Department Manager, Engineering

About the role

FFE is seeking an Engineering Department Manager to support our growing Cincinnati-based team. As Engineering Department Manager, you will lead and mentor a talented group of engineers, drive design innovation, and manage complex projects from conception to completion. This is a leadership role focused on collaboration, execution, and excellence-requiring both technical expertise and the ability to inspire a high-performing team. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to self-learning and continuous professional development. What you'll be responsible for: Department Leadership : Set direction, delegate responsibilities, and provide day-to-day guidance to a team of engineers across multiple disciplines. Recruit, develop, and retain engineering talent while helping shape the future structure and capabilities of the department. Project Execution: Oversee engineering projects from concept through completion-ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality standards are consistently met. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with architects, project managers, quality control, and marketing teams to deliver integrated design solutions and win new work. Client Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships through regular communication, problem-solving, and project updates. Ensure client expectations are met or exceeded. Technical Oversight: Review and approve technical deliverables including drawings, specifications, and engineering reports. Provide recommendations and resolve complex design challenges. Quality Assurance: In partnership with the QC Manager, enforce engineering standards, ensure compliance with codes and regulations, and promote continuous improvement. Mentorship & Performance Management: Support professional development, conduct performance reviews, and provide constructive feedback to team members. Process Optimization: Continuously evaluate and refine engineering workflows, documentation standards, and team structures to improve efficiency and output. Monitor department workload, utilization, and staffing needs to support sustainable growth and successful project delivery. Strategic Contribution: Align departmental goals with company-wide initiatives. Identify opportunities for innovation, sustainable design, and thought leadership. Industry Presence: Represent FFE at conferences, networking events, and client interviews. Contribute to presentations, proposals, and marketing content as needed. What we'll love about you: You are a proactive, life-long learner who thrives on challenges and continually seeks to improve yourself and those around you. You demonstrate strategic thinking and can align departmental goals with broader organizational objectives. You are a natural mentor and team builder, providing thoughtful guidance, encouragement, and feedback to help others grow. You bring a solution-oriented mindset and stay calm and focused in fast-paced, dynamic environments. You have a strong sense of ownership and accountability-you take initiative, follow through, and raise the bar for what's possible. You're a clear communicator, capable of articulating complex ideas to technical and non-technical audiences alike. You are passionate about healthcare design and understand the profound impact your work has on patient outcomes and care environments. You're collaborative, open-minded, and eager to build strong partnerships both inside and outside of the firm. You embrace innovation, stay current with industry trends, and are excited to champion new ideas and tools that drive excellence. Here's What You'll Need (Basic Qualifications) 10+ years' experience in engineering Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university PE license required Experience leading, developing, and growing engineering teams. Healthcare project experience preferred Experience with preparing contract documents (Drawings and Specs) Experience in leadership and management in an A/E firm or similar environment Experience delivering projects of varying scale and complexity. Strong understanding of building codes, zoning regulations, and construction practices. E

Benefits

Additional Information

About FFE: Founded in 2006, FFE Inc. is a full-service architecture and engineering firm incorporating thoughtful and inclusive principles into every design. Specializing in healthcare and with an extensive background in the public sector, we have a unique understanding of the industry. From 3-D and laser scanning to thermal imaging to Building Information Modeling and virtual reality, we consistently bring cutting-edge technology to our projects to deliver the highest quality results for our clients. Most importantly, our team cares. FFE is a mission-driven organization that uses our exceptional design skills to improve clinical outcomes for patients and the well-being of those who care for them. Click here to meet the FFE team or here to learn more about life at FFE!

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