Mechanical Engineering Manager - Custom Machinery
Milwaukee Area, WI | Full-Time | Onsite
Help Lead an Engineering Team Built to Last
Exceptional engineering organizations don't happen by accident.
They're built over time by talented engineers, thoughtful leadership, and a culture that values doing things the right way.
Our client has spent decades building that kind of organization.
They're a well-established manufacturer of highly engineered custom machinery used in demanding industrial applications throughout the world. Their success has been built on engineering excellence, long-term customer relationships, and a commitment to designing equipment that's known for quality and reliability.
As the business continues to grow, they're looking for an Engineering Manager who can help build on that foundation.
This isn't about coming in to fix a broken organization.
It's about helping a successful engineering team become even better.
The Opportunity:
You'll work alongside an experienced Director of Engineering to lead a team of mechanical engineers responsible for designing sophisticated custom machinery.
The team includes engineers with deep product knowledge, strong technical capabilities, and a genuine commitment to building exceptional equipment.
Your role is to help that team continue to grow.
You'll coach engineers, improve engineering execution, strengthen collaboration with manufacturing, support new product development, and help ensure engineering remains one of the company's greatest competitive advantages.
If you enjoy developing engineers as much as developing products, you'll find this role especially rewarding.
What You'll Do:
As Engineering Manager, you'll provide both technical leadership and people leadership.
Your responsibilities will include:
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of mechanical engineers and designers.
Assign priorities and balance engineering resources across multiple projects.
Conduct engineering design reviews and provide technical guidance.
Support product development from concept through production.
Improve engineering processes, design quality, and technical consistency.
Partner closely with Manufacturing, Electrical Engineering, Tooling, Purchasing, Project Management, and Service.
Promote Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and sound engineering practices.
Help solve complex engineering challenges while developing the next generation of engineering talent.
Approximately 75% of your time will focus on engineering leadership, with the remaining 25% spent providing technical support on complex engineering issues.
What Success Looks Like:
Within your first year, you've earned the respect of your engineering team through technical credibility, sound judgment, and a collaborative leadership style.
Communication between Engineering and Manufacturing is stronger.
Design reviews are more effective.
Engineers are growing professionally through coaching and mentorship.
New product development moves more efficiently.
Most importantly, you've helped strengthen an engineering organization that already has an outstanding reputation.
We're Looking For Someone Who Brings:
A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
Experience leading or mentoring engineering teams.
A background designing custom machinery, capital equipment, or automated systems.
Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes including machining, fabrication, and assembly.
Experience with engineering design reviews and new product development.
Working knowledge of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA).
Experience with Autodesk Inventor or comparable 3D CAD software.
Backgrounds That Translate Well:
Candidates from the following industries are especially encouraged to apply:
Packaging machinery
Custom capital equipment
Industrial automation
Robotics
Material handling
Converting equipment
High-speed assembly systems
Food processing equipment
Other engineered machinery environments
If your experience is closely related, we'd still encourage you to reach out.
Why Engineers Stay:
People build long careers here.
The engineering team is respected.
Leadership values collaboration over hierarchy.
Ideas are encouraged.
Engineering has a meaningful voice in the business.
It's an environment where talented engineers are trusted to solve difficult problems, continuously improve products, and make a lasting contribution to the organization.
Compensation & Benefits:
Base salary: $110,000-$150,000, depending on experience
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Retirement savings program
Paid vacation and holidays
Tuition reimbursement
Relocation assistance for qualified candidates
Long-term career opportunity with a financially stable and respected manufacturer
If you're an engineering leader who enjoys developing people, improving products, and helping shape the future of an engineering organization, we'd welcome the opportunity to have a confidential conversation.
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Please note all resumes and candidate information submitted are kept in the strictest confidence. No resume will be released without the candidate's prior permission.
About ManpowerGroup, Parent Company of Manpower Engineering
ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing, and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands - Manpower Engineering, Experis, Talent Solutions - creates substantial value for candidates and clients across more than 75 countries and territories and has done so for over 70 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity - as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality and Disability and in 2026 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 17th year - all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent .
ManpowerGroup is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in a professional, high quality work environment. It is the policy of ManpowerGroup and all of its subsidiaries to recruit, train, promote, transfer, pay and take all employment actions without regard to an employee's race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
