Engineering Manager

Founded in 1983, Kele Inc. is a leading distribution, and solutions partner with national reach and a global presence. Built around our customers and powered by our people, Kele provides millions of in-stock parts from more than 300 brands to drive automation & efficiency in nearly every type of facility, from office towers and factories to data centers and hospitals.

Our goal is to empower progress for maintenance managers, engineers, contractors, and all those building the future. We do this by delivering parts rapidly, providing custom assemblies upstream, and offering unmatched support to ensure projects run smoothly and downtime is minimized.

With 12 locations nationwide and headquarters in Tennessee, Kele combines deep technical expertise, rapid logistics, and a solutions-first mindset to help customers simplify supply chains, meet tight schedules, and deliver high-quality outcomes.

Kele fosters a culture rooted in collaboration, innovation, and customer obsession, empowering associates at every level to contribute, grow, and make a meaningful impact.

We are currently hiring for the role of Engineering Manager.

SUMMARY

The Engineering Manager will primarily be responsible for leading our controls engineering function within a dynamic organization. This leadership role will provide functional management for the controls engineers (both system design and programming), ensuring technical excellence while supporting on-time delivery across multiple programs (i.e., integrated systems, engineered solutions, and field services). Building and maintaining an engineering team capable of delivering innovative solutions to the Kele footprint is a key aspect of this role.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Serve as the functional leader responsible for the supervision, professional development, and technical qualification of the engineering staff.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to ensure engineering deliverables meet quality standards and customer requirements while fostering innovation and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a technical lead within the organization, solving complex technical issues, participating in design reviews, and representing the team in interactions with partners and customers.
• Establish and maintain engineering systems and processes that ensure alignment with industry standards and facilitate future growth of the engineering organization.
• Collaborate closely with project managers and other functional leaders (e.g., sales, field services) to allocate resources effectively, balance workloads, and resolve competing priorities.
• Support the Kele sales function, participating in customer interactions, conducting site walkdowns, and providing input to estimates for systems, solutions, and services.

REQUIREMENTS

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of progressive engineering experience.
• Minimum 2 years in engineering leadership capacity.
• Substantial experience in the process control industry, ideally combustion applications.
• Demonstrated proficiency in control system design and development, including:
  • Translation of PFDs and P&IDs into control systems requirements.
  • Development of architecture, panel layouts, network topology, and I/O allocation.
  • Selection and specification of instrumentation and final control elements.
  • Support of custom panel design and build, including UL508A documentation.
  • Design of boiler and burner flame safety and combustion control systems.
  • Familiarity with fuel train, gas detection, heat trace, and industrial wireless systems.
• Proven competence in control system programming, including:
  • Development of PLC, safety, and logic applications for BMS and combustion control.
  • Configuration of SCADA and HMI applications.
  • Creation of control narratives, I/O lists, alarm philosophy, and interlock logic.
  • Execution of single-point jackshaft, parallel, and fully metered cross-limited schemes.
  • Commissioning of systems (e.g., I/O checkout, loop tuning, FAT/SAT, startup, training).

Technical Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of burner management and combustion standards: NFPA 85, 86, and 87.
• Expertise in electrical design standards (e.g., NEC, UL508A) in panel and field wiring applications.
• Understanding of functional safety concepts consistent with ISA 84 or IEC 61511.
• Familiarity with oxygen trim, cross-limited metering, and air-fuel ratio tuning.
• Proficient in reading and producing P&IDs, electrical schematics, and network diagrams.
• Competence in selection and sizing of instrumentation and control valves/dampers.
• Hands-on PLC experience (AB CompactLogix /ControlLogix, Honeywell HC900 /ControlEdge).
• Hands-on HMI and SCADA experience (Iconics, Ignition, Red Lion Crimson).
• Exposure to gas detection, heat trace, and industrial wireless systems.
• Experience with documentation management including revision control.

Leadership and Management:

• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams and develop engineering talent.
• Strong technical communication skills, ability to explain complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience conducting performance reviews and creating professional development plans.
• Capability to develop and deploy systems and processes for engineering execution.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or mechanical engineering is preferred.
• Associate’s degree in related technical field with significant work experience is acceptable.

Kele Companies offers all full-time associates the following benefits and perks:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• HSA
• FSA (medical and dependent care)
• 401(k) with employer match up to 4% with immediate vesting
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance; supplemental life for employees and dependents available
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement