Manager, Design Engineering - Manufacturing

Digital Control Incorporated (DCI) is the world’s leading supplier of underground locating and steering products for the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry. Since the introduction of this revolutionary technology 30 years ago, Digital Control has been at the forefront of trenchless technologies that enable the efficient installation of underground utilities such as fiber optic, telecom, gas, and water lines world-wide. DCI’s products are valued for their durable design, ease of use and uncompromising commitment to customer service. 

We are seeking a Manufacturing Design Engineering (MDE) Manager based in our headquarters in Kent, Washington to help ensure our products continue to live up to DCI’s high standards and exceed the expectations of our global customers. As a player-coach, you will apply your technical knowledge and leadership skills to hardware design, new product introduction, test development, and manufacturing process engineering while cultivating internal and external partnerships. If you’re hands-on and passionate about technology, collaboration, and continuous improvement, then DCI could be a perfect fit for you! 

MDE is a new function at DCI, so you’ll have the opportunity to build, establish, and set the course for the team!

What You’ll Do:

Manager and technical leader (50% or more of time)

• Recruit, develop, and lead a team of engineers in the disciplines below. Provide regular coaching, perform performance evaluations, and contribute to annual compensation reviews.
• Define, prioritize, and assign projects and operational tasks. Prepare and maintain detailed planning of project activities, including schedules, cost estimates and resource assignments.
• Prepare annual expense budget and monitor and control activities to these plans.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other managers in the Manufacturing and R&E departments to optimize the overall performance of the organization. This may include solving emerging issues with resources, processes, and products. It may include development of long-term, medium term and short-term plans.
• Provide reports as required to communicate project status to management including accomplishments, risk and key upcoming milestones for scope, budget, schedule, and resources. Develop contingency plans to address problems and risks encountered in project execution.
• Contribute to Extended Leadership Team (ELT) on broad management topics, partner with Company Leadership to define and advance corporate strategy, focus areas, and deliver annual objectives.

Team responsibilities (individual contribution up to 50% of time in one or more area)

Hardware design engineering of electronic and electromechanical devices

• Investigate and propose solutions to address customer feedback, field failure incidents, service repair trends, and production issues
• Perform redesign and requalification of existing commercial products for iterative performance, cost, and reliability improvement or to resolve component obsolescence issues
• Maintain form-fit-function equivalence of commercialized products

New product introduction (NPI)

• Partner with the R&D organization to represent Manufacturing needs in product development and DfX (Design for X: Manufacturability, Quality, Assembly, Supply Chain, Repairability, etc) to understand theory of operations and bring the next-generation of our industry-leading equipment to market
• Define and execute qualification testing of prototype and redesigned hardware products to environmental standards

Test process engineering and automation

• Develop, implement, and maintain new quality control test processes, including hardware and software design for automated fixtures and equipment
• Creation and evaluation of performance results databases and data analytics, provide reports and proposals to improve test processes or enhance product designs

Manufacturing process engineering

• Investigate, design, develop, and implement plans to increase the efficiency and yield of assembly and testing methods, systems, automated equipment, processes, and people
• Provide technical support and guidance to internal teams and supplier partners, participate in audits, and evaluate first-article materials and parts according to specifications and quality standards
• Lead and/or support continuous improvement projects and the implementation of Lean Manufacturing principles

Other

• Lead by example to contribute to a safe and healthy work environment
• Advance knowledge by studying industry trends and developments (such as generative AI, digitization, and industry 4.0), pursuing educational opportunities, reading technical publications, networking, and participating in professional organizations.
• Note that the above details describe the principal duties of an employee in this position but are not to be considered as all-inclusive. Employees may be asked to perform related duties by their supervisor.
• Reports directly to the Head of Manufacturing, with functional/ advisory relationship with Engineering leadership.

• BS/BA degree from an accredited university in engineering or related scientific field
• 5 years experience as an engineer in one or more field(s) of hardware engineering, product design, and/or test engineering for electronic or electro-mechanical devices
• 3 years as a Project and/or Program Manager and
• 3 years as a direct manager of an engineering staff
• MS/MA, MBA, or MEM desired but not required
• PMP certification desired but not required
• Technical training and/or practical application of Lean Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement methodologies and tools desired but not required
• Demonstrated experience using “Design for X” (DfX) practices and working knowledge of electronics assembly, quality control, machining, injection molding, and circuit board manufacturing processes
• Aptitude for creating, interpreting, and controlling engineering, quality, and manufacturing drawings and documents
• Strong business acumen, excellent organization and multi-tasking skills
• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of staff, verbally and in writing
• Assertive interpersonal and problem-solving skills that build consensus and resolve issues
• Excellent computer skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office software, and experience using enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems

If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to still apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or another role at DCI.

Who You Are:

Experienced as an Engineer

• Proven track record of solving engineering design problems in one or more of the key areas of electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing test process development, database and analytics engineering, or quality engineering.

Proven at People Management

• Passionate about developing and managing engineers in multiple domains from disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, industrial, computer/software or others.
• Acts as primary supervisor for core contributors to specific projects.

Proficient with technical Project Management

• Proven track record of successfully delivering engineering design or hardware sustaining projects.
• Takes ownership for technical execution and drives teams to integrated project schedules, developing and executing resource plans.
• Champions continuous improvement projects for products and processes.

Skilled with Business Partnerships

• Driven to act as key partner with internal and external stakeholders in creating and extending business relationships across several product lines.

• Unparalleled health benefits (employer covers 99% of costs)
• Quarterly bonuses: all employees share in the success of the company
• Professional development
• 401k matching
• 4 weeks PTO 
• Dog-friendly work environment
• Parental leave
• Company covers 100% of payroll taxes for state family medical leave and a portion of the WA LTC tax
• 11 annual paid holidays
• Free convenient parking and commuter benefits
• Located in a quiet business park near walking trail

Compensation:

• DCI is proud to offer comprehensive compensation packages including competitive base pay and discretionary quarterly profit sharing bonuses to all part-time and full-time team members. Base pay is reviewed at a minimum on an annual basis.
• Pay range: $148,800 - 173,400 per year. To ensure equity, our compensation philosophy is to bring people into new roles in the range of the mid-point of that role. Factors considered for pay include the level of skill, experience, training, external market factors, and internal value.
• Profit sharing bonus: Over the last 3 years, quarterly bonuses ranged between 11% and 27%. Future bonuses could be higher or lower depending on company profits.

Why DCI?

Work hard, play often... DCI employees are innovative and creative. Our open (forest-like) work environment creates free flowing conversations across all functions. We have gaming days; Lego challenges and ping pong matches to build on our creativity when one hits a roadblock. If that is not enough, our employees bring their four-legged companions (dogs) to work and can take them for a walk around the Green River trail. 

DCI takes pride in caring a lot about our employees. We believe that employees should not be burdened with benefits expenses, so we provide lucrative health care plans unmatched in most other companies. We also like to eat at DCI and find any excuse to celebrate the most random holidays (Pi Day, Chocolate Ice Cream Day, etc.) We have monthly catered lunches, a fully stocked snack area, sporting tickets, wellness competitions, and most importantly a team of people who will tell you that DCI is the best place they've ever worked. This is evident by our long service team and low turnover. 

We Celebrate Inclusion:

DCI is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at DCI is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. DCI does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), or any other basis protected by law.

It is DCI’s policy to comply with all applicable national, state and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity. The Company's EEO policy includes the full & complete support of the Company and all levels of leadership. Because it's just the right thing to do. We hope you think so, too.