Team Lead, Custom Design Engineer

Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland (Onsite)

Excelitas is seeking an experienced Team Lead, Custom Design Engineer to lead the development and delivery of customized UV and Infrared equipment solutions for industrial customers. This highly visible role combines engineering leadership, project management, customer engagement, and hands-on mechanical design.

You will lead a team of engineers while managing complex custom equipment projects from concept and quotation through design, manufacturing, installation, and customer acceptance. This position is ideal for an engineering professional who enjoys solving technical challenges, collaborating with customers, and leading cross-functional teams in a fast-paced industrial environment.

What You'll Do
Lead and mentor a team of Custom Design Engineers while driving project execution and business growth.
Manage engineering resources, project schedules, budgets, and delivery commitments.
Partner with Sales and Applications Engineering to develop customized customer solutions and expand business opportunities.
Prepare technical proposals, project cost estimates, customer quotations, and commercial calculations.
Design custom UV and Infrared systems using SolidWorks, including 3D models, assemblies, detailed drawings, and fabrication documentation.
Lead projects from concept through manufacturing, installation, startup, and customer acceptance.
Collaborate with customers, suppliers, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and engineering teams to ensure successful project outcomes.
Support system integration activities including mechanical systems, electrical controls, PLC coordination, troubleshooting, and commissioning.
Develop project plans, monitor milestones, and proactively manage risks to ensure on-time delivery.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives, design standardization, and knowledge-sharing across global engineering teams.
Manage supplier relationships, technical specifications, quality reviews, and acceptance testing activities.
Ensure compliance with safety, quality, regulatory, and customer requirements.
Support sales enablement through technical training, product knowledge sharing, and solution development.
Track and achieve key business metrics including revenue, margin, profitability, quality, and customer satisfaction.

What You'll Need
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience supporting complex electromechanical systems.
Engineering leadership experience within industrial equipment, automation, machinery, or manufacturing environments.
Minimum 4+ years of mechanical design and product development experience.
Strong SolidWorks or Autodesk Inventor proficiency.
Experience managing custom equipment, automation systems, process equipment, or capital equipment projects.
Demonstrated success leading cross-functional engineering teams and customer-driven projects.
Strong project management skills, including resource planning, scheduling, risk management, and budget control.
Experience supporting customer quotations, cost estimation, proposal development, and technical sales activities.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to build relationships across customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
Valid driver's license.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with industrial automation, custom machinery, semiconductor equipment, process equipment, photonics, or capital equipment manufacturing.
Exposure to PLC-controlled systems, controls integration, and electromechanical equipment.
Knowledge of SAP, CRM, or ERP platforms.
Supplier management and contract manufacturing experience.
Understanding of contract negotiations, commercial risk assessment, and business operations.
Experience with UV, Infrared, optical, photonics, or industrial lighting technologies.

Compensation
Salary Range: $129,000 - $139,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.
Excelitas is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to building an inclusive workplace where innovation thrives.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Minorities/Females/Disability/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation
Excelitas is seeking leaders and innovators to join our global team! Visit: https://jobs.excelitas.com/
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