Director of Engineering (Heavy Equipment)

We are representing a rapidly growing Equipment Manufacturing OEM specializing in highly engineered body design. They are actively seeking a hands on Director of Engineering at their flagship location in the greater Athens, OH area. Reporting directly to the President, this highly visible position will be responsible for leading product development for the entire organization while developing a large team of engineers focused on product design and VA/VE engineering. This is a full-time/direct hire opportunity.

POSITION OVERVIEW

• Provide technical and strategic leadership for all engineering and product development functions, including design, VA/VE, and customer support engineering.
• Develop and execute a long-term product roadmap aligned with commercial growth goals and customer performance requirements.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration between Engineering, Sales, and Marketing to define and deliver differentiated product solutions and value propositions.
• Prioritize engineering initiatives based on ROI, market demand, and technical feasibility.
• Oversee engineering resources, team structure, and processes to improve speed, quality, and innovation across multiple product lines.
• Interface directly with customers and end-users to capture Voice of Customer (VOC) insights and translate them into design improvements.
• Benchmark product performance and maintain awareness of the competitive landscape.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline (advanced degree preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive engineering leadership experience in heavy equipment, vehicle systems, or industrial machinery design.
• Proven success managing teams responsible for new product development, engineering support, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to align technical and commercial priorities.

Our client offers a comprehensive portfolio of insurance and retirement benefits along with a lucrative bonus program, long-term advancement opportunities and other attractive perks. Relocation assistance is available to especially qualified candidates not currently residing in the local geography.