About this opportunity
Stellar Snacks lists this Director of Engineering opportunity in carson city, Nevada. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
The Director of Engineering & Maintenance is responsible for the mechanical and technical integrity of Stellar Snacks' manufacturing operations across two production sites. This role combines hands-on engineering leadership with direct managerial accountability, overseeing and holding the site-level Maintenance Managers accountable for equipment reliability, safety, and performance. The Director splits time between both locations to ensure consistent execution.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Accountability
Directly manage and hold the Maintenance Manager(s) at both sites accountable for KPIs including equipment uptime, PM compliance, work order closure rates, and down time to repair
Conduct regular performance reviews and daily/weekly accountability check-ins with maintenance leadership at each location
Set clear, measurable goals for maintenance teams and enforce corrective action when targets are missed
Build and coach a bench of qualified maintenance technicians and mechanics across both sites; own hiring, training, and succession planning
Standardize maintenance practices, SOPs, and safety protocols across both locations to ensure consistency
Hands-On Technical Ownership
Personally diagnose and troubleshoot complex mechanical, electrical, PLC, and automation issues when escalated beyond site-level capability
Serve as the technical authority on critical production equipment (fillers, packaging lines, conveyors, ovens/fryers, refrigeration, etc.) — able to get hands dirty, not just manage from a spreadsheet
Lead root cause analysis (RCA) on recurring or catastrophic equipment failures and implement permanent corrective actions
Review and approve engineering specs for equipment repairs, upgrades, and capital projects
Step in on the floor during critical downtime events to drive faster resolution alongside the team
Lead engineering evaluation, design, and specification for new equipment, process changes, and plant upgrades across both facilities
Oversee the capital project lifecycle end-to-end: scoping, budgeting, vendor/contractor selection, installation, commissioning, and validation of new lines or equipment
Read, create, and maintain accurate electrical schematics, P&IDs, and mechanical drawings for critical equipment at both sites
Partner with production/process engineering to improve line speeds, reduce changeover time, and raise OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
Evaluate and implement automation and controls upgrades (PLC programming, HMI, sensors, networked controls) to reduce manual intervention and unplanned downtime
Oversee equipment lifecycle planning — make repair-vs-replace calls, plan for end-of-life equipment, and forecast multi-year capital needs across both sites
Manage relationships and hold accountable equipment OEMs, engineering contractors, and integration vendors
Ensure all new installations and modifications meet food safety, OSHA, electrical (NEC), and local code requirements
Drive energy efficiency and utility cost-reduction projects (compressed air, refrigeration, steam, electrical distribution)
Establish and enforce engineering documentation standards — equipment manuals, spare parts BOMs, and as-built drawings kept current at both locations
Preventive & Reliability Programs
Oversee the preventive/predictive maintenance (PM/PdM) program across both sites, ensuring schedules are built, followed, and continuously improved
Drive reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) initiatives to reduce unplanned downtime and extend asset life
Establish and monitor spare parts inventory strategy, critical spares lists, and vendor relationships across both facilities
Implement and audit CMMS (computerized maintenance management system) usage for accurate data, tracking, and reporting
Cross-Site Operations & Strategy
Travel between both locations regularly to maintain visibility, consistency, and direct oversight of on-the-ground execution
Align maintenance strategy with production schedules, plant management, and operations leadership at both sites
Develop and manage the combined maintenance budget (labor, parts, contractors, capital) across both locations
Lead capital equipment planning, installation, and commissioning projects for both sites
Ensure compliance with OSHA, food safety (GMP/SQF), and environmental regulations across all maintenance activities
Report site-level and consolidated maintenance performance metrics to senior leadership
Culture & Safety
Champion a safety-first culture, including lockout/tagout (LOTO), machine guarding, and incident investigation
Foster a culture of ownership and urgency within maintenance teams, eliminating a "that's not my job" mentality
Drive continuous improvement (Lean/Six Sigma principles) in maintenance processes to reduce cost and downtime
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering preferred; equivalent hands-on experience will be considered in lieu of a degree
8+ years of progressive maintenance/engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, including 3+ years in a multi-site or department-head leadership role
Proven track record of managing and holding maintenance managers/supervisors accountable to measurable performance standards
Strong hands-on mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills — must be able to work alongside technicians on the floor, not just direct from an office
Working knowledge of PLCs, industrial automation/controls, hydraulics, pneumatics, and food/beverage processing or packaging equipment (or comparable industrial equipment)
Experience managing a CMMS, PM/PdM programs, and maintenance budgets
Demonstrated experience in food manufacturing environments preferred (GMP, SQF, HACCP familiarity a plus)
Strong understanding of OSHA regulations, LOTO, and industrial safety standards
Willingness and ability to travel regularly between two sites
Excellent communication skills with the ability to give direct, candid feedback and hold people accountable
Physical Requirements & Work Environment
Regular travel between both production sites required (frequency to be defined by leadership — e.g., weekly or biweekly rotation)
Ability to work on the plant floor, including exposure to noise, temperature variation, moving machinery, and typical food-manufacturing conditions
Ability to stand, walk, climb, bend, kneel, and lift up to 50 lbs when diagnosing or assisting with equipment repairs
Availability to respond to urgent equipment failures outside normal business hours, including some nights/weekends
Comfortable wearing required PPE and following all plant safety protocols
Some office-based work required for budgeting, reporting, and administrative duties
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Worksite address
carson city, NV, 89702, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.