AI summary
Head of Engineering role leading Axiom Custom Products’ SolidWorks-based design-engineering team, turning concepts and drawings into manufacturable assemblies for installation. Axiom is a Portland custom designer/manufacturer serving events, retail, construction and creative clients with in-house digital manufacturing. Standout perks include strong benefits and a dog-friendly office.
Key skills
SolidWorks (7+ years)Mechanical engineering / industrial design backgroundDesign for manufacturing (DFM)Team leadership in custom manufacturingManufacturing processes, materials and finishes (wood/metal/plastics)Technical feasibility and proposal support (estimating/pricing)Reading architectural and structural drawingsProject scheduling and workload/resource managementAdobe Creative SuiteSketchUp
Salary not listed — comparable Portland, OR Head of Engineering roles in custom manufacturing typically pay about $130k–$180k base, depending on scope and experience.
You'll thrive here if you’re a hands-on, results-driven engineering leader who can juggle fast-paced custom projects, collaborate across sales/PM/manufacturing, and deliver accurate, buildable designs on tight deadlines.
Why apply
- Medical, dental, vision benefits
- Paid holidays
- Dog friendly office
Axiom Custom Products is a designer and custom manufacturer that services the creative, events, retail, and construction industries. Axiom leverages its digital manufacturing technologies, manufacturing expertise, and decades of experience to deliver the highest quality products - an outcome unmatched by any in the industry. We offer our clients extensive in-house services and capabilities that allow us to take on projects at any stage of development from concept to installation.
The Head of Engineering manages Axiom’s design-engineering department — the team responsible for turning concepts, sketches, and drawings into engineered assemblies that can be built and installed. overseeing the quality and accuracy of work; and making sure the team delivers complete, manufacturable designs on time and within project budgets. The Head of Engineering works closely with Sales, Project Management, and Manufacturing to keep projects moving and aligned with our capabilities. First step, help Sales and Estimating teams evaluate technical feasibility and pricing during proposals. Then, you’ll coordinate with Project Managers, Account Managers, Manufacturing, and Installation to align designs with real-world needs and constraints. You’ll intake, schedule, and assign work based on project needs, timelines, and team capacity and support a team of SolidWorks-based design engineers. Infrequently, if you find yourself understaffed, you’ll manage independent engineering contractors. To ensure work is completed on schedule may also mean supporting the team through overtime, re-prioritization, or hands-on help when needed.
It will be critical for you to understand Axiom’s machines, tooling, equipment, and processes, and ensure designs reflect these capabilities. Sometimes that means troubleshooting and resolving technical or operational issues during project execution. You’ll work closely with engineers to ensure designs meet project budgets and timelines. When needed, you will take the lead on complex design-engineering work directly. On occasion you’ll conduct site visits for surveys, support, and validation. Lastly, as things change regularly, you’ll stay current on design-engineering best practices, tools, and trends.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, or related field preferred
~7+ years of hands-on SolidWorks experience with strong technical skills
~ Proven experience leading a design-engineering team in a fast-paced, custom environment
~ Strong working knowledge of manufacturing processes, finishes, and materials (wood, metal, plastics, etc.)
~ Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects at once
~ Familiar with Adobe Creative Suite and SketchUp
~ Bonus: Experience managing project budgets, timelines, and risks
~ Experience designing for manufacturing using in-house capabilities and constraints
~ Able to read and interpret architectural, structural, and creative drawings
~ The Head of Engineering must thrive in a dynamic work environment under high-pressure deadlines; You’ll know you’re succeeding when clean, high-quality, and manufacturable engineering assets and designs are delivered on-time, your control of project profitability and adherence to budgets are met, and you’ve standardized the accuracy of models and drawings. You’ve hit your marks when your team is engaged, they collaborate with other departments, enjoy their roles, care about the bottom line, receive excellent peer evaluations, their performance, throughput, and efficiency is notable, and they stick around for the long haul.
We pay excellent wages and our team enjoys great benefits, including medical, dental, vision with options for dependents. Combined with paid holidays our benefits are some of the best in our industry.
Note: this is a dog friendly office
If you’re a results-driven leader with a passion for engineering and design, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today and help us continue to deliver exceptional products for our clients across various industries.
The Head of Engineering manages Axiom’s design-engineering department — the team responsible for turning concepts, sketches, and drawings into engineered assemblies that can be built and installed. overseeing the quality and accuracy of work; and making sure the team delivers complete, manufacturable designs on time and within project budgets. The Head of Engineering works closely with Sales, Project Management, and Manufacturing to keep projects moving and aligned with our capabilities. First step, help Sales and Estimating teams evaluate technical feasibility and pricing during proposals. Then, you’ll coordinate with Project Managers, Account Managers, Manufacturing, and Installation to align designs with real-world needs and constraints. You’ll intake, schedule, and assign work based on project needs, timelines, and team capacity and support a team of SolidWorks-based design engineers. Infrequently, if you find yourself understaffed, you’ll manage independent engineering contractors. To ensure work is completed on schedule may also mean supporting the team through overtime, re-prioritization, or hands-on help when needed.
It will be critical for you to understand Axiom’s machines, tooling, equipment, and processes, and ensure designs reflect these capabilities. Sometimes that means troubleshooting and resolving technical or operational issues during project execution. You’ll work closely with engineers to ensure designs meet project budgets and timelines. When needed, you will take the lead on complex design-engineering work directly. On occasion you’ll conduct site visits for surveys, support, and validation. Lastly, as things change regularly, you’ll stay current on design-engineering best practices, tools, and trends.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, or related field preferred
~7+ years of hands-on SolidWorks experience with strong technical skills
~ Proven experience leading a design-engineering team in a fast-paced, custom environment
~ Strong working knowledge of manufacturing processes, finishes, and materials (wood, metal, plastics, etc.)
~ Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects at once
~ Familiar with Adobe Creative Suite and SketchUp
~ Bonus: Experience managing project budgets, timelines, and risks
~ Experience designing for manufacturing using in-house capabilities and constraints
~ Able to read and interpret architectural, structural, and creative drawings
~ The Head of Engineering must thrive in a dynamic work environment under high-pressure deadlines; You’ll know you’re succeeding when clean, high-quality, and manufacturable engineering assets and designs are delivered on-time, your control of project profitability and adherence to budgets are met, and you’ve standardized the accuracy of models and drawings. You’ve hit your marks when your team is engaged, they collaborate with other departments, enjoy their roles, care about the bottom line, receive excellent peer evaluations, their performance, throughput, and efficiency is notable, and they stick around for the long haul.
We pay excellent wages and our team enjoys great benefits, including medical, dental, vision with options for dependents. Combined with paid holidays our benefits are some of the best in our industry.
Note: this is a dog friendly office
If you’re a results-driven leader with a passion for engineering and design, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today and help us continue to deliver exceptional products for our clients across various industries.