Engineering Director (Open to Relocation to India)

About Uplift

Uplift is a dynamic agency specializing in global talent search, covering EMEA, LATAM, USA, and APAC. With successful placements in 59 countries, we combine speed and cutting-edge technology to source top executive and mid-senior talent across various functions. Our innovative approach integrates global networks, AI, and advanced recruitment tools. Beyond recruitment, we engage with our audience through our podcast, newsletter, and webinars, ensuring we stay at the forefront of talent acquisition and global HR trends.

We're looking for an "Engineering Director" with strong expertise in sintered NdFeB magnet manufacturing.

*International candidates are welcome, with relocation support to India.

Position Summary

The Plant Engineering Director will lead all engineering functions for greenfield sintered magnet manufacturing facility in India. The role will provide technical leadership through the full project life cycle.

The Director will establish a world-class engineering organization capable of supporting highly automated, precision manufacturing processes used in the production of sintered neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets.

The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise with strong project leadership, organizational development, and cross-functional collaboration in a complex global manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead detailed engineering reviews across process systems, facilities, utilities, automation, production equipment, environmental controls, and infrastructure.
• Partner with EPC/EPCM contractors, engineering consultants, technology providers, and equipment suppliers as needed.
• Ensure engineering deliverables meet safety, quality, operational, cost, schedule, maintainability, and scalability requirements.
• Manage engineering risks, technical decisions, change control, and mitigation plans.
• Establish the engineering organization required to support startup, ramp-up, stable operations, and future capacity expansion.
• Lead process engineering function.
• Develop engineering standards, technical specifications, operating procedures, and governance processes.
• Support continuous improvement and yield, productivity, quality, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Lead the selection and qualification of process and production equipment, including strip casting, hydrogen decrepitation, jet milling, magnetic pressing, isostatic pressing, sintering furnaces, heat treatment systems, CNC machining, coating and surface treatment, and automated material handling systems.
• Oversee equipment installation, commissioning, acceptance testing, process validation, and handover operations.
• Ensure equipment capability meets production volume, process control, quality, safety, and customer requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Metallurgical, Materials, Manufacturing, or a related engineering discipline required.

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience in magnet manufacturing.
• Experience in rare earths, powder metallurgy, advanced materials, specialty chemicals, metals processing, automotive components, battery materials, semiconductor materials, or comparable precision/process manufacturing preferred.
• Experience building engineering teams and systems.