Director, Engineering Operations

Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases is a leading provider of cryogenic pumps, heat exchangers, process systems, services, and solutions for the LNG and industrial gases industry. We are a subsidiary of Nikkiso Company Ltd, a leading industrial manufacturer headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with over $1.5 B in annual revenue, 8000 + employees worldwide, and publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Nikkiso ACD is an engineering and manufacturing company specializing in machinery designed to operate at cryogenic temperatures as low as – 420 degrees Fahrenheit, the boiling point of Liquid hydrogen. For over 50 years, Nikkiso ACD has specialized in centrifugal and reciprocating pumps as well as turbines for air separation. Nikkiso ACD has the most diversified product line in the industry covering nearly every application requiring pumps or turboexpanders.

This position is based at Nikkiso ACD, LLC, located in Santa Ana, CA.

Leading the Engineering department and reporting to the General Manager, the Director, Engineering Operations provides leadership, vision and support for the engineering team. The Director, Engineering Operations manages and coordinates the work of the engineering team and provides leadership, support and focus while ensuring company goals are met.

• Plans and directs all aspects of engineering activities and projects within an organization.
• Ensures all engineering projects, initiatives, and processes are in conformance with organization's established policies and objectives.
• Oversees a robust engineering process and delivery timelines to keep projects on schedule and on budget.
• Utilizes best practice engineering methods and provides expert technical guidance for engineering initiatives.
• Responsible for generating and implementing recovery plans for past due engineering milestones to ensure test dates and contractual delivery requirements are maintained.
• Implements and maintains overall engineering objectives and initiatives.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities in relation to engineering designs and drawings.
• Make recommendations for continuous improvement in operational efficiency and safety of the test facility.
• Direct, review, and approve product designs and changes.
• Ensure engineering procedures required to mitigate risk of engineering flaws in designs or drawings are in place and being executed.
• Conducts a continuous search of new materials, processes, and procedures to enhance and improve the product line.
• Prepare and maintain summary of overall engineering status for each project for weekly reporting to General Manager, CEO, or other Directors.
• This list is not comprehensive, and tasks not mentioned here may be required.

Required Skills:

• Strong operational skills in a product development environment
• Must possess a history of strong leadership, deep practical engineering knowledge and proven record of accomplishment for timely project delivery, project management, cost control and customer satisfaction.
• Must be able to work effectively in a team environment and will interface closely with Quality, Project Management, Purchasing, and Operations.
• Extensive 3D CAD software experience; SolidWorks experience required
• EPDM experience; SolidWorks EPDM preferred
• Bring knowledge and creativity to the position as well as have the discipline to drive results and follow established fundamental processes.
• Demonstrated team building and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and innovate.
• Technical Program Management
• Knowledge of ISO standards and engineering related administrative and filing procedures
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors and other staff

Required Experience and Education:

• BSME is required.
• 8+ years’ in a progressively responsible leadership role in engineering field.
• Extensive knowledge of engineering theory and design criteria.

Work Environmental and Physical Demands:

• In order to perform the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel, talk and hear, and use fingers and hands to feel objects, tools or controls.
• Overtime may be necessary as the workload dictates. This may include week days, weekends, nights and/or holidays.
• Job will generally be performed in an office environment, but may require travel to a Client's office, production facility or industrial/construction job site. Conditions will vary at each location, but the conditions listed above will generally apply.
• Travel as required

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the employer will provide reasonable accommodations to meet the work environmental and physical demands listed above.

The knowledge, skills and abilities listed above are typically acquired through the levels of education and experience listed. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience that provides an applicant with the listed knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job, may be accepted.

Salary: $145,000 - $175,000 per year

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Nikkiso CE&IG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.