Director of Engineering - Custom Systems

Director of Engineering - Custom Systems

Location: Harrison, OH

Cincinnati Test Systems (CTS) is a global leader in leak test instrumentation and custom automated test systems. Our solutions deliver fast, reliable, and repeatable results across demanding industries including Automotive, Medical, Consumer Goods, Energy, and Defense.

Our Custom Systems team designs and builds engineered-to-order automation systems that solve complex manufacturing and validation challenges. These systems represent some of the most technical, visible, and strategically important work we do.

We are seeking a Director of Engineering to lead this team and drive excellence in execution, performance, and team development.

The Director of Engineering is responsible for leading a multidisciplinary team of Project Managers, Controls Engineers, and Mechanical Engineers in the design and delivery of custom automation systems.

This position blends technical leadership, operational discipline, and business accountability. The Director is responsible for ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the high standards our customers expect — while building a strong, accountable, and capable engineering team.

This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone who values ownership, clarity, and continuous improvement.

• Provide leadership and direction to Project Management, Controls, and Mechanical Engineering teams
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and technical excellence
• Develop team capability through coaching, mentoring, and performance management
• Align staffing and resource planning with backlog and growth expectations

• Ensure disciplined project execution from order intake through shipment and installation
• Participate in order reviews to validate scope, technical feasibility, and margin alignment
• Monitor project performance, proactively managing risks related to cost, schedule, and quality
• Strengthen coordination between Engineering, Sales, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain
• Drive improvements that reduce delays, rework, and margin variability

• Treat the Custom Systems segment as a business unit with accountability for delivery, profitability, and resource utilization
• Maintain visibility into backlog, capacity planning, and financial performance
• Implement practical process improvements that increase efficiency and predictability
• Balance engineering excellence with sound business judgment

• Ensure systems meet or exceed customer expectations for quality, performance, and reliability
• Serve as an escalation point for complex technical or delivery challenges
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts based on customer feedback

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Controls Engineering (or related field)
• 10+ years of experience in custom automation, capital equipment, or engineered-to-order systems
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering and/or project management teams
• Strong understanding of full project lifecycle management in engineered systems environments
• Financial acumen related to cost control, margin management, and forecasting
• Excellent communication and leadership skills

• Experience overseeing manufacturing execution within a project-based environment
• Background in leak testing, validation systems, or automated production equipment
• Experience implementing process improvements in a custom engineering setting

• A leader who takes ownership and expects the same from their team
• Clear decision‑making and strong judgment
• Ability to balance technical details with broader business objectives
• Collaborative mindset with the confidence to hold teams accountable
• Commitment to building a strong, sustainable engineering organization

• Lead a highly skilled, multidisciplinary engineering team
• Direct impact on complex, high‑visibility automation projects
• Opportunity to shape how custom systems are designed and delivered
• Engineering‑driven culture focused on performance and reliability
• Stable, growing organization serving global industries