Description
Vice President of Engineering – Packaging & Automation Systems (Confidential OEM)
Location: Greater Toronto Area, Canada
Reporting to: CEO (North America) with dotted line to Group Technology Leadership
A global packaging machinery and automation OEM is seeking a Vice President of Engineering to lead its Canadian engineering organisation and play a pivotal role within the senior leadership team.
This role carries full responsibility for engineering strategy, product development, innovation, and technical execution for complex packaging and automation solutions serving international customers. The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary teams across mechanical, electrical, controls, and project engineering, ensuring the delivery of high-performance, reliable, and competitive equipment.
Position Overview
The Vice President of Engineering will define and execute the regional engineering strategy in alignment with global objectives, while driving a culture of innovation, standardisation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. The role combines strategic leadership with strong hands-on technical oversight in a project-driven environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the engineering strategy aligned with corporate and regional business goals
- Lead engineering teams through the full product and project lifecycle
- Own design standards, technical specifications, and engineering best practices
- Drive product innovation, platform / module standardisation, and cost-reduction initiatives
- Oversee technical execution of international customer projects (including FAT/SAT and commissioning)
- Ensure projects meet quality, schedule, and financial targets
- Build, mentor, and develop high-performing engineering leaders and teams
- Partner closely with Sales, Operations, Project Management, and Service
- Act as senior technical interface for key customers and complex projects
- Establish and improve engineering processes, tools, and governance
Candidate Profile
- Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or related Engineering discipline (Master’s / MBA advantageous)
- 10+ years of progressive engineering leadership within packaging machinery, industrial automation, or capital equipment
- Strong experience leading multidisciplinary engineering organisations
- Track record of delivering complex, customer-specific machinery or automation projects
- Solid understanding of quality systems and continuous improvement (ISO, Lean, Six Sigma)
- Strategic thinker with strong execution capability
- Excellent communicator and decision maker
- English fluency required; German beneficial
- Willingness to travel internationally on a limited basis
Why This Role
- Executive-level position with significant influence on technology direction
- High-visibility role within a growing global organisation
- Opportunity to shape products, platforms, and engineering culture
