge on DFM status to executive leadership.

Required Experience and Skills

• B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and M.B.A. preferred.
• More than 15 years of experience in the metal fabrication and assembly industry with a minimum of 5 years of leadership roles.
• Experience with CAD tools, manufacturing simulation software, and DFM analysis tools.
• Knowledge of Process Improvement Six Sigma, best known methods in process control.
• Experience in Failure Analysis.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, both technical and interpersonal.
• Pragmatic and flexible attitude with a result- and data-driven can-do mentality.
• Works autonomously, well-organized, with strong attention to detail, while setting high standards in all aspects of the work.
• Strong project and program management skills with a proven history of managing multiple projects competing for limited resources.