General Manager & Principal Engineer

General Manager & Principal Engineer

Reports to Executive Management

Full-time Salaried Management

Buffalo, NY

Overview

RCM Thermal Kinetics, a division of RCM Technologies, provides process development, engineering, and supply of technologies and equipment for distillation, evaporation, molecular sieve adsorption, scrubbers, and a wide range of separations technologies. Thermal Kinetics supports multiple industries including renewable energy and chemicals extending through detailed design through commissioning, and startup of process plants, delivering both modular shop-built and field-installed systems. RCM contracts with suppliers and outsources its equipment fabrications to capable shops in various geographies.

RCM is seeking to hire an experienced General Manager and Principal Engineer to lead its team in Amherst, NY. RCM Technologies acquired the Thermal Kinetics Engineering company in 2018 to expand its process and industrial engineering capabilities, particularly through technology, patents, and intellectual property. This position requires managing the existing OEM-driven business and transforming a mostly chemical process focused group into a full-service engineering firm. Current core capabilities stem from a portfolio of patents commercialized in the fuel ethanol and renewable energy industries. Core capabilities encompass most of the common separations unit operations as listed previously plus work in crystallization and a few chemical reaction systems.

Position Summary

The General Manager is responsible for the overall strategic direction, operational management, and financial performance of Thermal Kinetics business unit. This includes overseeing project delivery, managing client relationships, driving business development, and supervising engineering staff. The manager ensures projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards while also fostering a culture of innovation, safety, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Business Transformation & Growth

• Develop and execute transformation strategy: Create and implement a comprehensive plan to transition the firm from a primary focus on process engineering to offering a full range of engineering services, including mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, civil/structural, and project management capabilities.
• Identify and develop new service lines:
• Identify new service opportunities within existing core business and clients.
• Promote engineering services for local and regional industrial and chemical sectors.

Operational & Financial Leadership Team Leadership & People Development

• Strategic hiring and upskilling: Identify staffing and skill gaps necessary for the transition and develop a strategy to address them. This will involve coordinating with other engineering offices and recruiting experienced engineers from various disciplines and creating professional development programs to cross-train existing staff and build the firm's new capabilities.
• Create and implement change management: Communicate the strategic vision and manage the organizational changes required for the transformation. Build a culture that embraces new challenges and fosters collaboration across different engineering disciplines.
• Manage operational change: Establish the new internal processes, workflows, and procedures required for a full-service firm, such as integrating multi-disciplinary teams on projects and managing a broader scope of services.Business Development & Client Relations
• Represent the firm's new capabilities: Act as the external face of RCM Thermal Kinetics. Represent its expanded capabilities to clients, industry groups, and at conferences to generate interest and new business.
• Manage strategic partnerships: Identify and secure partnerships with other firms or contractors to augment capabilities during the transition phase, ensuring the firm can deliver on its new "full-service" promises.
• Marketing and Sales: With sales staff direct identification of new market opportunities, grow the client base, and expand the firm's service offerings.
• Trade Events and Outreach: With key engineering staff and sales team represent the firm in professional organizations, with clients, and at industry events to build and maintain positive relationships.
• Strategic Planning: Develop and execute short-term and long-term strategic business plans to achieve company goals for growth, revenue, and profitability.
• Budget and Financial Management: In coordination with the CFO and his team prepare and oversee departmental budgets, manage financial forecasting, and review profit and loss reports.
• Project Contracting: Supervise and assist as needed Projects Managers and the Proposal Manager to manage contracts, prepare proposals and bids, and negotiate agreements with clients and partners.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and professional development opportunities to team members to foster growth and improve performance.
• Conduct performance reviews, set clear goals, manage resource allocation to maximize team efficiency, and promote professional development and cross-training to build a versatile engineering team.
• Recruit, mentor, and cultivate a positive and collaborative work environment that encourages teamwork, high morale, and technical excellence.

Technical & Quality Oversight

• Maintain a deep understanding of the firm's technical services and industry trends to guide strategic decisions and drive innovation.
• Direct and review engineering designs and changes, ensuring technical accuracy and soundness of methods used by staff.
• Oversee quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) processes for all project deliverables, ensuring the team's work complies with all relevant industry standards, regulations, and safety codes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline (e.g., Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or related). Master’s degree in engineering management or an MBA is preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in an engineering field, including 5-7 years in managerial or leadership roles with P&L responsibility.
• Professional Engineering (P.E.) license is required, in addition to proven experience in managing engineering operations, project delivery, and resource allocation.
• Demonstrated success in business unit leadership, client development, and organizational transformation.
• Expert-level technical knowledge relevant to the firm's specific engineering services.
• Proficiency with industry-standard software, such as computer-aided design (CAD) programs, project management software (e.g., MS Project).
• Strong analytical skills for evaluating technical information and complex problems.

Skills and Competencies

• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to motivate, develop, and direct technical teams.
• Communication: Excellent written and oral communication skills to convey complex information to a variety of technical and non-technical audiences.
• Problem-Solving: Exceptional critical thinking and decision-making skills to address project-related issues.
• Strategic Thinking: Strong ability to build effective relationships with clients, team members, and senior management.
• Organizational: Proven ability to manage multiple projects, budgets, and schedules simultaneously.
• Client Development: Track record of building and expanding client relationships in industrial and chemical markets.

RCM Technologies, Inc.

RCM Technologies, Inc. (RCMT) is a premier single-source provider of engineering, business and technology solutions. Since 1971, RCMT's core strengths and expertise are a result of decades of delivering operational and engineering excellence across multiple industries such as Healthcare, Aerospace & Defense, Energy, Process & Industrial, Life Sciences, Data and Solutions.

RCM Engineering Services division is a comprehensive Engineering/Architectural design and construction management firm providing clients with total solutions for their project needs. RCM provides the highest quality services in all engineering disciplines to utility, commercial, and industrial customers.

At RCM, we believe the key to success is working with our clients to define the correct technical staff and resources necessary to assure each project phase can be executed within the client's guidelines. This requires technical personnel with a depth of experience in all phases of project execution.

• Over 510 Engineers and Technical Designers on our staff ready to support our clients with their routine and complex engineering needs.
• Experienced, multi-discipline project teams offer the full range of comprehensive services necessary to successfully execute all aspects of power delivery, generation, commercial and industrial projects.
• Proven project management skills and tools are applied to all tasks to achieve budget and schedule commitments.
• Highly responsive, flexible, and cost-effective total solutions consistently delivering results that exceed our customers' expectations.

Competitive Salary offered, along with benefits such as 401k, Stock Purchase Plan, Health, Dental and more. Salary and Title are commensurate with experience.

Equal Opportunity Statement

RCM is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and the level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. RCM reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.