Plant Maintenance Engineering Lead

Plant Maintenance Engineering Lead

Picture this: It's daybreak in Bristol, IN. You walk the floor, greet a crew of talented maintenance technicians, scan the preventive maintenance dashboard, and then jump into a design review for a new fixture that will improve safety and throughput. By mid-morning, you're collaborating with vendors on equipment specs, aligning with the General Manager on CAPEX priorities, and coaching a technician through a tricky hydraulic issue. That's a typical day for the Plant Maintenance Engineering Lead at Dexter.

About Dexter

Dexter is a premier manufacturer and supplier of axles, suspensions, brakes, doors, venting products, trailer parts, accessories, and towing components serving the commercial trailer, RV, heavy-duty, marine, agriculture, and manufactured housing markets. Headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, with manufacturing and distribution locations across the U.S. and Canada, we leverage state-of-the-art robotics, precision welding, and automated machining to deliver superior quality, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service. Learn more at

Your impact

Reporting to the General Manager, you will lead Dexter's maintenance department and drive continuous improvement in safety, product quality, and process efficiency by supporting all facilities, sustaining existing equipment, and designing/implementing new machinery and processes.

What you'll do

• Lead a team of maintenance technicians: interview, hire, onboard, train, schedule, assign, and direct work; conduct performance appraisals; recognize performance; administer discipline; resolve complaints and problems.
• Develop and roll out maintenance procedures; maintain and continuously improve the PM program.
• Evaluate and improve manufacturing methods; design machinery, tooling, and layouts for efficient production.
• Analyze workforce utilization, space needs, and workflow; design equipment and workspace layouts to maximize efficiency.
• Own strong troubleshooting across electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, plumbing, and related systems.
• Collaborate with vendors on specifications; manage purchasing of equipment, materials, and parts; assess products to specifications and quality standards.
• Coordinate with management, engineering, and operations on capabilities, schedules, and plans to facilitate production.
• Estimate production times, staffing, and costs to support decision-making; apply statistical methods to forecast manufacturing needs and potential.
• Monitor expenses and control the maintenance budget; contribute to CAPEX planning and the plant operating budget.
• Plan and oversee repairs and installations; allocate workload; supervise all facilities maintenance.
• Manage relationships with contractors and service providers; keep accurate activity tracking and reporting.
• Flex to support production needs with extended hours when required; perform other duties as assigned.

What you bring

• Supervisory experience with a demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop teams.
• Technical depth in electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and plumbing systems; strong machine troubleshooting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; excellent communication and interpersonal skills; team orientation.
• Organizational success standards: Influence, Followership, and Respect; Change Resilience; Vision & Alignment; Employee and Team Development; Empowerment and Execution; Building Alignment.
• Working knowledge of facility machines and equipment; ability to plan and execute effectively.

Nice to have

• Robotics experience.
• Knowledge of E-Maintenance programs.
• PLC programming knowledge.

Education & experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• 3 years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Rewards & benefits

• Competitive wages.
• Full benefits package: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, FSA, HSA.
• 3% profit sharing through our Safe Harbor program.
• 401(k) with company contributions.
• Opportunities for internal career development and growth.

Legal

**Equal Opportunity Employer

Dexter Axle Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successfully passing a background check and drug screen.

**Work Authorization

Dexter will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States or Canada. We do not provide sponsorship. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1 (including those with OPT or CPT), H-1, H-2, L-1, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

Ready to lead?

Apply now to join an industry leader and make a meaningful impact for the customers we serve.