Leading Midwestern Firm Seeks Director of Engineering
Our firm has been retained to recruit a Director of Engineering for a leading engineering firm based in Cedar Rapids, IA. Our client is a growing company with a strong reputation in the ethanol production, biochemical and/or corn wet mill industries. They are seeking to identify a seasoned professional to provide leadership, strategy and tactical direction with the skills to lead an engineering division plus the entrepreneurial drive to build and propel this growing company towards 2-3x growth.
The Company
Our client was founded on extensive experience and know-how within the corn wet milling and ethanol production industries. This groups engineering and technical leadership team has been developing new technologies and process solutions applicable to the biofuels and biochemical industries for more than 25 years.
They have industrialized multiple patented technologies geared toward enhancing the base corn-to-ethanol dry grind process, creating new and novel alternative co-products, and supplying the growing need for carbohydrate building blocks in the biochemical market.
Our clients organizations consists of highly talented chemical and mechanical engineers with plant management/operational experience, as well as project managers with field construction expertise. This groups broad knowledge base and dedication to success adds value to any ethanol or biochemical plant.
The Position
Reporting to the Managing Partners, our client seeks a proactive and collaborative engineering executive who thrives on improvement while engaging and inspiring a team of professionals. The DE will ensure the smooth and timely development as well as the full execution of the detailed Schedule A package requirement for all projects. This executive will help develop and drive the overall detailed engineering work flow system, working directly with the engineering team and CAD members to ensure their work is accurate, detailed and timely meeting all client delivery dates as well as staying within budget parameters. Specific responsibilities include:
Continued Development and recruitment of an engineering team that delivers exceptional results and can meet the aggressive growth requirements over time
Build, perfect and implement the overall engineering strategy, staff and culture
Evolve and drive the overall detailed engineering work flow system optimizing efficiency, accuracy, client satisfaction and profitability
Develop and manage detailed engineering budgets/timelines and accurately project future project costs and project/process completion estimates
Take corrective action before timeline issues and/or budget constraints hit and work diligently to mitigate negative impacts to projects
Manage all third-party engineering firm deliverables /relationships ensuring quality work at all times
Lead the development of the critical process flows, data tracking and the overall creation of a robust engineering team delivering on time and on budget
Ensure the smooth and timely development and full execution of the detailed Schedule A package requirements
Be fully accountable for performance measurements and adjust work flow and team member schedule(s) as needed
Instill a high-quality work environment at all times and a strong QA/QC process for all engineering work flows
Develop a team and procedures to effectively identify and analyze pre-construction problems/issues with the design documentation and take timely steps to rectify and communicate identified issues
Develop a team and procedures to examine/inspect field conditions to identify problems, inaccuracies, and cost saving opportunities, while recommend/implement corrective actions where necessary and incorporate those findings into future process engineering documentation
Act safely and instill a strong safety behavior at all times whether at the firms office or at client processing facilities
Expand the existing system to manage document control; receive and maintain control log of new-issue drawings and other project/process documents. Review and issue new drawings and contractor documents for change of conditions; quantify impact of changes and review with management; distribute new issues to project teams
The position is supported by a team of five direct reports and total staff of thirty
Travel is expected to be around 20%
Based in Cedar Rapids, IA
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate fully comprehends all phases of construction activities as well as customer interactions and accurately communicates to all vested parties involved with engineering projects. She/he will have worked their way up through an engineering consulting design firm learning all aspects of the detailed engineering work flow and critical deliverables tied to the completion of all engineering/construction documents for industrial projects.
Experience required
Fifteen plus years of experience in the detailed process design and engineering business
Proven ability to oversee multiple projects with budget responsibility ranging from $1M to $50M
Experience within the Industrial Chemical, Petroleum Refining, BioEthanol, Ag, Pharmaceutical and/or a similar processing industry
Strong knowledge of mass and energy balance, system/equipment sizing/specification along with engineering cost estimation, mechanical system understanding and check-out, system start-up and commissioning experience, training, safety oversight, 3rd party vendor/supplier management and general set up of operations also preferred
In plant experience is highly desirable
Contract/contractor/vendor negotiation experience is desirable
Skills
Highly proficient in process engineering and process/project management
In depth knowledge of all detailed engineering package deliverables and the process flow knowledge of completing a full construction engineering package
Mechanical aptitude to assist the construction team for start-up systems and troubleshooting skills/tools
Proficient in project management and project execution
Proficient/understanding in ChemCAD or Aspen modeling software
Proficient in CAD system and more specific Plant 3D
Proficient in detailed chemical/mechanical engineering calculations, including but not limited to pump, line and tank/equipment sizing, system/equipment specifications, mass and energy balance work among other core engineering disciplines. Ability to fully develop, draft and understand P&ID’s and construction drawings
Detailed civil (site and soil prep, concrete/rebar, structural steel) comprehension of industrial projects is required
Piping (mechanical), electrical (MCC switch gear, transformers, motor wiring) and automation (instrumentation wiring and installation) knowledge and design details is a must
Contract/contractor/vendor negotiation experience is desirable
Highly proficient in process engineering and process/project management. Soft on team members, hard of results
Ensures job/work flow accountabilities are understood by all parties involved and acted upon in a timely manner
Effectively identify and analyze pre-construction problems/issues with the design documentation
Personal characteristics
Team Player, Analytical, Decisive, Problem Solver, Develops Others, Customer-Oriented, Result Driven, Goal-Oriented
Education level
Ideal candidates will have a BS degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering. Advanced degree a plus but not required.
NOTES:
Employer will assist with relocation costs.
Additional Salary Information: Base and bonus package. Competitive within the engineering firm sector.
