Engineering Project Manager

Digital Control Incorporated (DCI) is the world’s leading supplier of underground locating and steering products for the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry. Since the introduction of this revolutionary technology 30 years ago, Digital Control has been at the forefront of trenchless technologies that enable the efficient installation of underground utilities such as fiber optic, telecom, gas, and water lines world-wide. DCI’s products are valued for their durable design, ease of use and uncompromising commitment to customer service.

DCI is seeking an Engineering Project Manager in Kent, Washington to be responsible for responsible for project management, people management and business partnership with Product Management. If you are passionate about leading a team of engineers to successfully commercialize amazing products that enable the infrastructure backbone globally, then DCI could be a perfect fit for you!

What you’ll do:

• Manage the development of products working to schedule, budget and performance goals established in conjunction with partners in Product Management and the head of the RDE department, in keeping with goals for new products.
• Prepare and maintain detail planning of project activities. This planning includes detail schedules, cost estimates and resource assignments.
• Ensure that all design activities are completed in accordance with DCI’s New Product Introduction (NPI) process.
• Participate in product line planning working closely with Product Management, and other key product sponsors to the develop product line and define engineering project goals consistent with corporate plans and goals.
• Coordinate activities of the project team with other engineering, marketing, and operations functions to maintain efficiency and effectiveness.
• Prepare annual expense budget and monitor and control activity to these plans.
• Support iterative improvement of existing products.
• Participate in introductory product training for operations, sales, service, and applications.
• Monitor the progress of all product design and modification activities to ensure project cost, schedule, and technical requirements are achieved.
• Provide reports as required to communicate project status to management including accomplishments, risk and key upcoming milestones for scope, budget, schedule, and resources.
• Develop contingency plans to address problems and risks encountered in project execution.
• Work in conjunction with other managers in the RDE department to optimize the overall performance of the organization. This may include solving emerging issues with resources, processes, and products. It may include development of long-term, medium term and short-term plans.
• Hire, develop, and coach engineering staff in accordance with company policies and procedures. Writes performance evaluations, recommends appropriate salary increases and other job-related changes per established guidelines.
• Note that the above details describe the principal duties of an employee in this position but are not to be considered as all-inclusive. Employees may be asked to perform related duties by their supervisor.

Requirements

• BS/BA degree from an accredited university in engineering or related scientific field, and 8+ year experience as an engineer or scientist, or
• MS/MA or Ph.D. degree from an accredited university in engineering or related scientific field and 5+ years of experience as an engineer or scientist.
• 3+ years as a Project and/or Program Manager and
• 3+ years as a direct manager of an engineering staff
• MBA or MEM desired but not required.
• PMP Certification desired but not required.
• Strong business acumen.
• Excellent organization and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of staff, verbally & in writing.
• Assertive interpersonal & problem-solving skills that build consensus & resolve issues.
• Word & Excel skills required; MS Project highly desired.

If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to still apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or another role at DCI.

Who you are:

• Passionate about managing engineers from multiple disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, firmware, software or others.
• Experienced with Project Management
  • Develops products to detailed specifications determined in conjunction with Product Management and/or other RDE management.
  • Owns the product development execution for one or more product lines.
  • Maintains and drives teams to integrated project schedules and is responsible for developing and executing resource plans.
  • Develops and maintains a cost center expense budget and capital equipment budget.
• Proven at People Management
  • Manages mixed discipline of engineers and technicians engaged in design activities.
  • Acts as primary supervisor for core contributors to specific projects.
• Skilled with Business Partnerships
  • Acts as a key partner with Product Management personnel in creating and/or extending the business in a product line or several product lines.

Benefits

• Unparalleled health benefits (PPO plan with no deductibles, no co-pays, DCI covers 99% of costs)
• Quarterly bonuses: we all share in the success of the company
• Professional development
• 401k match (3% match from DCI regardless of participation, 5% maximum match, 100% vested immediately)
• 22 days PTO
• Dog-friendly work environment
• Parental leave
• Company covers 100% of payroll taxes for state family medical leave
• 11 annual paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday
• Winter break (we are closed the last week of each year)
• Free convenient parking and commuter benefits
• Located in a quiet business park near walking trail
• See more benefits information here.

Compensation:

• DCI is proud to offer comprehensive compensation packages including competitive base pay and discretionary quarterly profit sharing bonuses to all part-time and full-time team members. Base pay is reviewed at a minimum on an annual basis.
• Pay range: $145,800 – $182,300 per year. Factors considered for pay include the level of skill, experience, training, external market factors, and internal value.
• Profit sharing bonus: Over the last 3 years, quarterly bonuses ranged between 12% and 27%. Future bonuses could be higher or lower depending on company profits.

Why DCI?

Work hard, play often… DCI employees are innovative and creative. Our open (forest-like) work environment creates free flowing conversations across all functions. We have gaming days; Lego challenges and ping pong matches to build on our creativity when one hits a roadblock. If that is not enough, our employees bring their four-legged companions (dogs) to work and can take them for a walk around the Green River trail.

DCI takes pride in caring a lot about our employees. We believe that employees should not be burdened with benefits expenses, so we provide lucrative health care plans unmatched in most other companies. We also like to eat at DCI and find any excuse to celebrate the most random holidays (Pi Day, Chocolate Ice Cream Day, etc.) We have monthly catered lunches, a fully stocked snack area, sporting tickets, wellness competitions, and most importantly a team of people who will tell you that DCI is the best place they’ve ever worked. This is evident by our long service team and low turnover.

Hybrid Work Schedule:

The position requires schedule flexibility to meet deadlines and the ability to positively motivate others to achieve aggressive goals. It may also require some travel (less than 25%) including to international locations. This position has a primary work location at the Kent, WA location.

We Celebrate Inclusion:

DCI is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at DCI is based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. DCI does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), or any other basis protected by law.

It is DCI’s policy to comply with all applicable national, state and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity. The Company’s EEO policy includes the full & complete support of the Company and all levels of leadership. Because it’s just the right thing to do. We hope you think so, too.