Engineering Manager, Rail at Iecholden

MISSION:

Lead the engineering function across Brockville, ON and Plattsburgh, NY to deliver safe, efficient, high-quality manufacturing operations with a focus on the rail segment of the business. Own engineering standards, process control, launch readiness, technical problem-solving, and continuous improvement while developing the engineering team and ensuring both sites execute with consistency, discipline, and measurable results.

Responsibilities

• Standard Hour Improvement: Reduce standard hours on key rail-segment operations by 5% within 12 months through process optimization, tooling improvements, layout changes, and engineering-led waste reduction.

• Process Documentation & Control: Ensure 100% of critical rail-segment processes across Brockville and Plattsburgh have current work instructions, routings, PFMEAs, control plans, specifications, and operator training requirements within the agreed implementation timeline.

• Quality & Rework Reduction: Reduce defects, scrap, or rework by 10–15% within 12 months through engineering-driven root cause analysis, process improvements, operator support, and stronger adherence to standards.

• Launch & Production Readiness: Deliver all assigned new product, process, or rail-segment launches with full production readiness, operator training, documentation, tooling, and stable ramp-up achieved within the defined launch timeline.

• Equipment, Tooling & Technical Reliability: Improve equipment and tooling reliability by ensuring preventive maintenance support, spare-part planning, engineering oversight, and timely root cause resolution for recurring technical issues.

• Engineering Team Leadership: Build a capable, accountable engineering team across both sites by setting clear priorities, removing barriers, coaching technical problem-solving, and ensuring consistent execution of engineering standards.

• Cost & Productivity Improvement: Deliver measurable cost savings through improved material utilization, reduced waste, better process design, and disciplined engineering decisions that support productivity and profitability.

• Strategy: Support the Director of Engineering in establishing quarterly, yearly, and long-term strategies for the Engineering team including but not limited to Capex planning, development of expanded Engineering standards, people roadmaps, and technology roadmaps.

Skills

• Engineering Leadership Experience – 3+ years leading engineers, engineering technicians, or technical teams in a manufacturing environment.

• Rail & Electromechanical Manufacturing Expertise – 5+ years supporting motor, coil, refurbishment, or similar electromechanical manufacturing processes preferred. Alternatively, 5+ years’ experience in electric motor production.

• Manufacturing Operations Experience – 7+ years driving process improvements, troubleshooting production issues, and supporting day-to-day manufacturing operations.

• Education & Professional Credentials – Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field; P.Eng. preferred.

• Multi-Site Leadership – Effectively manages priorities and resources across multiple locations.

• Process Engineering & Industrialization – Develops, validates, and sustains robust manufacturing processes.

• Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement – Applies Lean principles to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

• Data-Driven Problem Solving – Uses analytics and root cause methods to drive results.

• Process Documentation & Standards – Ensures discipline in work instructions, PFMEAs, control plans, and SOPs.

• Project & Launch Management – Delivers projects and product launches on time and on budget.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Builds alignment across Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain.