Project Engineering Manager

Are you passionate about leading complex automation engineering projects and turning innovative concepts into reality?
Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership career, shaping engineering strategy while developing talented teams and delivering world-class automation solutions?
Professional Staffing is representing our client, a global leader in custom automation and advanced manufacturing solutions, in the search for an experienced Project Engineering Manager to join their team in the Waterloo Region, Ontario.
This is an opportunity to step into a highly influential leadership position where your engineering expertise, business acumen, and ability to inspire people will directly contribute to the success of exciting, large-scale automation projects.
What You'll Be DoingEngineering Operations & Project Management
Provide overall leadership to the Project Engineering department, guiding senior technical professionals and coordinating departmental priorities.
Establish clear contractual understanding and ensure an effective transfer of project information from the PMO to engineering through the ‘Open Book Project Communication’ method.
Oversee engineering schedules, priorities, documentation, and deliverables to keep project activities progressing on time.
Work alongside internal stakeholders to confirm contractual requirements are fulfilled and engineering designs receive approval before manufacturing begins.
Introduce and refine departmental processes, workflows, and strategies that encourage innovation, scalability, and technical excellence.
Evaluate departmental results against business objectives, establish KPIs, and introduce improvements to strengthen performance.
Keep informed of emerging technologies, industry developments, and design standards to continually advance engineering capabilities.
Oversee departmental financial planning and budgets, ensuring resources are managed effectively to support profitability.
Partner with Human Resources on workforce planning, recruitment requirements, and future technical resource needs.
Translate senior leadership direction into short and long term departmental objectives that align with corporate priorities.
Assess changing business requirements and direct departmental focus accordingly.
Participate in interviews for direct reporting positions to evaluate candidates' technical capabilities and suitability.
Build strong working relationships across engineering and other departments, encouraging collaboration and open communication.
Maintain consistent engagement with direct reports through meetings focused on project progress, team effectiveness, and upcoming priorities.
Invest in employee development through coaching, mentorship, and opportunities for professional advancement.
Lead the performance review process for direct reports, connecting individual contributions with departmental and organizational objectives.
Set clear expectations, distribute responsibilities appropriately, and identify opportunities to improve team productivity and processes.
Maintain compliance with quality, safety, and reliability standards applicable to the Automation industry.
Confirm engineering concepts align with our client's and customer expectations.
Encourage a positive workplace culture that reflects the organization's core values.
Project Delivery & Accountability
Maintain oversight of project schedules and key deliverables, ensuring milestones are achieved and progress is communicated regularly to the Director of Engineering.
Uphold strong written and verbal communication standards when working with internal teams and external stakeholders.
Demonstrate professional accountability by following the client's ethical standards and Project Operating Policy.
What We're Looking For
University Degree Engineering / Robotics Automation
Ontario P.Eng license is preferred, eligibility for P.Eng license is required
10+ years of experience in the automation industry
5+ years of increasing responsibility in an engineering capacity
Familiarity with applicable codes/standards from various regions (Canada, US, Europe)
Demonstrated leadership experience, including direct employee oversight and coaching
Computer skills required, including MS Office, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and ERP Software
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