Engineering Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

Smiths Interconnect is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance interconnect solutions. Our products are used in critical applications in industries such as aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and industrial markets. At Smiths Interconnect, we are committed to innovation, quality and providing cutting-edge solutions that connect the world's most demanding systems.

Smiths Interconnect is part of the Smiths Group. For more than 170 years, Smiths has been at the forefront of engineering progress for a better future. We serve millions of people each year, to help create a safer, more efficient and productive world, and better connected in four global markets : energy, security and defense, space and aerospace, and general industrial. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs c.16,000 colleagues in more than 50 countries.

Job Description

The Engineering function at Smiths Interconnect Canada is responsible for delivering innovative solutions in rugged photonics and advanced micro-electronics for commercial, defense and aerospace applications. This team ensures that all engineering activities, from design and development to process optimization, meet business objectives, regulatory standards, and customer expectations.

As Engineering Manager, you will provide leadership and direction to the Montréal rugged photonics Engineering Department. Establishing engineering strategies, ensuring their execution under sound engineering practices, customer satisfaction standards, and excellence in design and manufacturing. This includes developing proactive technology roadmaps to support long-term growth, optimizing manufacturing processes, improving efficiency, ensuring compliance with quality management and regulatory standards, reliability requirements and regulatory compliance frameworks (e.g. ITAR, CGP), and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The role combines deep technical expertise with strong leadership skills to deliver operational excellence and support strategic business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor, and develop the Montréal rugged photonics Engineering Department, providing strategic leadership and direction for photonics products and advanced micro-electronics assembly technologies.
• Lead employees using a performance management and development process that engages contributions through goal setting, feedback, and development planning.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to plan and execute staffing decisions that sustain technical competitiveness.
• Establish local department goals in alignment with site management, manufacturing teams, and the Global Engineering Director.
• Manage resource capacity, including assignments, training, leave management, and administer continuous performance review programs to ensure effectiveness, compliance, and equity.
• Work with Operations to integrate manufacturing processes into new designs and technologies, ensuring manufacturability and alignment with business needs.
• Analyze current manufacturing processes and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Implement Lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Use data-driven approaches to monitor process performance and identify trends.
• Prepare reports and present findings to senior management.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies to enhance product and production capabilities.
• Stay current on industry best practices and emerging trends.
• Develop a long-term technology roadmap for rugged photonics components (multi-lane digital and analog transceivers), focusing on innovation in materials, manufacturing processes, and product designs.
• Monitor progress of NPI projects, confer with team leaders and engineers, and ensure development progresses according to schedule.
• Collaborate with external partners (e.g., universities) to support long-term technical roadmaps and manage intellectual property from these partnerships.
• Coordinate with project teams to ensure milestones are achieved and risks mitigated.
• Manage and review activities, budgets, costs, and forecasts to track progress toward goals.
• Prepare periodic operating reports highlighting innovation, team performance, and resilience.
• Lead process improvement projects from concept to implementation.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure timely and cost-effective project delivery.
• Ensure compliance and participation in all Smiths Health and Safety programs, policies, procedures, and training requirements.
• Ensure processes meet regulatory, safety, and quality standards (e.g., ITAR, CGP, MIL standards).
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree required

Master's Degree Preferred

Electrical Engineering or related field

OIQ Member, asset

Optonique Member, asset

Ability to travel domestically and internationally

Significant experience leading a team of highly technical employees (minimum 15 years).

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Additional Information

Controlled Goods and Technology

A part of this position, you will be required to examine, handle, or transfer highly confidential equipment and technologies, including technical data or any technical assistance (such as instructions, training, etc.) classified as controlled goods. These goods have military or strategic significant, are critical to national security, and are strictly regulated under the Defence Production Act (DPA), and the Controlled Goods Regulations (CGR), as part of Canada’s Controlled Goods Program (CGP).

As a condition of an offer of employment, you must agree to undergo a security assessment conducted by Smiths Interconnect Canada designated official, in compliance with the CGP and DPA requirements. This screening includes the verification of proof of citizenship or permanent resident status, a criminal record and other security check. The disclosure of controlled goods to unauthorized persons is a criminal offense under Canadian law, therefor, you will be required to strictly comply with all Canadian laws that apply to controlled goods.

Planning and Decision Making :

Scope and Complexity :

Plans and directs all aspects of engineering activities within Smiths Interconnect – Montreal’s team of approximately 25 employees, ensuring projects, initiatives, and processes conform to organizational policies and objectives.

Establishes operating policies and procedures that impact multiple departments and subordinate work units, while interpreting company-wide standards for local application.

Develops and manages budgets, schedules, and performance standards to meet strategic and operational goals.

Contributes to the definition and achievement of functional KPIs and supports Environment, Health, Safety, and Security programs.

Collaborates across multiple sites and geographies, influencing decisions and resource allocation beyond the local organization.

May oversee reporting relationships in multiple locations, requiring coordination across diverse teams and disciplines

Liaisons :

Engage regularly with multiple stakeholders internally (Operations, PLM, Sales, Quality), externally (customers, suppliers, partners) and senior leadership to align engineering priorities with business objectives.

Lead technical briefings and collaborate with external partners, including customers, suppliers, and universities, to support innovation and product development.

Represent the engineering function in cross-functional teams, customer meetings, and supply chain interactions.

Provide training and technical guidance to internal and external stakeholders on products and capabilities.

Health, Safety and Environment Requirements :

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)