Sr. R&D Engineering Manager

About StoneAge

StoneAge is the global leader in designing and manufacturing high-pressure waterblast tooling and automated, IoT-enabled/robotic equipment, based in Durango, CO., with five subsidiaries in four countries. Think squirt guns on steroids run by humans and robots StoneAge is also the parent company of Breadware, an IoT product development firm that helps clients build and launch IoT-enabled products. We are an innovative, employee-owned company that aims to change our industry and the world through advancing technical products and services – and with our unique, people-centric culture.

Description

As R&D Engineering Manager, you will lead a multidisciplinary engineering team comprised of mechanical, electrical and firmware engineers and varying product lines. You will oversee the design of new products per the Product Development Process (PDP) and be responsible for the team’s execution of product design from conception through sustainment. You will be responsible for creating and maintaining accurate development schedules. You will set the team up for success by helping develop and working on our product roadmap, providing strategic direction to your team, interfacing with customers to gather requirements, and evaluating product ideas for merit and business potential.

The Research and Design Engineering team report to this position.

This person should be a technically minded individual who is passionate about developing innovative products, growing as a leader, and developing a team of individuals and projects. This position requires proactive communication and listening skills. StoneAge places emphasis on leadership skills and fostering a collaborative and cohesive environment across all departments within the company. You will be required to continuously hone your leadership skills and build relationships with all departments and personnel.

This position reports to the Director of Product and R&D Engineering with a starting salary of 125k-145k per year (depending on experience). This is an onsite position located at our headquarters in Durango, CO.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Team Management

• Provide ongoing supervision and counseling of Engineering team, guiding them in current positions and assisting with career development and training.
• Perform quarterly Own It Chats with input from the Director of Engineering. Hold regular team and individual meetings, giving regular feedback toward performance and goal achievement.
• Propose annual merit pay increases for the Engineering Team based on performance.
• Identify training needs (individual or team) and work with the Director of Engineering to provide opportunities.
• Collaboratively develop and communicate team and individual goals and objectives.

• Direct problem-solving activities and corrective action for Engineering and interdepartmental issues and conflict.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical oversight as appropriate.
• Approve credit card transactions and coach / train Engineers as required.
• Ensure Engineering timekeeping is accurate.
• Communicate any Engineering departmental issues to the Director of Engineering.

R&D/Engineering Leadership

• Ensure designs and gate reviews are executed to the Product Development Process (PDP).
• Manage the Engineering team to ensure that priority projects are properly staffed and resourced.
• Manage the Engineering team in accordance with product roadmap priorities and communicate the context and rationale for those priorities to the team.
• Communicate regularly with the Director of Engineering and Engineering Project Manager regarding project schedule, technical risk, field test, etc.
• Communicate regularly with Sales and Operations to identify and support product support and improvement opportunities.
• Develop project milestones, schedules and project definition for large team projects.
• Collaborate with Engineering Director on management of IP portfolio
• Support the Solidworks Admin functions.
• Be a champion for developing and maintaining regulatory technical data packages.
• Lead the creation and maintenance of an Engineering Best Practices Manual and any associated team training.
• Participate as a member of the Product Strategy team.
• Aid in the creation of the annual R&D budget and manage projects and purchases to the budget, including continuous maintenance of project codes and charges issued to projects.

• Collaborate and share resources with the StoneAge Solutions team when required. Help identify custom solutions that could turn into viable products.
• Lead special projects or perform other duties as requested by the Director of Engineering.

Company Participation

• Support Quality and Sales in the timely investigation, resolution and reporting of design related warranty returns.
• Collaborate with the Applications Engineering Team to review product feedback from both internal and external customers and identify product improvements.
• Coordinate with Priorities and Constraints team to ensure Engineering deliverables are on time and on budget
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the company's strategic initiatives, products, and services.
• Collaborate with Breadware team on intercompany projects. Provide guidance to company colleagues from an engineering and technology perspective when required.
• Participate in Joint Management meetings.
• Support and participate in StoneAge’s Continuous Improvement initiatives, rolling out appropriate LEAN principles and process within the Engineering Team and working with other departments on cross-functional Continuous Improvement activities.
• Participate in Annual Strategic Planning as directed by the Director of Engineering.

Requirements

Required

• Leadership acumen and a collaborative nature.
• 5+ years of management experience
• Passion for leadership and developing individuals' talents.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university. (Mechanical preferred or Electrical)

• 10+ years of relevant electro-mechanical design experience.
• CAD proficiency (SolidWorks is preferred)
• Experience with schedule creation and management
• Experience in design for manufacturing
• Experience in product research and development.
• Experience with regulatory compliance (FCC, CE, etc.)
• Hands-on mechanical or machining experience
• Working knowledge of MS Office software
• Be committed to furthering the waterblast industry through safe and effective work practices
• Embrace and demonstrate the StoneAge “OWN IT” mindset and behaviors daily

• Be a good teammate
• Practice self-leadership
• Deliver on the StoneAge/Breadware Assurance Promises

OTHER INFORMATION

• Travel may be required.
• Extended working hours may be needed at peak times or when short staffed.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.

• Must be able to lift heavy loads using proper lifting techniques as outlined in the StoneAge Employee Handbook.

We value the diversity of the people we hire and serve. Diversity at our company means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, respected, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths.

Benefits

StoneAge offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes:

• Group health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• 401(k) plan with a guaranteed match
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness rewards program, and much more

Even more excited, we are an employee-owned company with profit-sharing and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP"), in which shares of company stock are allocated to eligible employees each year.

Our "Own It" mindset captures what many of us consider the biggest benefit of all: a highly engaged, collaborative workplace where everyone matters and every employee makes a significant impact.

Please visit our website at www.stoneagetools.com to get a better sense of our company and our employee-owned culture