Vice president or engineering
Location
Rogers, AR | United States
Job description
Full job description
Job Description
Job Title : Vice President of Engineering
Department : Engineering
Reports To : President and CEO
FLSA Status : Exempt
Date: 3/4/2024
This job description is a general description of essential job functions. It is not intended as an employment contract nor to describe all duties someone in this position may perform. All employees of APC are expected to perform tasks as assigned by APC supervisory/management personnel, regardless of job title or routine job duties.
Summary/Objective
Responsible for overseeing the Product Development process and managing research and development projects to bring products to market that meet target market needs as defined by Marketing, and specifications set by management, promote growth in market share, meet or exceed quality and performance objectives, support sound supply strategy, and meet cost targets within stated timelines. This is a company-wide position supporting all brand lines of APC including, but not limited to, Jotto Desk, Mart Cart, and Spray Master Technologies.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Ensure outputs of product development meet project requirements and timelines, including mechanical, electrical, electronic, firmware, and software engineering development.
- Collaborate with third-party and/or internal user-facing software developers to ensure engineering work product and software support and enhance each other.
- Lead and guide Responsible/Accountable, Informed, and Consulted (RACI) parties through all stages of the product development process, ensuring clear accountability and alignment with the company’s strategic vision and product roadmap.
- Support company supply and costing strategies through collaboration with internal and external teams, developers, and suppliers.
- Ensure products meet design requirements set by Marketing, deliver a consistent experience for our users, and meet company warranty measurement requirements.
- Collaborate with peer departments to establish and maintain processes and procedures for the Engineering department and overall Product Development Process conducive to organizational goals.
- Collaborate on the complete product lifecycle from concept to execution and through end of life. Minimize inventory obsolescence through smart lifecycle timing.
- Develop and execute test plans for all internal and external engineering product testing functions, ensuring the highest standards of product reliability and performance.
- Ensure product design subject to external regulatory and/or certification agencies meets or exceeds UL, ETL, CE, MIL-STD, and other industry standards as may be identified and applicable per product.
- Lead, manage, and hold accountable the Engineering department.
- Provide guidance and oversight for developing processes and procedures for the Product Development Coordinator position that meet internal objectives. Must be able to assign someone to perform the duties and carry out the responsibilities of this position in their absence.
- Oversee the administration of Engineering Project Data Management software (EPDM) workflow development, vault data management, and users and permissions for same. Includes helpdesk resources for Engineering personnel only. Does not include helpdesk outside of Engineering personnel, software installations, or program maintenance. Collaborates with IT for server and client upgrades to ensure program integrity.
- Oversee design and development of test apparatus, fixtures, and test plans for Production to ensure quality control standards are met, maintained, and meet Production Planning volume targets.
- Drive the achievement and maintenance of superior product quality standards, meticulously overseeing the design and specification processes to meet the needs of both internal and external stakeholders.
- Responsible for conducting root cause failure analysis (RCFA) on all products and achieving reductions in product failure rate as defined by management through design improvement.
- Provide product training to internal teams on new and existing products. Oversee publication and maintenance of technical manuals, ensuring they are accurate, user-friendly, and reflective of product updates.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to resolve difficult product issues in the field through troubleshooting, RCFA, and design improvements.
- Recommend new technology and ideas to improve product market share and profitability.
- Actively contribute to the company’s strategic development by providing key engineering insight and identifying opportunities that align with the organization’s objectives.
- Have a basic working knowledge of patent law, and work with company legal counsel to develop patent application documentation for adequate proprietary protections as afforded by law. Maximize patentability through design. Maximize protection through patent claim structure as developed with counsel.
Competencies
- Business Acumen – Knows how businesses work; knowledgeable in current and possible future policies, practices, trends, and information affecting his/her business and organization; knows the competition; is aware of how strategies and tactics work in the marketplace.
- Customer Focus – Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; uses customer feedback for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind.
- TQM/Re-Engineering – Is dedicated to providing the highest quality products and services that meet the needs and requirements of internal and external customers; is committed to continuous improvement through empowerment and management by data; is willing to re-engineer processes from scratch; is open to suggestions and experimentation; creates a learning environment leading to the most efficient and effective work processes.
- Creativity – Comes up with a lot of new and unique ideas; easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions; tends to be seen as original and value-added in brainstorming settings.
- Priority Setting – Spends his/her time and the time of others on what’s important; quickly zeros in on the critical few and puts the trivial many aside; can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks; creates focus.
- Drive for Results – Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; is constantly and consistently one of the top performers; very bottom-line oriented; steadfastly pushes self and others for results.
- Technical Learning – Picks up on technical things quickly; can learn new skills and knowledge; is good at learning new industry, company, product, or technical knowledge; does well in technical courses and seminars.
Supervisory Responsibility
Supervises the daily activity of the Engineering department and its personnel.
Preferred Education and Experience
- Has working knowledge of the following software and equipment: SolidWorks (MCAD), Altium (ECAD), Microsoft Office, Syteline, Oscilloscope, DMM, Load Cells; Mill, Lathe, and other manufacturing equipment; Welder (MIG & TIG), 3D Printer.
- Bachelor’s or Graduate Degree in Engineering Management or related field preferred.
- 10+ Years of engineering design experience in related areas of application.
- Proven, successful-in-market product design portfolio.
- Understands manufacturing methodology and is proficient in analyzing designs for manufacturability across many different manufacturing practices.
- Has a solid working knowledge of electronic hardware and embedded software principals and is capable of following and understanding electrical schematics and software code structures.
Work Environment
This job operates in clerical office settings, manufacturing, warehouse, and laboratory environments. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. Exposure to and use of heavy machinery such as drill press, press brake, lathe, welder, and other machines.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to vibration and noise from tools, heavy machinery, pneumatic tools, and forklift traffic. The heat level is high in the summer months in unconditioned areas—Personal Protective Equipment is required in some positions, such as safety glasses and gloves, etc. Hearing protection is provided but not required except where indicated.
Some travel may be required.
Physical Demands
Some lifting, bending, stooping, and standing is necessary. Mental alertness and long periods of concentration are required.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
AAP/EEO Statement: APC provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. Further, the company takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed and employees are treated during employment without regard to these characteristics. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.
Other Job Duties: This job description is a general description of essential job functions. It is not intended as an employment contract nor to describe all duties someone in this position may perform. All employees of APC are expected to perform tasks as assigned by APC supervisory/management personnel, regardless of job title or routine job duties.
For inquiries, please contact:
Joseph Stephens, H.R. Manager
Tel: (479) 246-6402
Email: [email protected]
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