Sr. Manager, Engineering & Manufacturing Processes

Job OverviewJob Overview

The Sr. Manager, Engineering & Manufacturing Processes is a PMO leadership role that will lead the development and standardization of engineering and manufacturing processes, workflows, systems, and operating models across a rapidly scaling technology and manufacturing business. Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, and Program Management, this leader will establish consistent processes spanning product and machine development, NPI, industrialization, factory readiness, and production handoff.

The role requires a hands-on builder with a strong engineering/manufacturing background who can bring structure to complex cross-functional environments, implement scalable tools and standards, and build a capable team as the organization grows. The role partners with other PMOs and enterprise functions to adopt, adapt, or build capabilities based on business needs.

LocationPreferred: Rochester, NY area.

The position will initially be remote and transition toward a hybrid operating model. Candidates outside Rochester must be based in the U.S. East Coast or Canadian locations as shown below and be able to travel frequently to Rochester to work directly with engineering, manufacturing, and leadership teams.

Canada: Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Kingston, or Mississauga.

U.S. East Coast: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, or Florida.

Relocation to Rochester is preferred and may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Job Requirements

Key Responsibilities
Engineering & Manufacturing Process Architecture

• Design and standardize end-to-end processes spanning product development, machine development, NPI, process validation, industrialization, and manufacturing ramp.
• Establish engineering lifecycle standards, design reviews, readiness gates, change control, and release processes.
• Define cross-functional handoffs, ownership, decision rights, deliverables, and acceptance criteria between Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations.
• Identify process gaps, bottlenecks, duplication, and inconsistencies; implement scalable improvements across programs and sites.
• Establish practical standards, templates, and workflows that balance execution discipline with speed and flexibility.

Systems, Tools & Operating Model

• Build the operating model, governance, and execution mechanisms supporting engineering and manufacturing programs.
• Translate process requirements into systems, tools, workflows, dashboards, and automation that improve visibility and execution.
• Partner with IT, Digital, and enterprise process owners to leverage existing PLM, ERP, manufacturing, and program-management capabilities.
• Establish consistent data structures, documentation practices, and sources of truth across engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Develop mechanisms to track program maturity, technical readiness, manufacturing readiness, risks, dependencies, and execution performance.

Leadership & Organizational Scale

• Build and lead a team responsible for process architecture, standards, systems, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with engineering and manufacturing leaders to drive adoption and consistent execution across teams and factories.
• Establish training, governance, and feedback mechanisms to sustain processes as the organization scales.
• Collaborate with other PMOs and enterprise functions to adopt, adapt, or build capabilities based on business needs.

What your background should look like

Required Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in engineering, manufacturing engineering, NPI, industrialization, engineering operations, or related technical disciplines.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a closely related technical field, or equivalent relevant technical experience.
• Experience building and running a PMO for engineering development and large scale manufacturing
• Demonstrated experience designing and standardizing engineering and manufacturing processes across multiple functions.
• Strong understanding of product development, NPI, engineering change management, qualification, manufacturing readiness, and production handoffs related to high volume manufacturing.
• Experience establishing engineering/manufacturing workflows, operating models, standards, and governance.
• Experience implementing or improving systems and tools supporting engineering and manufacturing execution.
• Proven ability to influence technical leaders, drive organizational change, and work effectively across matrix organizations.
• Experience building, leading, and developing teams.
• Strong structured thinking, problem-solving, facilitation, and executive communication skills.

Highly Preferred

• Experience in complex hardware, precision automation, optics, semiconductor equipment, electronics, or advanced manufacturing.
• Experience supporting both product development and manufacturing-equipment development.
• Experience scaling engineering/manufacturing processes across multiple sites or factories.
• Experience with platforms such as Asana, JIRA, SharePoint, Databricks, Planisware, SAP, SalesForce or similar tools
• Familiarity with PLM, ERP, MES, engineering change-control systems, and program-management tools.
• Knowledge of stage-gate development, EVT/DVT/PVT, design transfer, process qualification, and manufacturing quality systems.
• Experience operating in both fast-growth environments and large enterprises.
• Experience leveraging enterprise processes and systems while establishing new capabilities in a growing organization.

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Competencies

SET : Strategy, Execution, Talent (for managers)