We are looking for a Chief Engineer to lead the technical direction and engineering performance of our Jefferson City, Tennessee manufacturing facility. As a key member of the plant leadership team, this role is accountable for advancing manufacturing capability through strong engineering execution, disciplined continuous improvement, and smart investment in automation and technology. You will lead a diverse engineering team, influence critical business decisions, and ensure our processes, equipment, and talent are positioned to meet both current production demands and future growth. This opportunity is ideal for a leader who combines deep technical expertise with business acumen and a strong presence on the plant floor.
YOUR IMPACT These duties are not meant to be all-inclusive and other duties may be assigned.
- Set and execute the engineering vision and strategy for the Jefferson City facility, aligning with enterprise objectives, product roadmap, and operational goals
- Lead, develop, and scale a high performing engineering organization across Manufacturing Engineering, Controls, Robotics, and Automation, building both technical depth and leadership capability.
- Drive plant wide continuous improvement through advanced manufacturing practices, automation, digital integration, and data driven decision making.
- Own capital planning and deployment strategy, ensuring investments are prioritized, executed effectively, and deliver measurable returns in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
- Serve as the senior technical authority for the site, making and defending critical engineering decisions that impact product integrity, manufacturing capability, and long term competitiveness.
- Partner cross functionally with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Product Engineering to remove constraints, accelerate new product introduction, and improve overall value stream performance.
- Establish and reinforce a culture of accountability, innovation, and problem solving, with a strong presence on the shop floor and a focus on standard work and disciplined execution.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, and external partners to support business growth and technical advancement.
- Provide leadership in budgeting and financial performance, with ownership of engineering spend, capital forecasts, and contribution to overall plant profitability.
- Champion talent development through coaching, succession planning, and creation of clear development pathways for engineering team members.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's degree in operations, engineering, or related field.
- Ten (10) or more years of relevant experience.
- Leadership experience.
STANDOUT EXPERIENCE- Knowledge of equipment manufacturing industry or automobile industry. Experience with lean manufacturing systems and structured problem solving methodologies such as Six Sigma or similar
- Track record of driving measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost across a complex manufacturing environment
- Demonstrated ability to build and develop high performing engineering teams, including succession planning and leadership development
- Willingness to work on the shop floor and lead by example; ability to influence decision making with or without authority; facilitate groups with diverse perspectives; and bring teams to agreement
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
WORKING CONDITIONS The following represents general working conditions for this role. Specific conditions may vary depending on business needs and individual circumstances.
- This role combines office-based administrative duties with physical activity in production environments.
- In the office setting, tasks may require extended computer use, sitting, and attending meetings.
- Field or floor work may involve walking across various terrains or shop floors, standing, moderate lifting (up to 50 pounds), climbing stairs, and exposure to varying temperatures or noise levels.
- Must be able to shift focus between detailed cognitive work and occasional physical tasks as needed.
- Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities to support performance across both office and field responsibilities.
Pay Range:$103,300.00 - $177,700.00
The above pay range reflects the minimum and maximum target pay for the position across all U.S. locations. Within this range, individual pay is determined by various factors, including the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education and skills, as well as the equity of pay among team members in similar positions. Beyond offering a competitive total rewards package, we prioritize a people-first culture and offer various opportunities to support team member growth and success.
