Engineering - Director of Engineering

Business Title: Director of Engineering

Reports to: Global VP of Engineering

Leadership Scope: Individual Contributor

Company Info: With a heritage of nearly 120 years, we aren't just a company; we are a brand of trust. But more than anything, we are a collection of individuals who, together, give Grote Industries a decisive competitive advantage. At Grote, our shared vision is clear - to meet the needs of the customers we serve. We accomplish that mission every day by following a set of core values that makes us who we are.

Innovation has been the hallmark of Grote Industries from the start. From durable, easy to see stop lights to the latest in LED lighting technology, Grote has been leading the way in advanced vehicle system solutions from early in the last century right up to today. With these innovations, Grote has helped millions of people throughout North America and the world benefit from the innovation and design excellence of Grote products.

Position Summary: The Director of Engineering provides strategic and operational leadership for the engineering department, focusing on the design, development, and implementation of vehicle lighting and electrical systems for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket applications. This role oversees engineering managers, engineers, and engineering technologists, driving technical excellence, project execution, and innovation. The Director works closely with clients, manages project portfolios, allocates resources effectively, solves complex engineering challenges, establishes and manages engineering processes and procedures (including within GPDS), and ensures the delivery of high-quality, market-leading products.

Position Duties: - Provide strategic direction and leadership to the engineering department, aligning engineering activities with overall business objectives.

- Supervise and mentor engineering managers, engineers, and engineering technologists, fostering a high-performance and collaborative team environment

- Oversee the entire lifecycle of engineering projects, from concept to production, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.

- Work directly with clients to understand their needs, translate requirements into technical specifications, and ensure project alignment with customer expectations

- Manage a portfolio of engineering projects, prioritizing initiatives, assigning resources effectively, and monitoring progress against key milestones.

- Drive problem-solving efforts for complex technical issues, providing guidance and expertise to the engineering teams.

- Develop, implement, and maintain engineering processes, procedures, and best practices, ensuring efficiency, consistency, and quality.

- Manage and ensure compliance with processes within the Global Product Development System (GPDS).

- Utilize state-of-the-art management systems and techniques to achieve flawless and timely execution of rapid product cycles

- Perform administrative and oversight functions in approving proposals, expenditures, enforcing policies, and managing the hiring and firing of engineers

- Manage a team of engineers researching and applying new, disruptive LED technology and associated systems for truck, auto, off-road, and interior lighting products.

Requirements: A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. Master's degree in Engineering Management or a related field is preferred. Minimum of 10-15 years of progressive experience in engineering roles within the automotive lighting or electrical systems industry, with significant experience in both OEM and aftermarket applications. Advanced training in project management methodologies, leadership development, financial management, and relevant industry standards and regulations. Professional Engineering (PE) license is highly preferred. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus