Project Engineering Lead - Electric Motor R&D

Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. What does that mean? Well, we pump peanut butter into your jar, and the oil in your car. We glue the soles of your shoes, the glass in your windows and the screen on your phone. We spray the finish on your vehicle, coatings on your pills, the paint on your house and texture on your walls.

Graco is part of your daily life.

About ETM & Graco

ETM (now part of Graco Inc.) is located in Flagstaff, AZ. While we operate with the speed and innovation of a tech startup, we are backed by Graco (NYSE: GGG), a Minneapolis-based Fortune 1000 leader in fluid handling systems with over 3,000 employees worldwide.

This role offers the best of both worlds: the opportunity to shape a growing R&D facility and the stability of an established global manufacturer.

Ready to Join Us?

We are seeking a dynamic Project Engineering Lead to join our R&D Center of Excellence in Flagstaff, Arizona. This is a high-impact leadership role within a specialized team of ~20 engineers (part of a broader 30-person division) developing next-generation electric motor technology.

Our team focuses on creating high-performance transverse flux electric motors with unprecedented torque density and efficiency. Unlike a traditional manufacturing model, our primary business model is technology development and licensing. You will lead cross-functional projects to develop and transfer these cutting-edge designs to global customers and partners.

This is a hybrid leadership position. You will act as a Project Manager navigating technical risk, budgets, and customer requirements, and as a People Leader managing a team of 3-6 Mechanical and Electrical Engineers (ranging from Interns to senior level Engineers).

What You Will Do at Graco

Project Management & Customer Interface

* Lead complex R&D projects from concept through to technology transfer/licensing, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and technical specifications.

* Serve as the primary point of contact for external customers, suppliers, and outside agencies.

* Manage project constraints, balancing product performance (torque, efficiency, thermal) against cost targets and schedule pressures.

* Manage and report status of various aspects of projects (part tracking, prototype builds, documentation creation, testing, risk assessment, process development).

* Conduct rigorous risk management (FMEA, critical path analysis) to navigate the uncertainties inherent in developing novel technologies.

People Leadership & Development

* Directly manage a team of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers with a wide range of experience levels.

* Conduct performance reviews, mentor staff for career growth, and foster a collaborative, high-performance culture.

* Provide ongoing coaching to engineers, offering guidance and support as they work through challenging technical issues. Facilitate problem-solving sessions and encourage innovative approaches to complex engineering problems.

* Coordinate with technical leads in Electromagnetic Design, Mechanical/Manufacturing, and Electrical Engineering (Hardware/Firmware) to ensure project resource needs are met.

Operational Excellence & Strategy

* Drive continuous improvement in the Flagstaff office operations, including resource leveling, engineering process development, and facility management.

* Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for project tracking and documentation to support the licensing business model.

* Collaborate with Graco HQ (Minneapolis) to align local R&D practices with corporate quality, design, and manufacturing standards where applicable.

What You Will Bring to Graco

* Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field.

* 7+ years of engineering experience with at least 2+ years in a project management or technical leadership role.

* Experience in electromechanical product development, R&D, or manufacturing environments.

* Technical Fluency:
Ability to "speak the language" of the technical teams, understanding the interplay between Electromagnetic modeling,…