Advanced Engineering Manager Jobs in Bethel, CT (NOW HIRING)

Location: Bethel, CT
Job Type: Full-time
Industry: Manufacturing / Motion Control / Engineered Products
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Engineering Manager to lead the design, development, customization, and continuous improvement of our linear motion products and engineered assemblies.
This position will oversee the engineering function from initial customer requirements and product concept through design validation, manufacturing support, documentation control, and final delivery. The Engineering Manager will work closely with Sales, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, suppliers, and customers to deliver technically sound, cost-effective solutions that meet performance, quality, and market requirements.
The ideal candidate brings a strong mechanical engineering background, experience supporting a manufacturing environment, and proven leadership ability in product development, custom machinery, automation, motion control, or engineered assemblies.
What You’ll Do
Engineering Leadership & Project Execution
Lead engineering projects from concept, design, and prototyping through production release and ongoing product support.
Manage engineering priorities, project schedules, workloads, and resource allocation in alignment with business objectives.
Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and direction to engineering staff.
Establish, improve, and maintain engineering standards, processes, and best practices.
Drive accountability for project deliverables, technical accuracy, quality, and on-time execution.
Product Design & Development
Lead the design, development, modification, and continuous improvement of linear motion products, mechanical assemblies, and customer-specific solutions.
Evaluate customer requirements, application specifications, and performance expectations to develop effective technical solutions.
Design and validate new products, custom assemblies, and special application solutions.
Conduct engineering analysis, troubleshooting, testing, and product performance evaluations.
Partner with Manufacturing and Operations to resolve design, assembly, machining, and production-related challenges.
Identify opportunities to improve product reliability, manufacturability, quality, cost, and lead time.
Engineering Documentation & Change Control
Maintain accurate and current engineering drawings, CAD models, specifications, bills of materials, and supporting technical documentation.
Ensure engineering documentation complies with internal quality procedures and manufacturing requirements.
Manage engineering change requests and engineering change orders.
Maintain proper revision control and ensure changes are effectively communicated across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, and Sales.
Support the development and maintenance of product standards, work instructions, and technical procedures.
Customer, Distributor & Sales Support
Serve as a technical resource for customers, distributors, and internal sales teams.
Participate in customer meetings, application reviews, technical presentations, and project discussions as needed.
Support product selection, custom applications, quotations, technical proposals, and special product requests.
Review customer drawings, specifications, contracts, and technical requirements for custom-engineered products.
Help resolve technical inquiries, application concerns, and customer product issues in a timely and professional manner.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement
Coordinate project timelines, deliverables, and technical requirements across Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations.
Ensure designs meet customer expectations, applicable standards, manufacturing capabilities, and quality requirements.
Support lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, cost-reduction, quality, and productivity initiatives.
Identify new product development opportunities, emerging technologies, and process improvements that support long-term business growth.
Work closely with suppliers and outside partners to support component selection, manufacturability, quality, and project execution.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline required.
Advanced degree, Professional Engineer license, or relevant technical certifications are a plus.
Experience
5–10 years of engineering experience in a manufacturing, automation, motion control, mechanical product, or engineered-assembly environment.
At least 3 years of engineering leadership, supervisory, project leadership, or team-management experience preferred.
Experience with custom machinery, special-purpose equipment, engineered assemblies, product development, or configurable products is highly desirable.
Experience supporting machining, mechanical assembly, quality, and production operations preferred.
Technical Skills
Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, linear motion products, bearings, actuators, guides, rails, mechanical assemblies, and motion-control applications.
Proficiency with SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Mastercam, or comparable CAD/CAM software.
Experience creating and maintaining drawings, BOMs, specifications, models, and engineering documentation.
Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems; experience with M2M or similar platforms is preferred.
Strong ability to read, interpret, and create engineering drawings, tolerances, specifications, and technical standards.
Understanding of manufacturing processes, including machining, assembly, inspection, and quality control.
Experience with engineering change control, product testing, troubleshooting, and design-for-manufacturability principles.
Leadership & Professional Skills
Strong leadership, organizational, and project-management skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent written, verbal, and customer-facing communication skills.
Ability to build productive working relationships with customers, suppliers, internal teams, and senior leadership.
A hands-on, solution-oriented leadership style with a focus on quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Why Join Us?
Lead meaningful engineering initiatives with direct impact on product quality, customer satisfaction, and business growth.
Work on custom-engineered mechanical products and application-driven solutions.
Collaborate with a cross-functional team in a hands-on manufacturing environment.
Opportunity to influence engineering processes, product development strategy, and continuous improvement efforts.

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