Senior Manager Design Engineering (Hybrid / Decatur, GA)

Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives. 

We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform. We focus on customer outcomes and drive growth and productivity to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals. 

Acuity Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuityinc.com. 

Job Summary

If you are looking for a developmental role to build your leadership and continuous improvement skills and are passionate about new products and leading people, then this career opportunity will excite you. The Manager of Design Engineering for VAVE will directly manage a team that is responsible for product development from concept through production of cost reduction, new product, and technology introduction projects, as well as sustaining and resolution of field problems. Leads electro-mechanical product design and/or redesign, part assembly and detailed part drawings. Leads prototyping, testing, and assembly of samples. Leads various Product Design/development projects and teams. Must be able to collaborate with and influence all cross functional members of the design team. Must be able to present and communicate project status updates to senior management. Conducts daily management meetings with the cross-functional team.

 

It is essential this leader recognize the importance of developing personnel and show the willingness to take the necessary actions to support that development while balancing the needs of the overall organization. The Manager of Design Engineering for VAVE should be culturally aligned with business needs and company direction, a strategic thinker, and able to effectively develop and execute strategy within the VAVE team. This person must possess strong leadership and management skills, exhibiting our Company Values in how their work is completed.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Teaches/Leads various aspects of the design process including, but not limited to, the development of part geometry, assembly design and drawing generation. Design work varies from new product development to product enhancements and cost reduction activities. Develops, distributes, and/or approves engineering data in the form of Engineering Change Notices, bills of material and parts tracking. Manage collaboration with vendor partners. (25%)
• Manages relationships with internal manufacturing facilities and external vendors to resolve part or assembly issues, deviation requests and bill of material errors, and schedule and conduct pilot/pre-production runs, first article inspections, tool run-offs and plan for production release. (15%)

• Assists with human resource allocation and budget planning in accordance with road map provided by product management. Conduct annual performance reviews, recommend compensation planning, and development of team members. Lead team meetings using the product delivery system (stage gate product development) for each major product. (20%)
• Champions and schedules concept development by initiating and developing concepts for new products from Project Charters, and Specification Matrix provided by the Product Manager and other avenues such as reviewing competitor's samples and documentation, and free design techniques. Ensures concepts must be agreeable with standard manufacturing methods utilized in the appropriate manufacturing facility. (15%)
• Continuously looks for and directs the implementation of process improvements related to productivity, quality, purchasing and manufacturing; to include sourcing new or alternate processes, equipment, and/or training of manpower. Looks for advancements or changes in technology via tradeshows, technology councils, vendors, or other methods. (10%)
• Teaches/Supports ABS/Lean Transformation by leading Kaizen teams and ensuring team completes post-Kaizen activity. Monitors the effectiveness of Kaizen-related changes. (10%)
• Ensures the team is submitting