Project Engineering Lead – Electric Motor R&D

Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. What does that mean? Well, we pump peanut butter into your jar, and the oil in your car. We glue the soles of your shoes, the glass in your windows and the screen on your phone. We spray the finish on your vehicle, coatings on your pills, the paint on your house and texture on your walls. Graco is part of your daily life.

About ETM & Graco

ETM develops transverse flux electric motors with torque density and efficiency that conventional motor architectures can't match. Our business model is technology development and licensing; our product is the IP, the engineering, and the manufacturing knowledge we transfer to partners. We stay involved beyond technology transfer, supporting partners through production, ongoing development, and a flexible licensing model that evolves with the relationship. It's a rare model, and it attracts engineers who want to see their work scaled without being tied to a single production line.

We're part of Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG), a Fortune 1000 industrial manufacturer with 3,000+ employees worldwide. That backing gives us resources and stability without sacrificing the pace and focus of a specialized R&D team.

Ready to Join Us?

We are seeking a Project Engineering Lead for our R&D Center of Excellence in Flagstaff, Arizona. You'll work within a specialized team of ~20 engineers (part of a broader 30-person division) in a hybrid leadership role: acting as both Project Manager and People Leader, navigating technical risk, budgets, and customer requirements while managing a team of 3-6 mechanical and electrical engineers.

What You Will Do at Graco

Project Management & Customer Interface

• Lead complex R&D projects from concept through to technology transfer/licensing, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and technical specifications.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for external customers, suppliers, and outside agencies.

• Manage project constraints, balancing product performance (torque, efficiency, thermal) against cost targets and schedule pressures.

• Manage and report status of various aspects of projects (part tracking, prototype builds, documentation creation, testing, risk assessment, process development).

• Conduct rigorous risk management (FMEA, critical path analysis) to navigate the uncertainties inherent in developing novel technologies.

People Leadership & Development

• Directly manage a team of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers with a wide range of experience levels.

• Conduct performance reviews, mentor staff for career growth, and foster a collaborative, high-performance culture.

• Provide ongoing coaching to engineers, offering guidance and support as they work through challenging technical issues. Facilitate problem-solving sessions and encourage innovative approaches to complex engineering problems.

• Coordinate with technical leads in Electromagnetic Design, Mechanical/Manufacturing, and Electrical Engineering (Hardware/Firmware) to ensure project resource needs are met.

Operational Excellence & Strategy

• Drive continuous improvement in the Flagstaff office operations, including resource leveling, engineering process development, and facility management.

• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for project tracking and documentation to support the licensing business model.

• Collaborate with Graco HQ (Minneapolis) to align local R&D practices with corporate quality, design, and manufacturing standards where applicable.

What You Will Bring to Graco

• Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field.

• 7+ years of engineering experience with at least 2+ years in a project management or technical leadership role.

• Experience in electromechanical product development, R&D, or manufacturing environments.

• Technical Fluency: Ability to "speak the language" of the technical teams, understanding the interplay between Electromagnetic modeling, Mechanical constraints, and Motor Control (PCBA/Firmware) design.

• Project Tools: Proficiency in project management software and resource planning tools.

• Communication: Exceptional ability to distill complex technical data into clear updates for executive leadership and external clients.

• Operations Mindset: A demonstrated history of improving "how work gets done"—developing templates and processes, optimizing workflows, or managing facility resources.

Accelerators

• Experience with complex electromechanical systems

• Experience with a technology licensing business model.

• Familiarity with SolidWorks and Altium (for design review purposes).

The Location

Flagstaff is a deliberate choice for a lot of people on our team. At 7,000 feet in the Arizona high country, it offers four seasons and immediate access to hiking, skiing, and climbing. Downtown is a hub of activity with galleries, theaters, live music, and a genuine small-city community with a strong sense of place. If that kind of environment appeals to you, it's worth factoring in. This is a full-time, in-person role based in Flagstaff.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This role is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., H-1B, TN, F-1 OPT).

At Graco, you truly make a difference. Your unique talents contribute to our organizational growth and future. Not only do you make a difference, but Graco’s culture empowers employees to create their own career path. Whether you choose to advance within your current department or explore new opportunities in different divisions, you have the ability to build your future. Our managers are here to provide support and guidance as you continue to grow within your career.

Graco has excellent opportunities available to individuals who want to be part of a fast-moving, growing company that is committed to quality, innovation and solving fluid handling problems for our customers. Graco is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by Fortune Magazine in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 & 2022. Graco offers attractive compensation, benefits and career development opportunities. Graco’s comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, stock purchase plan, 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more.

Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment and eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

The base pay range for this position is listed below, exclusive of fringe benefits or other compensation.  If you are hired, your final base hourly rate will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, competencies, education, and/or experience.  In addition to those factors, we will also consider internal equity of our current employees.  Please keep in mind that the range provided is the full base salary range for the role.  Hiring at or near the maximum of the range would not be typical to allow for future and continued salary growth.