The Engineering supervisor is responsible for leading the engineering function within a DEF manufacturing environment, providing technical leadership and strategic direction across product development, manufacturing support, quality, and customer-driven engineering projects. This role oversees a team of two mechanical/design engineers at a single site.
The Engineering supervisor works closely with Operations, Manufacturing, Sales, Quality, Supply Chain, and customers to develop practical, manufacturable engineering solutions that support business growth.
Key ResponsibilitiesEngineering Leadership- Manage engineering workload, resource planning, project prioritization, and delivery timelines.
- Establish and maintain engineering standards, documentation practices, and design controls aligned with DEF industry requirements.
Product Development & Design- Lead the design, development, testing, and launch of new products and product enhancements specific to DEF manufacturing applications.
- Ensure all designs meet customer requirements, DEF industry standards, regulatory requirements, and internal manufacturing capabilities.
- Review and approve engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, and technical documentation for accuracy and manufacturability.
- Manage product lifecycle activities including engineering changes, obsolescence management, and product standardization.
Manufacturing & Operations Support- Partner closely with Manufacturing and Operations teams to resolve production issues and improve process stability in DEF production environments.
- Provide hands-on engineering support for fabrication, assembly, installation, commissioning, and field service activities.
- Identify and implement improvements to reduce scrap, rework, downtime, labor hours, and material waste.
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for manufacturing and product-related issues.
- Ensure engineering designs are robust, repeatable, and optimized for DEF manufacturing processes.
Project Management- Lead engineering projects from concept through design, validation, production release, and customer implementation.
- Define project scope, technical requirements, schedules, budgets, and resource needs.
- Track project performance and proactively manage risks, issues, and scope changes.
- Coordinate cross-functional execution with Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and customers.
- Ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of engineering projects aligned with DEF business priorities.
Quality & Continuous Improvement- Partner with Quality to address recurring product and process issues within DEF manufacturing operations.
- Lead engineering-related corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Support PFMEA, process validation, testing, and risk mitigation activities.
- Use data-driven analysis and root cause tools to improve product reliability and process performance.
Customer & Sales Support- Participate in customer meetings, technical reviews, and project kickoff discussions as required.
- Translate customer requirements into manufacturable engineering solutions aligned with DEF capabilities.
Supply Chain & Supplier Support- Collaborate with Purchasing and Supply Chain to identify cost reduction and value engineering opportunities.
- Support supplier qualification, technical evaluation, and component selection for DEF manufacturing needs.
- Review supplier-related engineering issues and recommend corrective actions or alternative solutions.
Safety, Compliance & Standards- Ensure all engineering activities comply with DEF industry safety standards, codes, and regulatory requirements.
- Integrate safety and compliance considerations into all product and process designs.
Key Performance IndicatorsSuccess in this role will be measured by:
- On-time delivery of engineering projects
- Reduction in manufacturing downtime caused by engineering issues
- Cost savings and value engineering impact
- Product quality, reliability, and field performance
- Continuous improvement and process efficiency gains
QualificationsRequired- Bachelor's or Associates degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
- 3-5 years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment (DEF, Oil, Gas, or fluid systems industry experience preferred).
- 2+ years of engineering leadership or management experience preferred.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, product design, and engineering principles.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
- Strong project management, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced DEF manufacturing environment.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Project and Excel (Macros) advanced user.
- Knowledge of industry compliance and standards (UL, CSA)
Preferred- Experience in DEF manufacturing or similar heavy industrial/manufacturing sector.
- Experience with engineered-to-order (ETO) or configure-to-order (CTO) environments.
- Proficiency with CAD and engineering documentation systems.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP).
- Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement experience.
- Experience with PFMEA, root cause analysis, and CAPA systems.
- Direct customer and supplier interaction experience.
Leadership CompetenciesThe ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong leadership and team development capability
- Clear and effective communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
- Customer-focused and solution-oriented mindset
- Sound technical and business decision-making
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Ability to balance cost, quality, safety, and delivery priorities
Working RelationshipsReports To: General Manager
External Relationships: Customers, suppliers, contractors, engineering partners, and regulatory bodies as applicable
