Engineering Manager Newport, Tennessee | On-Site $130,000 - $150,000 Base Salary Lead Engineering During an Exciting Transformation SSW Advanced Technologies (AAP Division) is seeking a hands-on Engineering Manager to lead engineering activities at our Newport, Tennessee manufacturing facility. While many in the region know us as American Appliance Products (AAP), we are proud to be part of SSW Advanced Technologies, a global manufacturer serving appliance, HVAC, commercial refrigeration, retail display, and consumer product markets. AAP became part of the SSW family in 2003, bringing decades of manufacturing expertise and expanding our cooking product capabilities. Today, our Newport facility is continuing its evolution, supporting both legacy appliance manufacturing and a growing portfolio of engineered HVAC products. We are looking for a technically strong engineering leader who wants to make a visible impact on operations, manufacturing excellence, and future growth. About the Opportunity
This role is ideal for:
- An Engineering Manager leading a small manufacturing engineering team ready for expanded leadership responsibility
- A Senior Engineer with demonstrated leadership experience seeking the next step into engineering management
You'll lead engineering initiatives while remaining actively engaged with manufacturing operations, process improvements, equipment performance, and team development. What You'll Do Lead the Engineering Team
- Develop and mentor engineering talent
- Guide engineering priorities that support business and operational goals
- Collaborate closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Leadership teams
- Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement
Support Manufacturing Operations
- Drive improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and cost
- Identify and implement process improvements across manufacturing operations
- Support equipment upgrades, modifications, and troubleshooting activities
- Improve operational efficiency through data-driven problem-solving
Manage Engineering Projects
- Lead projects from concept through implementation
- Evaluate new equipment, tooling, and process technologies
- Coordinate engineering resources, timelines, and project priorities
- Support new product launches and manufacturing readiness activities
Improve Reliability and Performance
- Partner with Maintenance to improve equipment reliability
- Support preventive and predictive maintenance strategies
- Develop and improve SOPs, standard work, and engineering documentation
- Identify opportunities to reduce downtime and manufacturing costs
What We're Looking For Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related engineering discipline
- Progressive engineering experience within a manufacturing environment
- Experience leading engineers, technicians, or technical project teams
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and continuous improvement methodologies
- New product launch and project management experience
- Ability to work effectively in both office and production environments
Preferred Qualifications
- Fabrication and welding experience, particularly MIG or resistance welding
- Experience in metal manufacturing, machining, assembly, or wire-forming operations
- Product engineering and process engineering experience
- Equipment design, tooling, or automation exposure
- Maintenance and reliability experience
- CAD experience including SolidWorks
- MRP systems, BOM management, routings, and product costing knowledge
The Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will likely have followed a career progression similar to:
Engineer → Senior Engineer → Engineering Lead/Manager We're seeking someone who has built a strong technical foundation first and leadership capability second.
The best candidates are:
- Hands-on problem solvers
- Comfortable on the manufacturing floor
- Strong communicators and coaches
- Technically credible with engineers and technicians
- Interested in building and improving systems rather than simply maintaining them
Why Join SSW Advanced Technologies? The People and Expertise Behind Your Perfect Products
At SSW Advanced Technologies, you will have the opportunity to:
- Make a direct impact on site performance
- Lead engineering improvements that drive measurable results
- Work within a stable manufacturing organization with a long history of success
- Influence the future direction of a facility undergoing strategic transformation
- Join a culture built on teamwork, integrity, innovation, and continuous improvement
Our Core Values
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Caring for People
- Customer Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Improvement
Ready to Build What's Next? If you're a manufacturing engineering professional looking for an opportunity to lead, improve processes, develop people, and help shape the future of a growing operation, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and become part of the team behind the products people depend on every day.