Applications Engineering Manager

Job description

Gorbel’s mission is simple: We improve people’s lives. That mission guides everything we do, from the products and service we provide to our outside customers to the work environment we foster for our employees. We are a manufacturer of material handling and fall protection products for the production and warehouse/distribution sectors. We’re on the cutting edge of manufacturing and distribution; a thriving, growing company that is constantly seeking out new ways to innovate and elevate our products and our processes – and we’re looking for people like you to join us in that mission. We’re currently hiring for open positions in the US and Canada. We operate in Canada as Engineered Lifting Systems and Equipment (ELS)/DBA Gorbel® Canada, and subsequent communication related to Canadian positions may show the ELS name. You may be contacted by phone by recruitment personnel based in either Canada or New York. Work Shift: Day Shift (Canada) Job Description: 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. Establish, track, and publish departmental metrics, taking necessary steps to achieve goals Conceptualize and develop products using sound mechanical engineering principles Develop and maintain cost projections against an established target throughout development Ensure product quality, in part thru functional as well as accelerated life and abusive testing Provide quality assurance for all group output Address acute product issues and requests for support Lead and support cost reduction initiatives Drive focused innovation and experimentation Participate in various projects as requested by the Engineering Manager Train designers working on Applications Engineering. Independently develop workable design concepts. Check for mistakes which cause rework and mistakes. Document changes to projects or jobs and ensure proper documentation occurs. Make recommendations on products, designs, and materials for cost improvement. Liaise with the manufacturing team to ensure design is executed correctly and within timelines. Collaborate with purchasing supporting supply chain sourcing including deviation technical support. Proactively provide technical support for shop production. Assist in the development of specifications for new products and product enhancements Support vendors in component fabrication Proactively manage all the necessary materials. Proactively list and implement all project tasks Serve as a technical resource to other departments Oversee the designers’ day to day workload and productivity Create and maintain project plans, task listings and timelines Document and enforce company and departmental processes and procedures Perform periodic and annual performance reviews Conduct periodic group meetings and huddles Respond to management prioritization of product design enhancements Establish an employee development program Develop an approved 3-5 year staffing plan and maintain appropriate staffing levels Develop and maintain organized supporting design calculations Oversee the creation and maintenance of CAD product models and layouts in Solidworks Oversee the creation and maintenance of CAD product detail drawings in AutoCAD Oversee the finite element analysis of Solidworks models Oversee the creation and maintenance of product bills of material and routings in our ERP system Manage engineering change notices Generate manuals to accompany product, when required. Comprehend the project objectives, create and manage design standards and direct the design to this end. Control design and build targets related to customer requirements. Attend project kick off meetings, site visits, department meetings and project debrief meetings. Collaborate with the installation team and respond to questions and/or problems before and during the installation stage of projects as required. 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 Salary Range: $116,515 - $194,192 This job posting is for a replacement position within our organization. We appreciate the interest of all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Engineered Lifting Systems & Equipment Inc, dba Gorbel Canada is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, without regard to race, color, religion, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or family status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable provincial law. Our company values diversity of thought, encourages new perspectives, and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all employees feel respected, supported, and empowered. We are committed to pay transparency and equitable compensation practices. The salary range listed reflects anticipated compensation based on market benchmarks and internal equity. Actual pay may vary depending on experience, skills, and qualifications. Additional compensation such as benefits and bonuses may apply. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process. Should you require accommodation, please contact Human Resources at 519-669-5545. Please note that we use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist in specific stages of our recruitment process. All hiring decisions are made by our Human Resources team, and your information is handled in compliance with Ontario privacy laws.