The Engineering Director will successfully manage the Divisional engineering groups that serves global multinational manufacturers and OEMs across diverse industries with precision dispensing equipment largely focused on electrostatic powder dispensing and 2pc can production, combined with significant market share, strong brand recognition and application expertise. As part of the leadership team working on strategic growth and operating plan execution, the Director of Engineering is responsible for the execution and performance of the new product development, sustaining engineering, and electrical/controls/software in addition to meeting key performance indicators (KPIs) set for the group. This includes supporting new product development projects through the stage gate process, ensuring they meet key milestone dates, cost targets, and quality requirements. The position is also responsible for the processing of engineered systems from quote to installation that meet the customer’s requirements in terms of quality, delivery, start up, and performance.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the next era of innovation at ICS by directing a high-performing engineering organization focused on breakthrough technologies that build upon our legacy and extend our global leadership in industrial coating, spraying, and dispensing equipment solutions - transforming bold ideas and development into scalable market-defining products.
- Manage product development team in the design, validation, and release of projects utilizing the stage-gate process.
- Ensure design projects exceed expected product requirements and cost targets.
- Ensure design projects are fully verified and validated before designs are commercialized; this includes documentation, such as releases, manuals, and spare part lists.
- Support marketing in the evaluation of new design opportunities that could result in new commercial products.
- Manage the new product development and T&E budgets for the engineering teams.
- Manage application engineering team in the quoting and processing of engineered systems orders meeting customer specification and delivery requirements.
- Display strong customer passion, responsiveness, and superior communication in support of quoting, project management, and issue resolution within the application engineering team.
- Utilize the Nordson Business System Next (NBS Next) to drive growth and continuous improvement.
- Discipline on quantifying the value of our customers and products – (VOC and product vitality).
- Ensure focus on our core customers and products and the most attractive growth opportunities.
- Rely on data driven decisions that will drive sustained profitable organic growth.
- Demonstrate strong talent management ability working to develop employees while increasing engagement.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering
- Minimum of 10 years engineering experience is required.
- Minimum of 10 years previous management experience is required.
- Experience in practicing and implementing Lean methodologies with measurable results is preferred.
- Previous experience in industrial manufacturing environment is preferred.
Preferred Skills and Abilities
- Strong interpersonal skills to work across organization in matrix structure.
- Problem solving abilities and use of analytical thinking.
- Ability to think creatively.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to prioritize and organize tasks required to manage projects.
- Experience in value stream execution and process management.
- Ability to influence.
- Change management skills.
- Ability to manage projects accurately and confidently
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
Office & Lab Environment: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Travel Required
Estimated 25%
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical or electrical engineering
- Minimum of 10 years engineering experience
- Minimum of 10 years previous management experience
- Experience managing product development using the stage-gate process
- Experience with new product development, sustaining engineering, and electrical/controls/software
- Experience practicing and implementing Lean methodologies
- Previous experience in an industrial manufacturing environment
- Strong talent management, communication, problem-solving, and change management skills
Nordson Corporation Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Nordson Corporation and has not been reviewed or approved by Nordson Corporation.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) features automatic enrollment at 6%, a 50% match on up to 6% of pay, and an additional 3% company contribution for eligible U.S. employees even without employee contributions. Feedback suggests this retirement structure is above what many mid-size manufacturers offer.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid holidays and a typical year-end shutdown between Christmas and New Year’s at many U.S. locations expand time off beyond standard PTO. Feedback suggests this shutdown is a distinctive work-life perk, though availability can vary by site or business unit.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Volunteer release time and a 3:1 charitable gift-matching program are offered alongside recognition programs, tuition assistance, and community initiatives. Feedback suggests these elements add value beyond core insurance and PTO.
Nordson Corporation Insights
What We Do
Nordson is a team of 7,300 global employees thriving in an environment where they are supported and encouraged to be their best. Working side by side, we build meaningful connections with each other and our customers. Together, we deliver products that are solutions, and they’re likely touching your life every day. Have you ever changed a diaper? Opened a box of cereal? Used a smart phone or driven a car? Then we’ve already met. At Nordson, we take pride in being an outstanding corporate citizen and strongly believe in sharing our success with the communities where our employees live and work. Whether you’re working in one of our labs, offices or manufacturing facilities, your efforts will enable our customers to succeed and our company to continuously improve and grow. We engineer, manufacture and market differentiated products and systems used for precision dispensing and processing in a variety of end markets, from packaging to transportation and medical to electronics. Founded in 1954, we operate under the values of integrity, respect for people, customer passion, energy and excellence. Nordson is headquartered in the United States in Westlake, Ohio, and has direct operations in more than 30 countries to support our products and systems with application expertise and a direct global sales and service organization
