Applications Engineering Manager

Oversee the activities of the Application Engineering designers with a focus on integration & custom solutions, ensuring they adhere to project specifications, plans, and timelines. Devise and implement a plan to foster this critical design skill set, and the related resources, to ensure sustained productivity and future product viability. Conceptualize, develop, implement and maintain product designs, using sound electro-mechanical engineering principles and practices, in support of company business development efforts, marketing plans, and department plans. Analyze specifications, as well as business, technology and cost requirements, and implement appropriate, approved designs in a timely and cost effective manner. Take steps to ensure product reliability, performance, and customer acceptance.

Responsibilities:

• Completes designs and drawings (use 3D and/or 2D design software) for the manufacture of mechanical & electrical systems utilizing mechanical & electrical design resources.
• Provide leadership, coaching, development, and management for Applications Engineering staff
• Oversee and control the department design work of jobs utilizing the ERP, Build Specifications, drawings, bills of material, general arrangement drawings, custom design of mechanical & electrical features, commissioning check sheets.
• Planning, prioritization, and management of the workload queue
• Resource planning, allocation and tracking
• Develop, document, implement and enforce group processes and procedures
• Results – Delivers results and is committed to achieving our goals. Manages project plans and workload effectively, ensuring adherence to timelines and milestones. Constructively addresses issues when they arise.
• Behaviors - Models our company values and behaviors and holds their team to the same standard. A calm, thoughtful, curious approach to tasks and challenges with an optimistic, can-do attitude. Leads by example.
• Communication - Timely, clear and proactive communication that minimizes “surprises”. Someone who leverages our vital conversations philosophy and training.
• Technical Skills - Advanced technical expertise and understanding with the ability to take complex vision, theory, and challenges and translate them into actionable, understandable steps for their team. Ability to coach and advise staff in the execution of their activities, and provide input to supervisors and customers in the composition of their requests.
• People Development - Identifies team member strengths and weaknesses, and appropriately coaches and develops them. Helps team members plan to attain their future development goals.
• Customer Focused – Empathy and advocacy for both internal and external customers.
• Organizational - Develops relationships within the company to be effective and identifies the need for, and develops systems and tools to support the team. Strong company and product knowledge.

Requirements:

• Minimum College Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology or related field. Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering an asset.
• Solidworks training courses an asset.
• P.Eng. designation an asset.
• AutoCAD certification preferred.
• Maintain valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle.
• Maintain valid passport with ability to travel in North America as needed, less than 10%.
• 10+ years of related experience as a Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical Designer or related position.
• Exceptional skills using Solidworks PDM Professional in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in system integration of electro-mechanical equipment and conveyors.
• Proven experience working in Lean manufacturing environment, methods, and process improvement programs.
• Proficiency computer and metrics skills: ERP Syteline CSI, Teams, Microsoft 365 (Co-Pilot, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Smartsheet
• Previous design experience applying Finite Element Analysis & Geometric Tolerancing and Dimensioning.

Core Competencies, Interpersonal & Intrapersonal Skills:

• A role model for Gorbel® values
• Project, task, and staff management skills
• Above average communication effectiveness; speaks, listens and writes in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• History of communicating up, down and throughout the organization encouraging candor and clarity.
• Foster Teamwork: work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problem, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.
• Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities matrix with solid analytical skills.
• Proven track record to build strong positive relationships with internal and external customers, actively listens to and understands impact on others.
• Able to assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
• Manufacturing and business acumen with a positive attitude, behaves ethically and a willingness to learn.
• Proactive, self-starter, with initiative and ability to operate with minimal supervision.
• Able to navigate a team of technical professionals involved in multiple projects.
• Organized and able to communicate multiple timelines and schedules.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborate within a team environment to pursue solutions to challenges.
• Managing the scope and pace of change aligning priorities and resources to effectively multitask with attention to detail, while concurrently meeting the requirements of timely deadlines.

• Ability to work under pressure with high tolerance for interruptions, and the ability to work with diverse groups of people with ambiguity and have a flexible approach.
• Creates an open, positive work environment to stimulate open discussions.
• Commits to a course of action despite incomplete information, if required.
• Demonstrates integrity, elicits trust and emotional capacity.
• Encourages constructive questioning to achieve collective success.
• Demonstrates the ability to cross train others and can articulate mandates, goals, and outcomes of their position.
• Practice’s flexibility, transparency and fairness in all day-to-day activities and actions.
• Encourages and incorporates diverse and creative initiatives and perspectives.

Working Conditions:

• Works in office and manufacturing facility with flexibility for travel to off-site meetings
• Usually works a standard forty (40) hour work week
• May be required to work some overtime hours to attend meetings or meet organizational needs
• May experience tight deadlines and stressful conditions at times
• Must be able to manage frequent interruptions and multiple tasks daily
• Ability to move around factory workstations, and lift from 25 to 50 pounds, walking and stairs
• Sitting, working at desk/personal computer for extended periods