Safari Circuits, LLC., a leading electronics manufacturing services provider in Otsego, Michigan, seeks a visionary Director of Engineering to drive organizational transformation. This leader will set the strategic direction for the engineering team, champion operational excellence, and position engineering as a value creation engine for the company. The ideal candidate will inspire innovation, guide the team through ISO certification, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and customer-centricity.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and communicate a clear engineering strategy aligned with company growth objectives.
• Lead the engineering team through ISO certification, ensuring robust processes and compliance.
• Transform the engineering function into a value creation engine by identifying new business opportunities, developing value-added services, and collaborating with sales and customers.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and high performance.

Organizational Development & Team Structure

• Establish and lead specialized teams to support manufacturing operations, ensuring seamless integration and operational excellence.
• Create and manage dedicated design services teams to deliver innovative solutions for customers, expanding the company's service offerings and revenue streams.
• Build and mentor a high-performing engineering organization, focusing on leadership development and succession planning.
• Assess and optimize resource allocation (personnel, technology, and equipment) to support strategic initiatives.

Business & Customer Impact

• Partner with customers and sales to co-create solutions that deliver measurable business value.
• Oversee the development of new service offerings and support go-to-market strategies.
• Ensure engineering projects are managed with a focus on profitability, scalability, and customer satisfaction.

Quality & Compliance

• Direct the implementation and continuous improvement of quality management systems for the design engineering team, including ISO and other relevant standards.
• Oversee validation and compliance for all engineering deliverables, including test equipment and product certifications.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• 5+ years of experience in engineering leadership, with a proven track record of driving organizational change
• Demonstrated success in leading teams through certification processes (e.g., ISO)
• Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and communication skills
• Experience in developing new revenue streams or business models within engineering

Preferred:

• Electrical Engineering experience with product and process validations
• Familiarity with UL approval and EMC/EMI testing
• 3+ years of hardware/software design experience
• Solid understanding of the role of software in modern electronics, including its impact on product design, testing, and manufacturing processes