Part-time Engineering Jobs in Thornton, CO

Engineering Director

Location: Arvada, CO (On-Site)
Employment Type: Direct Hire | Full-Time | Exempt
Compensation: $175,000 Base Salary + Performance Bonus

About the Opportunity

We are recruiting for a well-established, industry-leading manufacturer based in the Denver metro area for an Engineering Director. This is a high-impact leadership role overseeing a multidisciplinary engineering team spanning mechanical, electrical, and software/controls disciplines.

The right candidate will bring both hands-on technical depth and a proven track record of leading engineering organizations through full product lifecycles, from concept through industrialization and ongoing support. This role requires an individual who can not only execute engineering projects but also build organizational capability, develop engineering talent, and establish the processes and structure needed to support future growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of mechanical, electrical, and software engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement cross-training programs to build team versatility and encourage knowledge sharing across engineering disciplines.
• Provide strategic direction and ensure alignment of engineering activities with broader organizational goals and business objectives.
• Drive engineering initiatives from concept through launch — managing timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Own complex engineering development programs and ensure successful execution across multiple disciplines and stakeholders.
• Build organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, hiring, coaching, and performance management.
• Coordinate design efforts across mechanical, electrical, and software domains to ensure seamless system integration.
• Collaborate with cross-functional and international teams to identify and execute strategic engineering projects.
• Oversee development of embedded controls software and ensure alignment with mechanical and electrical system requirements.
• Guide mechanical and electrical design activities to meet performance, safety, and compliance standards.
• Champion design-for-manufacturability and reliability across all engineering disciplines.
• Ensure system-level performance optimization through effective integration of hardware and software components.
• Audit, revise, and establish engineering processes and work instructions to improve efficiency and quality.
• Partner with production, operations, and quality teams to optimize manufacturing processes and reduce costs.
• Apply structured project management methodologies (e.g., PMI, Agile, Stage Gate) to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Drive risk management, change control, and clear stakeholder communication throughout project lifecycles.
• Develop and implement engineering processes, accountability systems, and organizational structures that support scalability and long-term growth.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Software Engineering, or a related field (Master's preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams, including direct responsibility for team development, organizational planning, performance management, and engineering project ownership.
• 6+ years of engineering experience in manufacturing or product development environments.
• Proven ability to lead complex, cross-disciplinary projects from concept through production.
• Demonstrated experience owning major engineering development programs with accountability for project execution, resource planning, timelines, budgets, and delivery.
• Proven experience building, developing, and growing engineering teams.
• Strong project management skills; experience with PMI, Agile, or Stage Gate methodologies.
• Mechanical: proficiency in solid modeling (SolidWorks or equivalent), design-for-manufacturing principles, tolerance analysis, and materials.
• Electrical: experience with panel design, NEC/UL/ETL compliance, PCB design, power electronics, and embedded hardware.
• Software/Controls: familiarity with embedded systems, C/C++, real-time OS, and communication protocols.
• Experience with systems engineering practices including requirements management, interface control, and configuration/change management.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of an organization.
• Strong problem-solving ability, active listening skills, and a hands-on leadership style.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership responsibilities with hands-on technical involvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering or related field.
• Background in fluid power/hydraulic systems (pumps, valves, actuators, circuit design, contamination control).
• Experience with EMC/EMI compliance, sensor/actuator integration, and embedded hardware design.
• Prior experience leading engineering teams in a global or matrixed organization.
• Experience growing engineering teams or departments to support increased manufacturing capacity, product development initiatives, or organizational expansion.
• Demonstrated success building high-performing engineering organizations within a manufacturing or product development environment.
• Experience leading managers, technical leads, or multidisciplinary engineering groups within a growing organization.

Compensation & Schedule

• Base Salary: $175,000, plus performance bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off, holidays, and flexible scheduling.
• Full-time, on-site role in Arvada, CO.

Additional Information

Our client is a well-respected, growth-oriented manufacturer with a strong culture of innovation and a collaborative engineering environment. The team is hands-on, technically strong, and values leaders who can operate at both a strategic and practical level.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success leading engineering organizations, developing talent, and building teams capable of supporting future growth. Candidates who have experience scaling engineering functions, establishing organizational structure, and driving accountability across multidisciplinary teams will be particularly attractive.

If you're an engineering leader who thrives on building teams, solving complex integration challenges, owning major development initiatives, and delivering products that make a real-world impact — we'd like to hear from you.