Lead Debug Engineer (Not for Everyone!)

At Steven Douglas Corp (SDC), we specialize in designing and building custom automated machines that serve a wide variety of applications and industries. Every project is unique, and every machine brings new technical challenges.

Let us be clear — this role is not for most people. If you need structure, comfort, or direction, this is not your role. This is a role you take because you think you can do something that most people cannot. This is ownership under pressure. This is a high leverage – high reward position. You want a challenge and you want the opportunity to be one of the key players in the company. You are driven by success and want the opportunity to be rewarded more than the people that don’t want the pressure or the expectations.

Machine Testing and Debug is the least predictable phase of any first time build custom project. Machines do not cooperate on schedule, vendors miss, designs need re-work, software needs revamped. None of that is your excuse — it is your environment. The Lead Debug Engineer is the person who thrives in that environment, builds a plan, and executes it.

In this role, you are responsible for getting a custom automated machine from power-up to customer acceptance. You are responsible for looking at issues and quickly determining how to solve them correctly. You are never allowed to use excuses. You are the decision-maker, the leader and champion working with the managerial team, directing the team of engineers, and working alongside the Project Managers. 

Do not apply if you are not up for the challenge. We want someone that knows what you’re getting into — and signs up anyway. 

Why Join SDC?

• Innovative Machine Design: At SDC, your primary focus will be end-process analysis into detailed, functional machine concepts that align with customer requirements.
• Collaborative Environment: Work closely with our sales, project management, and engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of design and execution.
• Family-Owned Culture: Experience a supportive and agile environment that values technical excellence and personal growth.

What You’ll Do:

• Own the machine from power-up through customer sign-off, including planning, technical execution, and final quality validation.
• Build and maintain the debug plan — scope, sequence, daily priorities, and open-items log updated in real time.
• Mange multiple different project teams at one time, keeping multiple projects on schedule.
• Lead daily team coordination on the floor, providing clear directions to engineers and technicians.
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, and controls issues.
• Validate machine quality before Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) — every function, every safety parameter, every spec.
• Lead customer FAT, manage the agenda, run the process, and close acceptance.
• Escalate blockers early to pull resources from project managers and department leads as needed.
• Communicate schedule status and risks proactively to the Project Manager — no surprises.