Director, Manufacturing Operations Engineering (Santiago de Querétaro)

Director, Manufacturing Operations Engineering – Mexico

Watlow is seeking a Director of Manufacturing Operations Engineering who will drive the advancement of manufacturing performance through the effective integration of product engineering and design, process engineering, and quality engineering functions across multiple sites in Mexico.

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Operations, Mexico, this technical leader ensures products are designed, manufactured, improved, and supported with a relentless focus on operational efficiency, quality excellence, scalability, and customer satisfaction.

Location: Querétaro, Mexico (Onsite)

What You'll Do

• Lead across engineering disciplines: own and align product engineering/design, manufacturing engineering, and quality engineering functions to drive operational performance, product reliability, and business growth across multiple sites.
• Shape engineering strategy: develop and execute engineering and manufacturing strategies that improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost with real measurable impact across the organization.
• Drive operational excellence: champion automation, continuous improvement, and DFX methodologies to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and elevate how the business operates day to day.
• Bring new products to life: oversee new product introduction and industrialization from design through scalable production, ensuring a smooth and successful launch every time.
• Own quality at every level: maintain and continuously improve a robust quality management system focused on design capability, process capability, defect reduction, customer satisfaction, and compliance.
• Be a true cross‑functional partner: collaborate closely with operations, supply chain, commercial, and leadership teams on capacity planning, capital investment, and strategic business initiatives.
• Build and develop high performing teams: attract, mentor, and grow technical talent while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement across multiple facilities.
• Lead with data: leverage KPIs and operational metrics to drive smarter decisions, accelerate speed to market, and continuously raise the bar on engineering, technology, and manufacturing performance.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience in industrial manufacturing or engineered products environments.
• Proven track record leading product design and engineering teams within a manufacturing or operations focused organization.
• Deep understanding of product development methodologies, product design, manufacturing processes, lean principles, product industrialization, and operational excellence methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience transforming engineering teams, taking organizations from informal or undocumented environments to highly structured, standardized, and disciplined operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or MBA preferred.
• Proven experience leading engineering functions across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Strong technical and analytical mindset with a natural ability to solve complex problems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated success developing mid‑level talent from both a technical and leadership perspective.
• Experience navigating turnaround situations with the ability to prioritize immediate needs while keeping mid and long term objectives in focus.
• Familiarity with CAD systems, PLM tools, ERP integration, and stage‑gate product development processes.
• Lean product development and/or Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Hands‑on leadership style with a natural ability to lead by example and serve as a mentor and coach to the team.