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Location: Franklin, WI (Greater Milwaukee Area) | Schedule: Full-Time, Permanent Executive Role, Primarily Onsite with Limited Travel | Compensation: Up to $150,000 base salary + performance bonus + equity/long-term incentive plan (LTIP)

Overview

A rapidly expanding, well-established manufacturer in the Franklin / South Milwaukee area is seeking a Vice President of Engineering to lead product development and manufacturing engineering. This newly elevated executive role offers full ownership of the engineering organization, working alongside a collaborative, growth-focused executive team to accelerate R&D, scale operations, and expand market share.

What you'll do

• Establish strategic departmental priorities, mentor engineering staff, and build an accountability-driven engineering culture
• Drive new product development from concept through detailed engineering design, testing, prototype runoff, and full production launch
• Implement robust systems, design reviews, and structured workflows to improve project timelines and reduce engineering change orders
• Provide executive technical direction across mechanical design, structural fabrication, fluid power (hydraulics and pneumatics), and PLC/controls integration
• Evaluate internal production capabilities versus outside manufacturing resources to optimize quality, cost efficiency, capacity, and scalability
• Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, and Sales to solve field challenges, improve manufacturability, and elevate customer satisfaction

Required qualifications

• Proven track record leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams (mechanical, electrical, R&D) within a custom machinery, heavy equipment, or industrial manufacturing environment
• Success taking complex, highly engineered products from concept through testing, manufacturing release, and commercial success
• Strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles, with exposure to fluid power systems (hydraulics/pneumatics), electro-mechanical assemblies, and automated controls/PLC platforms
• Demonstrated skill in evaluating internal shop capabilities and making internal vs. external sourcing decisions
• Hands-on, approachable leadership style with a strong sense of urgency
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (BSME, BSEE, or related discipline) strongly preferred
• Documented history of career stability and progressive leadership advancement
• Local residence in the Greater Milwaukee, WI area or willingness to relocate

Preferred qualifications

• Prior experience in railroad, heavy off-highway equipment, or specialized mobile machinery manufacturing is a distinct advantage

Compensation and benefits

• Up to $150,000 base salary
• Performance bonus
• Equity/long-term incentive plan (LTIP) designed to let key executives share in future enterprise value

Why this role

This is a newly elevated executive seat where your leadership directly shapes product direction, operational strategy, and revenue growth, backed by a structured long-term incentive plan and an agile, growth-oriented culture free from corporate red tape.