Vice President of Engineering Buffalo, New York, USA Job Description Job Summary: The Vice President of Engineering is responsible for leading the engineering function across product development, manufacturing / sustaining engineering, technical documentation, and production support. This role ensures the delivery of innovative, high-quality solutions through integrated Business Unit teams and cross-functional collaboration. The VP of Engineering drives strategic initiatives, oversees project execution, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence. This position is a key member of the executive leadership team and plays a critical role in shaping the company’s future. What you will do:
Lead and manage engineering teams across R&D, manufacturing engineering, and project engineering.
Guide the design and development of new products, including material selection, specifications, and testing.
Oversee project management processes to ensure timely and budget-conscious delivery.
Develop and maintain engineering processes aligned with industry standards (e.g., PPAP, Configuration Management).
Conduct internal and customer-attended design reviews; assess compliance with customer specifications.
Drive continuous improvement in product and process design to enhance quality and reduce cycle time.
Provide technical direction and support to procurement, quality assurance, drafting, and production teams.
Maintain and improve digital databases of drawings and specifications.
Administer Engineering Test Lab and Prototype Shop operations.
Ensure engineering analysis of returned products and failures.
Approve final drawings, specifications, test plans, and engineering orders.
Plan and manage R&D projects and new product line development.
Lead efforts in patent acquisition and intellectual property management.
Develop and track KPIs for engineering performance.
Hire, train, and evaluate engineering personnel; foster a high-performance culture.
Ensure compliance with the company’s Code of Conduct and ethics.
Represent the company with customers and suppliers, providing field support and technical expertise.
Participate in strategic planning and executive reviews needed.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum 5 years of progressive engineering experience, including product design and development.
At least 3 years of engineering management or team leadership experience.
Experience in aerospace materials, processes, and industry standards.
Prefer candidates with experience in electro- mechanical product design
Familiarity with ASME/ANSI drawing standards and manufacturing practices.
Strong background in project management and technical documentation.
Strategic leadership and technical vision.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Proven ability to develop and mentor engineering talent.
High ethical standards and integrity.
Effective cross-functional collaboration.
Strong organizational and decision-making skills.
Experience with CAD systems and engineering databases.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive innovation.
Why is This a Great Opportunity This is a 60M dollar business that is growing and looking for someone to be part of the executive team. This role can lead to higher level roles in the organization. The company offers a lucrative stock option program for this role.