Director of Engineering & Technology

Position: Director of Engineering and Technology

Location: Waterford, WI

Job Type: Full-time, On-site

Position Overview: The role of the Director of Engineering and Technology is to provide hands‑on leadership for a multidisciplinary engineering organization, leading mechanical, electrical, and software engineering functions while setting clear technical direction and long‑term technology vision. This role is responsible for defining and executing engineering strategy, technology roadmaps, and engineering projects, while remaining actively engaged in day‑to‑day problem solving, coaching, and technical decision‑making. The Director of Engineering and Technology ensures that engineering solutions are reliable, scalable, and aligned with business and customer requirements, balancing practical execution with strategic leadership.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Drive new products and current product revisions quickly in a rapid development environment within our new product process.
• Coordinate the research and development efforts from concept through production to deliver a complete solution for all areas of engineering, including mechanical, electrical and software.  
• Lead the creation, management and execution of a new product pipeline in accordance with the long-term business strategy.
• Provide leadership and management of existing product maintenance and EoL (end of life) sustainment considerations for product continuity and strategic growth. 
• Accountable for the successful execution of all engineering projects and project launch plans to include mechanical, electrical and software.  Responsible for hand-off to operations, and supporting all aspects of commercial launch readiness, beta/pilot testing and required documentation for technical and after-sales service support. Resolve issues between different groups at the director level. 
• Maintain an accurate project status tracking system.  Collect, monitor and report on performance at the engineering department level for mechanical, electrical and software departments.  Ensure optimal utilization of resources.
• Recommend and implement best practices and standard design enhancements to improve design, fit, form, function and/or quality.  Direct the implementation of ABM (ATS Business Model - 6 sigma, lean and continuous improvement) projects as directed by the General Manager. 
• Manage staff including all areas of engineering (mechanical, electrical, software), development and design. Prioritize and allocate resources, provide for the selection, training, professional development, mentoring and work evaluation of staff; hire, terminate, promote and discipline as required.
• Support and align with Commercial and Product Management functions to ensure Voice of Customer (VoC) data is captured and used in the product development projects via focus groups, surveys, beta sites, site visits and other methods to develop best-in-class products.
• Perform SWOT analysis on products and engineering initiatives as required by the General Manager. 
• Perform SWOT analysis on strategic third-party suppliers as directed by the General Manager.
• Lead the continued establishment and improvement of engineering SOP’s and standards for product realization, product life cycle management, quality and compliance to market / industry standards.
• Prepare annual budget and is responsible for continual tracking of budget related information.
• Develop and maintain adherence to policies, procedures, and standards that support the overall management system to effectively manage the department resources as well as the products developed and maintained.
• Facilitate product development compliance to meet pertinent industry specific regulatory requirements standards, applicable law, regulations and consistent with corporate policies.
• Participate in company Avidity Leadership Committee meetings.
• Monitor industry trends and competitive landscape through trade shows, conferences, and industry publications.
• Participate in company strategic planning.
• Manage and support company initiatives including ERP, ISO, and 5S.
• Responsible for ensuring that timely, accurate and effective role-based training of new employees and ongoing training for current employees is conducted as new SOP’s, Policies, Work Instructions, etc. are introduced or revised.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Ability to train, develop and lead a multi team department.
• Knowledge of standard manufacturing and business tools, including Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge and understanding of compliance standards including UL and CE.
• Knowledge and understanding of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering processes.
• Knowledge and understanding of research and development processes.
• In-depth industry knowledge and understanding of customer needs and requirements.
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in written business correspondence.
• Ability to learn quickly, independently, and adapt to changing environments.
• Ability to apply and articulate a customer value proposition for Edstrom solutions.
• Ability to read and interpret bid plans, blueprints, schematics and facility drawings.
• Ability to interface with customers and contractors.
• Ability to manage projects to scheduled commitments and budgets.
• Ability to develop financial data and follow a budget.
• Strong technical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate technical product knowledge to both technical and non-technical customers.
• Ability to develop, manage and measure business plans and strategies.
• Ability to set and adjust department workload priorities to meet immediate and long-term goals.
• Professional level presentation skills.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related and a minimum of 10 - 15 years of progressive product development and engineering experience, product management or a combination of experience in these areas.  

What We Offer:

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, accident insurance, critical illness, and hospital indemnity
• 401k with company match
• Performance Bonus Plan
• PTO and paid holidays
• Supportive and Inclusive work culture
• Community Involvement Opportunities, Paid volunteer time, Flextime
• Tuition Reimbursement 
• Balance of a collaborative & independent working environment
• And more! 

About Avidity Science: For over 50 years, Avidity Science has been the global leader in water purification technologies in the biomedical, life sciences and clinical research markets. We are proud to be a trusted partner to the global science community, delivering high quality, innovative products and unrivaled service. At Avidity Science, what you do matters. Our team of over 300 talented employees around the world each play a vital role in delivering on our Vision of enabling science to improve the quality of life. Avidity Science is an ATS Company, a publicly traded company.

Our Company Values: Safety, Accountability, Respect, Integrity, Passion and Collaboration are the values we live every day, around the world. We are passionate about our most important asset – our people – and cultivate an environment that provides development opportunities to grow professionally.