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Graco · 18 hours ago

Project Engineering Lead – Electric Motor R&D

Flagstaff, AZ

Full-time

Hybrid

Mid, Senior Level

$94K/yr - $164K/yr

7+ years exp

Graco is a leading manufacturer of fluid handling systems seeking a dynamic Project Engineering Lead for their R&D Center of Excellence in Flagstaff, Arizona. This leadership role involves managing complex R&D projects focused on developing next-generation electric motor technology and leading a team of engineers.

ConstructionMachinery ManufacturingManufacturing

Comp. & Benefits

No H1B

Responsibilities

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

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

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

Qualification

Electromechanical Product DevelopmentProject ManagementTechnical LeadershipMechanical EngineeringElectrical EngineeringRisk ManagementProject Management SoftwareOperations MindsetSolidWorksAltiumCommunication

Required

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, Mechanical constraints, and Motor Control (PCBA/Firmware) design

Project Tools: Proficiency in project management software and resource planning tools

Communication: Exceptional ability to distill complex technical data into clear updates for executive leadership and external clients

Operations Mindset: A demonstrated history of improving 'how work gets done'—developing templates and processes, optimizing workflows, or managing facility resources

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This role is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., H-1B, TN, F-1 OPT)