Director of Engineering/Process Improvement

About Us:

At Tomball Controls, we specialize in manufacturing custom fuel tanks, custom sound attenuated enclosures, and access platforms for emergency power generators.

We are proud to serve clients across various industries, providing them with high-quality power packaging solutions to meet their specific requirements. With years of experienced team members and a commitment to excellence, we have built a reputation for delivering reliable and durable products on time and within budget.

Job Description:

The Director of Engineering & Process Improvement will lead the engineering department while driving operational excellence across the manufacturing organization. This role is responsible for aligning mechanical and electrical engineering design activities with continuous improvement initiatives to enhance production efficiency, reduce lead times, improve quality, and ensure compliance with applicable industry standards. Serving as a strategic partner to the COO, the Director will bridge the gap between engineering design and manufacturing execution, ensuring seamless integration of custom generator enclosure and switchgear projects from concept through production. The position will also champion process optimization, cross-functional collaboration, and operational best practices to support business growth and customer satisfaction.

Engineering Leadership

• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, develop, and scale a multidisciplinary team of process engineers, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Sales, Design Engineering, Project Management, Operations, and Quality Assurance to resolve technical issues, align priorities, and ensure seamless project execution prior to production.

Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Lean Manufacturing Deployment: Champion and implement Lean Manufacturing principles, Six Sigma methodologies, 5S, and Value Stream Mapping (VSM) initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize manufacturing processes.

• Production Scaling: Analyze and eliminate bottlenecks across sheet metal fabrication, welding, coating, and electrical integration operations while designing scalable workflows that increase throughput and productivity.

• Capital Expenditure (CapEx) Management: Evaluate, justify, and implement investments in automation, advanced tooling, equipment, and emerging technologies to modernize production operations and support business growth.

• Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Action: Lead investigations into production deviations, quality issues, and engineering errors, driving effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to prevent recurrence and improve performance.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive leadership experience within industrial manufacturing, generator packaging, power distribution equipment (switchgear), or a related industry.

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred, with demonstrated success leading large-scale continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.

• Strong knowledge of metal fabrication, structural design and integrity, acoustic attenuation systems, and electrical integration processes.

• Experience with CAD and solid modeling software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) as well as ERP/MRP systems used in manufacturing environments.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate across all levels of the organization.

Travel Requirements

• Travel is required for this position, including occasional overnight stays. This role will provide leadership and support across four manufacturing sites.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout manufacturing facilities, production areas, and outdoor yard environments for extended periods.

• Must be able to safely wear and utilize all required personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with company policies and safety regulations at all times.

• Ability to navigate manufacturing environments, including exposure to varying temperatures, noise levels, and industrial equipment.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled

Tomball Controls is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Tomball Controls is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.