Join our team as a Director of Software Engineering, Manufacturing Operations!This is a HYBRID role - onsite Tuesday-Thursday in Maple Plain, MN. The Director of Manufacturing Operations Technology leads the strategy, architecture, and execution of the technology that powers manufacturing across all Protolabs factories - spanning Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Enterprise Systems (ES) integration, manufacturing capabilities, machine operations, and logistics. This role owns the technology strategy for our factories and partners closely with Operations to assess, strategize, and lead the technology organization on the future needs of the business. The Director oversees multiple software development teams, each led by its own engineering manager, and is accountable for the people, platforms, and roadmap that keep our factories running and scaling.
What You Will Do:- Own and evolve the multi-year technology strategy and roadmap for manufacturing operations, covering MES, ES, manufacturing capabilities, machine operations, and logistics across all factories
- Be the primary contact for the Chief Operating Officer and his team. Partner to assess current-state technology, identify gaps and opportunities, and co-develop the strategy for future manufacturing technology needs
- Lead, hire, and develop a multi-team organization of engineering managers and their direct reports (software engineers, quality engineers, and technical product managers), setting priorities and providing technical and organizational direction across teams
- Direct the design, development, and support of software that drives manufacturing execution, machine operations, and logistics workflows across all factory locations
- Establish and govern standards, architecture, and integration patterns for MES and ES platforms to ensure consistency, scalability, and reliability across factories
- Set overall project and portfolio priorities across the manufacturing technology teams, balancing new capability development, platform modernization, and ongoing operational support
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with factory, supply chain, and logistics stakeholders to align technology investment with operational needs
- Drive process improvement and quality initiatives across the manufacturing technology organization, including software quality, release practices, and production support
- Represent manufacturing operations technology in cross-functional and executive discussions, translating strategy into actionable plans for engineering managers and their teams
- Mentor and develop engineering managers, building organizational capability and succession depth across the manufacturing technology function
- Stay abreast of how manufacturing capabilities are evolving and what technologies are available for us to learn from or integrate with to advance our manufacturing capabilities
What You Bring:- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, or related field; advanced degree a plus10+ years of progressive software engineering leadership experience, including significant experience within manufacturing, industrial, or operations technology environments
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing other engineering managers/people leaders - not only individual contributors - across multiple teams
- Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and enterprise systems (ES/ERP) integration in a multi-site manufacturing environment
- Experience partnering directly with Operations/factory leadership to define and execute technology strategy
- Experience leading software organizations using agile development practices at scale
- Experience working with and building global teams across the Unites States, Europe, and India
- Proven track record delivering technology strategy and roadmaps that span multiple factories or business units
- Proficiency or strong understanding of CI & CD practices like automated tests, builds, and deployments
- Proven experience working at a high technical level of all phases of programming activities
- Deep knowledge of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and enterprise systems (ES), and how they integrate with machine operations and logistics
- Working knowledge of manufacturing capabilities, machine operations, and shop-floor technology across factory environments
- Understanding of logistics and supply chain systems as they relate to manufacturing operations
- Strong strategic and analytical skills; able to translate operational needs into a technology roadmap
- Executive-level communication skills; able to influence and align Operations leadership and other senior stakeholders
- Strong people-leadership skills; experience building, coaching, and scaling engineering management teams
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives across distributed teams and factory locations
- Demonstrated history of staying current on best practices in manufacturing technology and software engineering.
What's In It For You:- We offer a competitive salary and total rewards package
- We offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:
- Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)
- Dental and Vision
- Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Paid caregiver leave
- You will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO + Wellness + Holiday Pay + Volunteer Hours
- 401k with company match and immediate vest
- Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate
- Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
- And More!
$164,500 - $219,300 a year
Protolabs offers a competitive total rewards package, and compensation mix vary based on position, such as base wage, as well as other earnings including incentives and commissions. Actual pay offered will vary depending on multiple factors which may include, without limitation, job function, work experience, specialized skills, training, education, and certifications.
