Systems Engineering Manager Jobs in Chestertown, MD

Job Title: Engineering Manager

Job Description

The Engineering Manager leads a multidisciplinary mechanical and electrical engineering organization focused on highly customized, engineered-to-order control buildings and electrical equipment enclosures. This role drives technical excellence, operational performance, and team development while supporting critical applications for power utilities, data centers, and infrastructure markets. You will guide a rapidly scaling business through complex, high-touch customer projects, integrating sophisticated electrical systems and coordinating multiple sites to meet demanding technical and schedule requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site Engineering organization, including Mechanical and Electrical teams, to achieve and exceed the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and overall business objectives.
• Prioritize engineering resources and initiatives in collaboration with manufacturing and other site functions to meet customer demands, project schedules, and business requirements.
• Partner closely with multiple functions in the Engineered To Order (ETO) process to ensure engineering rigor, velocity, schedule adherence, and flexibility are balanced to deliver strong business results.
• Provide technical and strategic leadership that aligns with long-term product architecture and business goals while ensuring effective short-term execution on active projects.
• Lead, coach, and mentor leaders within building framework and power systems functions to meet Quality, Delivery, and Efficiency targets across the Engineering organization.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive training and onboarding program for new engineering hires, aligned with defined engineering quality and product standards.
• Coordinate activities with offshore and contract engineering resources to create scalable capacity and maintain consistent engineering quality standards across locations.
• Drive a continuous improvement mindset within the team, implementing process enhancements that deliver high-quality results and exceed customer expectations.
• Establish and implement standard design practices, ensuring clear communication, work direction, and coaching to build capability, accountability, and consistency across the engineering team.
• Oversee and support the work of a team of 11 engineers, including CAD operators, designers, designer specialists, and a structural engineer, ensuring effective project planning and execution.
• Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders regarding project status, priorities, risks, and resource needs, fostering strong cross-functional collaboration.
• Manage scheduling, project planning, and delegation of priorities across multiple concurrent engineered-to-order and custom engineering projects.
• Support the integration of multiple sites and engineering offices, ensuring alignment of standards, processes, and quality expectations.
• Champion a culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence within the engineering function.

Essential Skills

• 7–10+ years of experience in engineering, preferably within mechanical, electrical, or manufacturing disciplines.
• At least 4+ years of management or leadership experience in an engineering environment, leading technical teams and projects.
• Hands-on design experience with AutoCAD and SolidWorks in an industrial or product engineering setting.
• Proven experience communicating effectively with internal stakeholders across functions such as operations, manufacturing, and project management.
• Demonstrated experience with scheduling, project planning, and delegating priorities across multiple projects and engineering resources.
• Background in mechanical engineering or electrical engineering related to sheet metal, enclosures, or industrial equipment.
• Experience working within an engineered-to-order (ETO) or custom engineering environment, managing projects with unique customer specifications.
• Ability to lead and develop engineering teams, including CAD operators, designers, specialists, and structural engineers.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance long-term strategic initiatives and short-term execution demands.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, standardization of design practices, and maintaining high quality standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• ETO (engineered-to-order) or custom engineering experience is highly preferred, particularly in environments where a portion of work involves new designs.
• Experience with sheet metal or enclosure design is highly preferred, especially for electrical equipment enclosures and control buildings.
• Familiarity with integrating sophisticated electrical systems such as control panels, switchgear, and cabling into engineered solutions.
• Experience coordinating offshore and contract engineering resources to expand capacity while maintaining quality.
• Background in high-growth or multi-site engineering organizations undergoing scaling and integration is beneficial.
• Ability to develop structured training and onboarding programs for technical staff.
• Demonstrated ability to drive quality, delivery, and efficiency improvements through process optimization and standardization.
• Comfort working in a global organization with established benefits and pathways for upward mobility.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire, mentor, and retain a tenured local engineering team.

Work Environment

This role is based onsite in a dedicated engineering office located near the main facility, within a lean and fast-paced operation of approximately 187 team members at the location. The Engineering Manager works primarily on first shift with standard hours and no irregular shifts required for this position, although the broader operation includes first and third shifts. The engineering team is local, experienced, and has strong tenure, and you will directly oversee a group of 11 engineers, including CAD operators, designers, designer specialists, and a structural engineer. The environment centers on custom-engineered orders, sheet metal and enclosure projects, and integration of electrical systems, using tools such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks. The role is fully onsite five days a week initially, with the potential to discuss flexible arrangements after approximately six months. The company offers a global platform, strong benefits, opportunities for career growth, and the chance to lead a high-performing team in a high-growth business.

This is a Permanent position based out of Millington, MD.

The pay range for this position is $105000.00 - $145000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

10 paid holidays, 15 vacation days (20 after 5 years of service), MD sick and safe Medical, dental, and vision plans along with flexible spending accounts, short-term and long-term disability benefits, critical illness, accident insurance and life insurance.A 401(k) retirement plan and an employee stock purchase plan — both include a company match.Other supplemental benefits may include tuition reimbursement, caregiver, personal and parental leave, back-up care services, paid time off including volunteer time, a well-being program, and/or legal & identity theft protection.

This is a fully onsite position in Millington,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.