Vice President of Engineering - Elevator Systems

The VP of Engineering will lead a multidisciplinary team of mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers while partnering closely with Operations, Sales, Field Services, Quality, and Executive Leadership to support the company's strategic growth objectives. This role requires a balance of executive leadership, technical expertise, product vision, and practical manufacturing experience.

Founded in 1996, our client is a leading manufacturer, installer, and servicer of high-end home elevators with operations in over 15 states and 200+ employees. We’re proud of our commitment to safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership

• Lead and develop the engineering organization, including mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing functions.
• Establish engineering priorities aligned with company objectives and growth strategies.

Product Development

• Direct the design and development of new elevator products and enhancements.
• Oversee product lifecycle management from concept through commercialization.
• Drive innovation while maintaining manufacturability, reliability, and cost objectives.
• Ensure products meet customer expectations for quality, performance, and aesthetics.

Code Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure compliance with applicable elevator codes and standards, including, but not limited to:
• ASME A17.1 / CSA B44
• State and local regulatory requirements
• Applicable electrical and safety standards
• Manage engineering support for inspections, certifications, and regulatory approvals.
• Coordinate third-party engineering reviews and certifications where required.

Manufacturing & Operations Support

• Partner with Manufacturing to improve manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and throughput.
• Lead design-for-manufacturing initiatives.
• Create and support root cause analysis, as well as corrective actions for production and field issues.
• Drive value engineering and cost reduction efforts.

Controls & Electrical Systems

• Provide leadership in elevator control systems, PLC-based automation, safety circuits, encoders, drives, and related technologies.
• Oversee software and controls development efforts.
• Ensure system reliability, maintainability, and regulatory compliance.

Field Services & Product Support

• Support field operations with technical expertise and problem resolution.
• Establish engineering processes for warranty reduction and continuous product improvement.
• Analyze field data and customer feedback to drive product enhancements.

Strategic Planning

• Develop and execute long-term product and technology roadmaps.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, suppliers, and industry trends.
• Participate in strategic business planning and capital investment decisions.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and new market opportunities as needed.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience.
• 5+ years managing engineering teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of product development, manufacturing processes, and quality systems.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and large engineering projects.
• Experience recruiting, mentoring, and retaining high-performing engineering talent.
• Experience building a culture of accountability, innovation, continuous improvement, and customer focus.
• Experience with lean manufacturing methods and continuous improvement
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

Preferred

• Experience with elevator systems, vertical transportation equipment, lifts, or related industries.
• Experience with PLCs, industrial controls, VFDs, safety systems, and automation.
• Knowledge of ASME A17.1 and related codes.
• Experience supporting field service organizations and warranty reduction initiatives.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Technical Leadership
• Team Development
• Decision Making
• Change Management
• Financial Acumen
• Customer Focus
• Continuous Improvement Mindset

Success Metrics

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Improve product reliability and reduce warranty costs.
• Accelerate new product development initiatives.
• Enhance manufacturing efficiency and product quality.
• Maintain regulatory compliance across all product lines.
• Develop and retain a high-performing engineering organization.
• Support company growth through innovation and operational excellence.