Director of Engineering

Position: Director of Engineering

Reports to: VP of Engineering

Status: Full Time

Location: Auburn MA

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Director of Engineering to lead multidisciplinary engineering for largescale, high-pressure boiler projects (utility, industrial, process plants). This leader will own end-to-end technical delivery—from concept, design, and analysis through fabrication, installation, commissioning, and lifecycle support—ensuring safety, reliability, compliance, and performance. The ideal candidate combines deep mechanical systems expertise with strong CAD/CAE proficiency, systems engineering rigor, and program management excellence.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Engineering Leadership & Governance

•Set engineering strategy and standards for high-pressure boiler layout, auxiliaries, and balance of plant systems (feedwater, steam piping, valves, burners, instrumentation & controls).

•Establish and enforce engineering procedures, CAD standards, drawing control, revisions, and design review gates.

•Own technical risk management (FMEA, HAZOP, fault tree) and drive Installation Projects for safety, reliability, fitment, and maintainability.

Project & Program Management

•Lead a portfolio of large projects; oversee scope, budget, schedule, resources, and quality.

•Coordinate cross functional teams (mechanical, structural, electrical, controls, civil, procurement, fabrication, field service).

•Manage change orders, RFIs, submittals, and interface control; ensure timely decisions and stakeholder alignment.

•Drive earned value management (EVM), schedule health (critical path), and cost control; report KPIs to executive leadership.

Mechanical & Systems Engineering

•Oversees field engineering activity.

•Oversee piping systems, supports, stress analysis, and materials selection (creep/thermal fatigue considerations).

•Guide combustion systems, burners, fuel handling, and emissions control integration (e.g., SCR, FGD).

•Own system architecture, requirements decomposition, interface definitions, and verification/validation plans.

CAD/CAE & Digital Engineering

•Champion model-based design workflows; ensure applicable 3D modeling, 2D drawings, BOM control, and clash detection.

Codes, Standards & Compliance

•Ensure designs comply with applicable codes/standards, and local jurisdictional requirements.

•Oversee quality management plans, ITPs, NDE/NDT programs, welding qualifications, and documentation for code stamping/certification.

•Partner with EHS to embed OSHA and NFPA 85 practices; lead design hazard reviews and constructability reviews.

Supply Chain, Fabrication & Field Execution

•Collaborate with sourcing on vendor qualification and technical bid evaluations; ensure technical compliance throughout the supply chain.

•Support shop fabrication (QA/QC, weld procedures, heat treatment, hydro tests), logistics, and site installation.

•Provide technical leadership during commissioning, performance testing, and handover; drive rootcause analysis and corrective actions.

People & Culture

•Build and mentor a highly performing engineering organization; hire, develop, and retain top talent.

•Create a culture of accountability, continuous improvement (Lean/Six Sigma), and knowledge management.

•Promote clear communication, stakeholder engagement, and cross disciplinary collaboration.

Required Skills/Abilities:

•Interpret and integrate project requirements, specifications, and design parameters.

•Collaborate with internal/external engineering teams to validate design concepts and ensure feasibility.

•Review and refine drawings based on stakeholder feedback and project updates, ensuring continuous improvement and accuracy.

•Ensure all designs comply with applicable industry standards, safety regulations, codes, and commercial requirements.

•Organize and maintain drawing files, project documentation, and revision history for seamless project management.

Required Qualifications:

•Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (or related); advanced degree preferred.

•10–15+ years in highpressure boiler, power generation, or heavy industrial process equipment; 5+ years leading engineering teams/projects >$5M.

• Proficiency of ASME code pressure vessel/piping design, materials/creep behavior, welding/NDE practices, and thermal/fluid systems.

• Proficiency in CAD/CAE skills: AutoCAD, SolidWorks/Inventor, Plant 3D/Navisworks.

•Demonstrated success in program/project management (scope, cost, schedule, risk) across large portfolios; familiarity with EVM.

•Excellent stakeholder management, technical writing, and presentation skills.

A SOUTHERN SPEAR COMPANYPreferred Qualifications

•PE (Professional Engineer) license.

•PMP or equivalent project/program management certification.

•Background in combustion systems, emissions control integration, burner management systems, and DCS/PLC interfaces.

•Lean/Six Sigma certification; experience implementing continuous improvement in engineering processes.