Programming Director Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA (NOW HIRING)

Value Stream Manager - Machining or Sheet Metal

Full-time / Permanent

Remote / With travel across US sites - 30-40%

Base Salary - $167 - 208k base plus bonus

About Us:  Vantedge Medical is the premier metals-based med-tech solutions partner from concept to full-scale manufacturing. We are at the forefront of precision engineering and innovation, specializing in the development and manufacturing of vital components for medical markets such as Robotic Assisted Surgery, Orthopedics, Surgical Instruments, Dental, and more. Our teams work in unison, collaborating and problem-solving to serve the manufacturing needs of the top Medical Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) around the globe. Making a difference in the lives of patients and their families drives us to go above and beyond every day. With a steadfast commitment to advancing medical technology, we take immense pride in the work we do – and have a lot of fun doing it. 

About this Opportunity:   The Director of Engineering is a senior leadership role responsible for developing and aligning a high-performing engineering team across Vantedge’s manufacturing sites. This role provides corporate engineering leadership through a dotted-line relationship with Site Engineering Managers who report directly to their respective Site Directors of Operations. The Director of Engineering drives best practices, strategic initiatives, process standardization, coaching, and large-project support across all sites – enabling site teams to execute with excellence while Site DOOs guide daily priorities. This position requires a proven people leader with deep manufacturing process engineering expertise, NPI experience, and a track record of developing engineering teams and delivering measurable results across multi-site organizations.  

Responsibilities: 

• Develop and align Site Engineering Managers across all Vantedge manufacturing sites through a dotted-line reporting relationship 
• Partner with Site Directors of Operations (who hold direct authority) to align engineering team performance, priorities, and development plans for each site’s Engineering Manager. 
• Coach Site Engineering Managers on quoting ownership, NPI execution, base business improvement, and people leadership – elevating their capability to fully own their site’s engineering function. 
• Identify engineering talent gaps, support recruiting of Site Engineering Managers and manufacturing engineers, and build bench strength across the network. 
• Establish and track engineering Goals & Objectives (G&Os) at the site level, with regular cadence reviews with the VP of Engineering. 
• Drive best practices, process standardization, and continuous improvement across the engineering organization 
• Develop and deploy standard engineering processes, tools, and documentation across all sites 
• Lead engineering-driven cost savings initiatives including scrap reduction, NCR reduction, WIP reduction, process yield improvement, and insourcing of outside operations. 
• Drive lean manufacturing principles within the engineering function and support site-level lean transformation efforts. 
• Research, develop, and support implementation of new manufacturing technologies  
• Provide strategic support for quoting, NPI, and new program launches across all sites 
• Partner with the Estimating Manager and site resources to align on process, standards, and accountability. 
• Ensure site engineering teams are equipped and aligned to execute NPI projects on time, on cost, and to quality standards. 
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) input at the site engineering level and ensure NPI PMs and MEs own the process end-to-end. 
• Provide technical support for key customer quoting reviews, business development activities, and new business opportunity assessment including site selection and capability fit analysis. 
• Provide technical expertise and capital investment guidance across the manufacturing network 
• Provide technical guidance to site engineering teams across all Vantedge processes including CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, large-format machining, precision stamping, EDM, and assembly. 
• Develop and support equipment capacity analysis and capital investment strategy to ensure manufacturing capabilities match demand forecasts and growth targets. 
• Provide engineering support for customer audits, key account reviews, and escalations. 
• Home or office-based with regular travel to Vantedge sites (San Jose CA, Stockton CA, Rancho Cordova CA, Wheeling IL, Hudson NH, Durham CT, Wallingford CT) – estimated 30–40% travel  

Requirements

• Ability to travel across US sites 30-40%
• Engineering or bachelor’s degree in a technical field.  
• Minimum 12–15 years of progressive experience in applicable precision manufacturing engineering, in a regulated industry, with at least 5 years in a people leadership role managing Engineering Managers or Senior Manufacturing Engineers 
• Demonstrated experience serving on a Plant Leadership Team (PLT), equivalent site operations leadership role, or department lead. 
• Proven track record of leading engineering teams through NPI programs including DFM, process development, quoting support, and production launch 
• Strong working knowledge of CNC machining processes (Swiss turning, multi-axis milling, vertical/horizontal machining centers, etc.), sheet metal fabrication, welding, or precision stamping. 
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 quality management systems. 
• Exceptional people leadership and coaching skills with a demonstrated ability to develop direct reports and influence without direct authority across a matrixed organization 
• Excellent communication skills – equally effective presenting to senior leadership, engaging with customers, and working on the shop floor 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) 
• Multi-site engineering management experience 
• Experience implementing lean manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies with measurable results 
• Experience in medical device contract manufacturing strongly preferred; other regulated industries (aerospace, defense) considered 
• FDA registration familiarity preferred 
• Strong experience in validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), DFM, and GD&T application preferred. 

Benefits:

• Medical – Dental – Vision – Life Insurance
• Vacation and Sick Pay
• 401k

Vantedge Medical is a proven partner to Medical Technology OEMs. For more than 40 years, we have been manufacturing a full suite of expert-level solutions from complex machining and stamping to the manufacturing of complete assemblies for growing markets including Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS), Orthopedics, Surgical Instruments and Components, Dental implants, and more.

Vantedge Medical’s seasoned professionals shorten global supply chains while improving value for our many OEM partners. As a mature Development & Manufacturing Organization, our teams specialize in Electromechanical Assembly, Precision Machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication, and Rapid Prototyping & Engineering Solutions. Our 550,000+ sq. ft. of combined manufacturing space offers a broad spectrum of manufacturing capabilities and flexibility for most levels of mechanical integration.