Engineering Manager

Location: Stratford, CT

Salary: $ Depending on Experience -plu Annual Performance Bonus

Employment Type: Direct Hire, Full-Time

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 1st Shift

Position Summary: We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Engineering Manager to lead our engineering team within a sheet metal manufacturing environment. This individual will oversee engineering activities from initial customer drawing review and quoting support through manufacturing process development, production launch, and ongoing process improvement. The Engineering Manager will work closely with Production, Quality, Program Management, and other internal departments to ensure products are designed for manufacturability, engineering requirements are clearly communicated, and manufacturing processes are efficient, repeatable, and cost-effective. The ideal candidate has a strong background in sheet metal fabrication and manufacturing engineering, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to lead a team while remaining actively involved in day-to-day technical challenges.

Engineering Leadership & Team Development: Lead, manage, and develop the engineering team, establishing clear priorities, expectations, and accountability. Assign and coordinate engineering projects to ensure deadlines, customer requirements, and production needs are met. Provide technical guidance, coaching, and support to engineering personnel. Establish and maintain standardized engineering procedures, documentation practices, and workflows. Collaborate with company leadership to identify engineering resources, equipment, software, and training needs.

Manufacturing & Process Engineering: Oversee manufacturing engineering activities related to sheet metal fabrication, including laser cutting, punching, forming, hardware insertion, welding, finishing, and assembly. Develop and improve manufacturing processes, production methods, tooling, fixtures, and work instructions. Evaluate part designs and manufacturing requirements to identify opportunities to improve manufacturability, reduce scrap, minimize setup time, and improve production efficiency. Support the development and implementation of new products and manufacturing processes from initial review through production release. Troubleshoot complex manufacturing and engineering issues, working directly with Production and Quality to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, quality, cost reduction, and process consistency.

Customer & Technical Requirements: Review customer drawings, specifications, models, and engineering changes to confirm requirements and manufacturing feasibility. Support quoting and estimating activities by evaluating manufacturing methods, material requirements, tooling, and process complexity. Work with Program Management and customer-facing personnel to resolve technical questions, clarify requirements, and communicate engineering changes. Ensure engineering changes are properly reviewed, documented, approved, and communicated to affected departments. Assist with customer technical reviews and support first-article inspections, new product launches, and production validation activities as needed.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Production to resolve day-to-day manufacturing challenges and support on-time delivery. Work with Quality to address nonconformances, investigate root causes, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurring issues. Coordinate with Purchasing and other departments on material specifications, outside processing, tooling, and technical supplier requirements. Support Program Managers with project timelines, engineering deliverables, customer requirements, and production readiness. Ensure engineering documentation, drawings, bills of materials, routings, and work instructions are accurate and aligned with approved manufacturing processes.

Continuous Improvement & Compliance: Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing flow, reduce costs, increase throughput, and improve overall equipment and labor utilization. Use data, process analysis, and structured problem-solving methods to evaluate performance and implement sustainable improvements. Support quality management system requirements, internal and external audits, and customer-specific requirements. Ensure engineering activities follow applicable safety requirements, quality standards, and documented procedures. Evaluate emerging technologies, equipment, and manufacturing methods that may improve the organization's capabilities and competitiveness.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent relevant manufacturing engineering experience may be considered. Five or more years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in sheet metal fabrication or precision manufacturing. Prior engineering leadership or supervisory experience preferred. Strong understanding of sheet metal manufacturing processes, including laser cutting, punching, press brake forming, hardware insertion, welding, and assembly. Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, GD&T, customer specifications, and 3D models. Experience with CAD software and manufacturing engineering tools; familiarity with SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or comparable platforms preferred. Knowledge of manufacturing process development, tooling and fixture design, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies. Experience with ERP/MRP systems, engineering change control, and manufacturing documentation. Strong organizational, project management, communication, and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven manufacturing environment.

Key Competencies: Strong technical and analytical ability. Hands-on leadership and team development. Practical, solutions-oriented problem-solving. Effective cross-functional communication. Accountability for project timelines and engineering deliverables. Commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement. Ability to balance immediate production needs with long-term engineering improvements.

Company Overview: Founded in 2010, Top Prospect Group was created with a focus on matching high-quality candidates with top-tier clients while fostering an environment where success is shared by all. In 2023, the company was acquired by HW Staffing Solutions, expanding its service offerings to include technology, engineering, and professional services. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply immediately! Please include a clean copy of your resume, salary expectations, and availability with your application.