Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Manager (51573)

Gradian is an engineering-led, full-line thermal solutions partner serving data center and other mission-critical, commercial, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Maple Grove, MN, with additional facilities across North America, we design and manufacture liquid cooling systems, air handling equipment, heat rejection units, and modular, factory-assembled thermal management solutions.

Gradian was founded through the unification of four complementary, established brands: MAS HVAC, Daedex, DeepCoolAI, and EcoChillers. Together, we act as a single-source provider, deploying cooling technologies as scalable systems optimized for efficiency, spatial constraints, and overall performance. With a vertically integrated engineering and manufacturing model, we pair rapid design turnaround with precision fabrication, so customers can move faster on complex projects where reliability, timeline, and quality all matter.

Why work here

At Gradian, you'll work alongside others who get genuinely fired up by complex problems, see your work go from first sketch to job site in weeks, not years, and know that while we're developing the technologies critical for AI infrastructure to scale, our culture remains people-first by design.

It is core to our identity that we operate as one team — driving to win together, energizing others, and building lasting relationships that make the work fun and rewarding.

Position Summary:

The Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Manager is Gradian's forward-looking product, technology and process-launch leader — the function that figures out how to build tomorrow's products before they ever reach a plant floor. Reporting to the Director of Manufacturing Engineering, you will lead a team of Advanced Manufacturing Engineers responsible for new product launch, new technology deployment, automation and Industry 4.0 implementation, and pre-production process development across our Air, Liquid, Chiller, DX, and CDU product lines. You will own the handoff point between product design and sustaining production — developing and proving out manufacturing processes, technology, and capital equipment before transferring stabilized lines to our plant-level Manufacturing Engineering Managers. This role is also Gradian's primary owner of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) strategy and digital manufacturing platform deployment, directly enabling a connected, visually managed production environment across our network.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a team of Advanced Manufacturing Engineers, setting technical direction and building capability in automation, controls, and advanced process design
• Own development and implementation of manufacturing processes, technology, and capital equipment supporting new product development (NPD) programs, from concept through stabilized production handoff
• Specify and procure capital equipment supporting new line launches and technology upgrades; develop and justify capital project budgets
• Lead product/process transfers and new line launches, coordinating directly with Design Engineering, Program Management, and plant Operations to execute NPDI milestones
• Apply advanced launch methodologies — DFM/DFA, FMEA, 3P (Production Preparation Process), and Lean Six Sigma — ensuring new processes are capable, safe, and scalable before transfer to sustaining production
• Provide multi-site technology deployment support, partnering with plant Manufacturing Engineering Managers to implement standardized, proven technology and processes across Gradian's network
• Mentor and teach the cross-functional NPD engineering process, building organizational capability beyond your direct team
• Develop and drive Gradian's automation and Industry 4.0 technology roadmap, identifying and implementing automation, robotics, and digital manufacturing opportunities across the plant network
• Own Manufacturing Execution System (MES) strategy and implementation, partnering with plant-level Manufacturing Engineering Managers and IT
• Partner with plant Manufacturing Engineering Managers and the Director of Manufacturing Engineering to ensure well-documented handoff of new processes into sustaining production
• Evaluate production capacity and capability of new and existing technology, recommending enhancements to support growth
• Ensure safety and ergonomics are designed into new processes and equipment from the outset, in compliance with OSHA and applicable codes

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical field
• 8–10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, including 3+ years in a leadership role
• Demonstrated experience leading new technology deployment, automation, or process launches
• Strong working knowledge of DFM/DFA, FMEA, Lean Six Sigma, and structured launch methodologies (e.g., 3P)
• Experience specifying, justifying, and managing capital equipment projects
• Proven ability to lead and develop a technical engineering team

Preferred:

• Experience with MES selection, implementation, or administration
• Experience with automation, robotics, and PLC-based systems
• Experience in HVAC, thermal management, or data center cooling equipment manufacturing
• Six Sigma Green/Black Belt or equivalent certification
• Experience supporting multi-site or multi-plant technology deployment

Key Competencies:

• Forward-looking technical vision balanced with practical, achievable execution
• Leadership and team development
• Cross-functional influence (Design Engineering, Program Management, Operations, IT)
• Structured problem-solving and launch discipline
• Change management and organizational teaching ability
• Data-driven decision making
• Safety-first mindset in new process and equipment design

Benefits:

• Medical, vision, and dental plans
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Group term life insurance coverage
• HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care plans available
• 8 paid holidays, 4 floating holidays, and generous PTO policy
• 401k matching
• Company paid events
• Annual safety shoe allowance
• Education assistance program

EEO Statement:

Gradian Thermal Solutions is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other legally protected status.

Employment decisions at Gradian are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and actively promote a culture of fairness, equity, and opportunity.

We also provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances, in accordance with applicable laws.