Position Summary:The Quality and Production Engineering Manager provides strategic leadership for Manufacturing, Production, and Quality Engineering functions, ensuring efficient operations, regulatory compliance, and adherence to the Quality Management System (QMS). This role partners closely with cross-functional teams to support product quality, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives.
As a senior leader, this individual will serve as a coach and mentor, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and proactive problem-solving. Over the next 1-3 years, the role will lead key strategic initiatives, including facility consolidation and the integration of multiple legacy quality systems and certifications into a unified QMS framework.
Responsibilities:- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of Manufacturing Engineers, Production Engineers, and Quality Engineers.
- Provide ongoing coaching and professional development opportunities, empowering team members to take ownership of processes and problem resolution.
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative partnerships with peer leaders in Engineering, Supply Chain, and Production to ensure seamless operational flow and alignment on strategic goals.
- Oversee day-to-day sustaining engineering activities to immediately address and resolve production bottlenecks, tooling issues, and manufacturing variances.
- Drive CI initiatives (utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies) to eliminate waste, optimize workflows, and reduce manufacturing costs.
- Monitor, analyze, and drive improvements in key performance indicators (KPIs) such as First Pass Yield (FPY), scrap rates, and cost of poor quality (COPQ).
- Serve as the primary quality interface with customers and; resolve quality escapes and complaints
- Implement robust root-cause analysis (e.g., 8D, CAPA) to proactively identify, address, and permanently resolve systemic manufacturing issues.
- Ensure compliance with the company's Quality Management System across all production and engineering functions.
- Manage supplier quality programs including incoming inspection, supplier corrective actions, and supplier audits.
- Act as the primary owner for maintaining critical industry certifications, including ATEX, PED, and ISO 9001/14001, ensuring audit readiness at all times.
- Integrate risk-based thinking into both production engineering changes and quality control plans to safeguard product integrity.
- Act as a key technical and operational leader in the strategic consolidation of two existing factories into a single building. Ensure zero disruption to product quality or critical delivery schedules during the transition.
- Develop and execute an actionable, phased roadmap to consolidate the certifications and quality management systems of three separate legacy companies into one unified QMS.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:- 15+ years of progressive experience in engineering, manufacturing, production engineering, or quality management within highly regulated, complex manufacturing environments.
- 10+ years of direct people management experience, with a proven ability to build, restructure, and scale technical teams.
- Working knowledge and experience maintaining and auditing against ATEX, PED, and ISO 9001/14001 standards or equivalents.
- Proven ability to lead teams through periods of significant organizational change (e.g., facility moves, post-merger integrations).
- Strong data-driven decision-making skills with the ability to translate complex manufacturing data into actionable KPI improvements
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, capable of influencing both production floor personnel and executive leadership.
- Strong background in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and advanced quality tools (FMEA, Control Plans, SPC).
Traits: - Demonstrates strong leadership, accountability, adaptability and integrity, with the ability to manage change, make sound decisions and lead by example in line with Sierra Instruments values.
Working Conditions:- Occasionally lifts objects weighing up to 50 lbs. Physical demands include the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and to sit and stand for reasonable periods of time. Visual demands include the ability to look at a computer monitor for extended periods. Work is performed in a manufacturing environment with associated hazards.
Pay Transparency: We are committed to pay transparency and equitable compensation practices. The compensation range for this position is $150,000 - $190,000 depending on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, and location.
In addition to base compensation, this role includes a comprehensive benefit package which may include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits.
