Senior Engineering Manager

Near Harvard, Illinois

Our client is a smaller yet growing manufacturer of custom engineered metal products. With strong demand and a healthy backlog extending well into 2027, they are adding a Senior Engineering Manager to help lead the next phase of growth and operational excellence.

This position offers a unique opportunity to lead both engineering and fabrication functions to the next level. The successful candidate will oversee a team responsible for estimating, design, structural engineering, and project execution while also providing leadership oversight and support to fabrication/welding/assembly operations.

The organization has recently undergone significant leadership changes and is investing in people, processes, and continuous improvement. This role will play a key part in helping shape the future of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team including design, estimating, and others.

• Provide oversight and support to fabrication operations through an existing shop supervisor

• Improve engineering workflows, design for manufacturability (DFM/DFA), communication, scheduling, and accountability

• Partner closely with senior leadership on operational improvements and growth initiatives

• Mentor newer team members while leveraging the knowledge of experienced staff

• Support continuous improvement efforts/efficiency efforts across engineering and manufacturing functions

• Ensure engineering quality, customer satisfaction, and on-time project completion

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering required

• Experience leading engineering teams within custom manufacturing/ engineered-to-order environments

• Strong understanding of design engineering, project execution, and manufacturing operations

• Ability to lead both experienced professionals and developing talent

• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills

• Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience preferred

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Strong business outlook with backlog extending into 2027

• Highly visible leadership position

• Opportunity to influence company direction and culture

• Direct interaction with executive leadership

• Smaller organization where your contributions make an immediate impact

• Stable, growing engineered products business

Local candidates are strongly preferred.