Job Description
Position : Head of Production & Engineering
Location : Ogden / Salt Lake City, UT
Department : Operations
Reporting : President / GM
Employment Type : Full-Time | Exempt (Salaried)
Who We Are
At Western Shotcrete Equipment (WSE), we design and manufacture high performance trailer-mounted shotcrete and concrete line pumps in our West Haven, UT facility. Our customers are fiercely loyal because we produce equipment they love and trust. We’re now in the next chapter of our growth — scaling operations, implementing systems, and building the kind of high-integrity, high-performance environment that allows quality to move fast.
What This Role Is About
This role is for someone who wants to lead with purpose. You'll be responsible for creating, implementing, and continuously improving the systems that bring our products from engineering design to delivery — with precision, speed, and pride.
What You’ll Do
You’ll be a builder who will own the architecture of our next-level operations with care, clarity, and discipline
You’ll work closely with company leadership to :
- Build scalable production processes for a low-mix, variable-volume environment
- Lead the implementation and adoption of our ERP system across engineering and manufacturing
- Bring structure to scheduling, inventory, and quality control without slowing down the floor
- Support and elevate the people who make our products exceptional
Production Responsibilities :
Production Systems & Flow
Design production cells and station models that support agile throughputDevelop SOPs and visual controls for assembly, welding, machining, electrical and QAImplement build-to-order scheduling with repeatable subassembly kittingERP Implementation & Optimization
Define and document BOMs, routings, and workflowsOwn production reporting, labor capture, materials movement, and work order controlTrain teams and instill daily ERP usage as part of the standard operating cadenceQuality & Deliverability
Build quality gate processes that emphasize prevention and ownershipImprove FPY through checklists, standard work, and structured coachingDefine fit-and-finish expectations; take pride in the shipped productPeople & Culture
Collaborate cross-functionally to connect engineering / production and the commercial team, especially related to purchasing / supply chainElevate shop floor engagement and productivity through structured accountability and clear goalsBring a sense of calm, discipline, and continuous learning to the shop floorEngineering Responsibilities :
Product Design & Documentation Oversight
Review, validate, and improve engineering drawings, EBOMs, and part specsEnsure all designs are production-ready and align with existing tooling, fixtures, and fabrication capabilitiesCollaborate with external resources to iterate on functionality, safety, and costImplement drawing release protocols, rev tracking, digital archives, up-to-date spec libraries, part number logic, cut sheets and MBOMsProducibility & Build Optimization
Simplify builds without compromising performance — reduce welds, consolidate parts, optimize routingsImplement change management for revisions that affect work order planning or field supportIdentify and resolve production bottlenecks caused by poor design interfaces or tolerance stackingMaterials & Sourcing Partnership
Evaluate and approve new materials for components based on strength, serviceability, cost, and availabilityParticipate in vendor development by recommending alternates and spec improvements when appropriateEnsure operations and commercial team work in tandem for lead-time predictability and supply resilienceServiceability & Field Reliability Engineering
Use field failure data and technician input to inform design enhancementsDevelop SOPs and field service kits based on real-world access, maintenance needs, and wear itemsEmbed service thinking into every product change — fewer fasteners, clearer diagnostics, modular swap abilityNew Product Development Support
Translate product vision into actionable design and production specsOwn the DFM / DFX (Design for Manufacturing, Assembly, and Service) process for all new buildsPilot new configurations in low-rate builds and iterate toward volume-friendly designsWhat We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who’s both thoughtful and hands-on — a person who can connect the dots, build durable systems, and bring people along in the process. You must be ready immediately to take on all of the functions and challenges and make an impact with very limited training or oversight.
Qualifications
7+ years of proven experience in product design, driving production processes, and leading a team in an industrial manufacturing environmentBachelor’s degree in a relevant fieldThe ideal candidate must be :
Experienced in mechanical, hydraulic, or heavy equipment manufacturing and / or various industrial engineering disciplinesA builder of ERP and manufacturing systems with deep understanding of their functions and limitations, not just a userComfortable working in low-mix, variable-volume or build-to-order environments with a complex vendor and supplier infrastructureFamiliar with Operational Excellence methodologies ( Lean, 5S, Kanban, Kaizen, Six Sigma, et. al.) and scalable workcell designClear and effective in cross-functional communication with tactful leadership characteristicsNaturally curious, constantly improving, and eager to take on meaningful responsibilityWhat We Offer
Competitive base salary + performance bonusA collaborative, growing team that’s serious about craftsmanship and clarityAn environment where you’ll be encouraged to take ownership, define your vision and given the freedom to execute itRelocation support for the right candidateHow to Apply
We’d love to hear about your experience — but more importantly, about how you build .
Please share :
A resume that reflects your relevant experienceA short message about a process you helped improve, a team you supported through change, or a system you designed that made things betterFinal Note
This is a position of substance, visibility, and ownership — perfect for someone looking to be an integral part of our small company’s pivotal phase of transformation . You’ll get the chance to build the infrastructure and culture that will carry us into the next decade and beyond. We want someone who shares our core values and thrives in an environment that requires adaptability.
If that excites you, you may already be the right fit. Let’s build something exceptional.
