GUDGEON THERMFIRE INTL. / PACIFIC WEST REFRIGERATION
London, Ontario
Engineering Manager
Full-Time | On-Site | London, Ontario
ABOUT US
Gudgeon Thermfire Intl. has been designing and building large-scale mechanical and thermal sand reclamation systems for the global foundry industry for decades. Under the same roof, Pacific West Refrigeration engineers and manufactures refrigerated seawater (RSW) systems for commercial fishing vessels. Our projects are complex, custom-built, and built to last — no two are exactly alike.
We're a team of 15. That means limited bureaucracy, direct communication, and the chance to leave a real mark on every project you touch. We're entering a period of deliberate growth, expanding our foundry equipment product line with several new offerings, and we're looking for the right person to help lead that charge.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a dual-mandate leadership role. You'll take ownership of our existing two-person mechanical design department while improving communication, accountability, and on-time delivery while simultaneously spearheading the development of new products we've identified as strategic additions to our foundry equipment line.
You'll work closely with our Project Manager and senior leadership to ensure engineering is a driver of growth, not a bottleneck. The right candidate brings structure and discipline to the department without losing the flexibility a small manufacturer depends on.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
Department Leadership
- Lead and manage a team of mechanical designers, setting clear expectations around deliverables, timelines, and quality standards
- Establish and enforce design review processes to catch issues early and improve serviceability of finished machines
- Build a culture of accountability: On-time is the baseline, not the exception
- Mentor and develop designers, identifying skill gaps and growth opportunities
Project Coordination
- Partner directly with our Project Manager to align engineering milestones with overall project schedules
- Participate in project kick-offs and regular progress reviews, flagging risks early and driving resolution
- Maintain clear documentation of project status, design decisions, and revision history
New Product Development
- Lead the design and development of several new foundry equipment product lines identified as competitive priorities
- Research competitor offerings, customer requirements, and applicable standards to inform new product architecture
- Work with leadership to define scope, timelines, and resource requirements for each development program
- Take products from concept through detailed design, prototype, and production-ready documentation
WHAT YOU BRING
Qualifications
- Post-secondary diploma or degree in Mechanical Design or Mechanical Engineering
- 15+ years of experience in mechanical design, with at least some portion in a leadership or senior role
- Proficiency in both SolidWorks and AutoCAD Inventor
- Demonstrated history of designing custom industrial or capital equipment from concept to production
- Valid passport and ability to travel internationally for occasional trade shows, customer visits, or vendor meetings
Who You Are
- An exceptional communicator both written, verbal, and visual. You keep people informed without being asked
- Organized to a fault. You manage multiple projects simultaneously and nothing falls through the cracks
- Comfortable with ownership. You don't wait for permission to solve a problem
- Technically curious. You want to understand how things work and find better ways to build them
- At ease in a small-company environment where priorities shift and adaptability is a daily requirement
- Positive, resourceful, and a genuine team player. Attitude matters here as much as your resume
WHY JOIN US
- Small team, big impact. Your decisions will shape real products shipped to real customers worldwide
- Lead a new phase of targeted product growth with genuine strategic input
- Work on unique, technically interesting industrial projects. No widget manufacturing here
- Supportive ownership and a stable company with decades of industry relationships
APPLICATION
If this sounds like the role you've been looking for, we'd like to hear from you.
Pay: $100,000.00-$150,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
