Leads manufacturing and product engineering for a bath-products facility. Responsibilities include improving processes and equipment, resolving production and quality issues, driving automation and capital investments, developing products from concept through launch, managing engineering documentation and validation, and partnering with suppliers and cross-functional teams. The role also builds and leads engineering teams, establishes roadmaps and standards, and provides hands-on leadership on the manufacturing floor.
Established in 1956, Jacuzzi® Group operates through two distinct divisions: Jacuzzi® Spa, the preeminent global authority in high-end wellness equipment—including premier hot tubs, swim spas, and saunas—and Jacuzzi® Bath, which provides specialized bathing solutions and national remodeling expertise. Jacuzzi Bath is the fastest growing division focusing on the highest standard of customer satisfaction.
The Director of Manufacturing Engineering is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for solving complex manufacturing challenges, driving continuous improvement, developing new products and processes, and building the engineering capabilities needed to support the future growth of Jacuzzi Bath.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineering leader who thrives in a dynamic manufacturing environment and can effectively operate across all levels of the organization, from the manufacturing floor and test lab to suppliers and executive leadership. This individual will take ownership of complex technical challenges from initial problem definition through implementation and validation of results, while building, developing, and leading a high-performing engineering team.
This position is onsite in Roselle, Illinois and requires travel as business needs require.
KEY Duties And Responsibilities for Director of Manufacturing Engineering:
- Plant & Manufacturing Engineering
- Lead engineering operations for the Roselle manufacturing facility, including processes, equipment, tooling, and manufacturing technology.
- Support and improve Bath manufacturing processes such as thermoforming, foaming, CNC machining, assembly, finishing, and packaging.
- Lead root-cause investigations and implement effective corrective actions for complex production and quality issues.
- Identify manufacturing bottlenecks and develop solutions through process improvements, automation, equipment upgrades, and capital investments.
- Develop and maintain manufacturing standards, SOPs, work instructions, tooling, and process specifications.
- Partner with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Safety to resolve issues and sustain improvements.
- Product Development & Engineering
- Lead new product development from concept and design through testing, validation, production launch, and ongoing support.
- Lead design reviews, prototype builds, testing, and production-readiness activities.
- Oversee engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, CAD data, engineering changes, and related information within ERP and other systems.
- Partner with suppliers on product design, testing, quality, and production validation.
- Engineering Leadership
- Build, develop, and lead a high-performing engineering team across Mechanical, Product, Manufacturing/Process, and Test Engineering.
- Develop and execute an engineering roadmap that supports both current manufacturing needs and future business growth.
- Partner with Operations, Quality, Product Management, Marketing, Supply Chain, Sourcing, and other Jacuzzi departments to achieve business goals.
- Hands-on leadership style with a strong presence on the manufacturing floor, including regular Gemba walks and direct engagement with employees and production teams.
***Compensation is based on experience: $145,000 + and bonus potential
Requirements
- 12+ years of engineering experience in a design to manufacture industry.
- 5+ years of engineering leadership experience managing engineers, technical teams, or major engineering programs.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field (Masters or MBA preferred.)
- Six Sigma Black belt certification preferred.
- Proven experience taking physical products from concept and design through testing, production launch, and ongoing improvement.
- Strong manufacturing/process engineering experience, including equipment, tooling, automation, process development, and continuous improvement.
- Experience leading root-cause investigations and implementing corrective actions that deliver measurable results.
- Experience with CAD, engineering drawings, GD&T, BOMs, engineering changes, and ERP/MRP systems.
- Experience with product testing, validation, reliability, and certification requirements.
Benefits
- 401(k) with matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
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