Job Type: Full TimeLocation: Armstrong, IAAt Art's Way, we work to build a legacy by manufacturing dependable, specialized farm equipment so independent-minded operators can do the hard work that leads to sustainable, self-sufficient, and profitable operation for generations to come. 

Job Description

The Director of Engineering will lead our team of engineers, ensuring that they work efficiently and effectively to meet project goals and deadlines. This role will collaborate closely with other departments to align engineering efforts with overall company objectives. The Director of Engineering will be instrumental in overseeing product development, fostering innovation, and optimizing engineering processes to ensure the delivery of high-quality, forward-thinking products. 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and motivate the engineering team while aligning with the company’s visions and goals.
• Set short and long-term objectives to ensure timely delivery, adherence to budget, and meeting customer expectations.
• Coordinate training initiatives and conduct regular performance reviews to ensure high performance and growth.
• Drive the complete product development lifecycle by collaborating with cross-functional teams to align product strategies and successfully deliver innovative products within established cost targets while maintaining quality and innovation.
• Monitor project progress, identify potential risks or issues, and take proactive measures to address them.
• Develop and implement an innovative R&D strategy for the entire product line that aligns with the company’s long-term goals and market trends.
• Foster a culture of learning within the engineering team, encouraging creative thinking and problem solving.
• Identify opportunities to streamline and improve engineering processes, standards, and best practices to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in product development.
• Establish metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and track engineering efficiency, quality, and delivery velocity.
• Expand the company’s technical knowledge and engineering capabilities by developing staff and recruiting technical talent to support technology and product development objectives.
• Work closely with the leadership team to develop long-range organizational manufacturing and operational goals, utilizing voice of customer data and cross-functional communication to drive product development and improvement.
• Maintains a safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Reports incidents, faulty operations, or product imperfections to management.

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or related field required.
• 10 years of direct design experience with relevant machinery, with a proven history of leading product development and R&D initiatives.
• Strong leadership and management skills in an engineering/technical role, with experience leading high-performing engineering teams.
• Strong project management skills, a solid understanding of budgeting and the ability to meet timelines consistently.
• Certification in project management preferred, but not required.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and strategic mindset.
• Excellent communication and people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and leadership.
• Willingness to travel 10-20% of the time, as needed.
• Knowledge of relative safety standards and willingness to use personal protective equipment (safety glasses, hearing protection etc.)

 

Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Team Management
• Product Development
• R&D Strategy
• Process Improvement
• Talent Development
• Attention to Detail
• Verbal and Written Communication
• Project Management/Initiative
• Critical Thinking/Problem Solving/Troubleshooting
• Flexibility and Adaptability
• Professionalism and Work Ethic
• Teamwork and Collaboration

 

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to twenty (20) pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, reach, push, pull, crawl, kneel and climb.

 This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. Art’s Way is proud to be an EEO employer