Job description

Lead the Engineering Organization That’s Building the Future of HVACR Tool Technology Fieldpiece is a privately held, global leader in professional HVACR tools and test instruments. We’ve built our reputation by developing innovative tools and instruments that HVACR professionals rely on every day to do their jobs easier, faster, and better. As we continue to grow, expand our connected product portfolio, and invest in AI and platform-based engineering, we're evolving our engineering organization to support the next stage of our growth. We're looking for a Director of Engineering who enjoys building as much as leading. You'll help shape how engineering works. We're entering an exciting phase of growth that requires evolving our engineering organization. You'll build scalable processes, technical governance, engineering metrics, and development practices that support increasingly sophisticated products while preserving the speed, creativity, and entrepreneurial culture that have made Fieldpiece successful. You’ll help decide when to build capability, when to build process, and when to leverage external expertise - all while ensuring Fieldpiece retains ownership of the product architecture, customer experience, and technologies that differentiate us in the market. This position is in our Orange, CA office with an exciting move to Tustin, CA in 2028. Named one of the Best Places to Work in Southern California for four consecutive years , we're looking for talented people who want to make an impact while growing their careers. What You'll Do • Build scalable engineering processes, governance, and operating rhythms that enable the organization to grow while maintaining speed, quality, and innovation. • Establish a scalable platform architecture that promotes reuse across hardware, firmware, software, and connected technologies while improving product quality, accelerating development, and supporting long-term maintainability. • Help evolve the organization from entrepreneurial product development to a more scalable engineering operation while preserving the agility and customer focus that define Fieldpiece. • Establish consistent product development practices, technical reviews, design standards, metrics, and decision-making frameworks across engineering disciplines. What Success Looks Like • Become a trusted leader within the engineering organization while building strong cross-functional partnerships across Product Management, Operations, Quality, and external engineering partners that enable the organization to operate as one integrated product development team. • Establish an engineering operating model that balances technical excellence, scalable processes, and organizational agility - knowing when to build internal capabilities, when to standardize processes, and when to leverage external expertise to accelerate innovation. • Strengthen engineering execution by implementing scalable development processes, technical governance, meaningful performance metrics, and resource planning that ensure the right mix of internal talent and external partners to deliver best-in-class products. • Develop and execute a roadmap for the engineering capabilities, technologies, and organizational investments needed to support Fieldpiece's continued growth in connected products, AI-enabled solutions, and platform-based engineering. • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another STEM discipline • 12+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience within FLC R&D / new product development environments. • Demonstrated success building, developing, and mentoring high-performing matrixed engineering teams through process improvement, performance management, and organizational planning. • Strong strategic leadership skills with the ability to balance long-term organizational development with short-term business priorities. • Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities, especially when navigating complex technical and organizational challenges. • Experience partnering with ODMs, global suppliers, or international engineering organizations. • Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, resource planning, and investment prioritization. • Experience implementing Lean product development or other continuous improvement methodologies. • Excellent communication skills with the ability to inspire teams and influence stakeholders at every level of the organization. Bonus Points If You Have • Master's degree or MBA is a plus. • Experience leading engineering organizations that develop connected products, embedded systems, or IoT technologies. Why You'll Enjoy Working at Fieldpiece • As a privately held company, we invest for the long term—in our people, our products, and our future. That means we can focus on innovation, continuous improvement, and building lasting careers rather than chasing short-term results. • Work alongside talented, collaborative teammates who are passionate about innovation and solving real world problems. • Make a meaningful impact in a company where your ideas are heard, your expertise is valued, and your contributions help shape the future of our products and business. Benefits & Perks We believe great work starts with supporting our employees. That's why we offer a competitive total rewards package designed to promote your health, financial well-being, work-life balance, and professional growth. • Competitive base salary with annual bonus opportunity • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage • 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting • Generous paid time off and paid holidays • Hire to Retire philosophy - Individual Development Plans for everyone and a commitment to support career development • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • Music program – music rooms in all US offices with onsite guitar, piano, and voice lessons in California (classes can be streamed for other offices) • Recognition programs, launch parties and team building events to share successes Our Culture At Fieldpiece, our values shape how we work, collaborate, and serve our customers every day. We use the TURTL acronym to show that we believe in: • TRIBE – We collaborate, support one another, and win as a team. • Upfront Homework – We come prepared, begin with the end in mind and address obstacles with creativity, grit and tenacity. • Right Stuff – We deliver innovative solutions by seeing through the eyes of our customers and use purposeful critical thinking to lead to greatness. • Trust – We build strong relationships through credibility, accountability and transparency. • Lean – We embrace curiosity, continuous improvement, learning from failures and delivering results. • No Ego – We leave titles and egos at the door, value the best ideas regardless of where they come from, and work together with humility, openness, and mutual respect. At Fieldpiece, we're building more than innovative products - we're building careers. If you're looking for a place where your work matters and your contributions are recognized, we'd love to meet you. The California base annual salary range for this role is currently $200,000 to $230,000 plus bonus. Pay scales are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual compensation is determined through interviews and an assessment of factors unique to each candidate, including job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities, and internal pay equity. Additional information about our bonus program and benefits will be shared during the hiring process. EOE AA M/F/Veteran/Disability

Requirements

Must-haves

Lead the Engineering Organization That’s Building the Future of HVACR Tool Technology
Build scalable engineering processes, governance, and operating rhythms that enable the organization to grow while maintaining speed, quality, and innovation.
Help evolve the organization from entrepreneurial product development to a more scalable engineering operation while preserving the agility and customer focus that define Fieldpiece.
Establish consistent product development practices, technical reviews, design standards, metrics, and decision-making frameworks across engineering disciplines.
What Success Looks Like
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another STEM discipline
12+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience within FLC R&D / new product development environments.
Demonstrated success building, developing, and mentoring high-performing matrixed engineering teams through process improvement, performance management, and organizational planning.
Strong strategic leadership skills with the ability to balance long-term organizational development with short-term business priorities.
Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities, especially when navigating complex technical and organizational challenges.
Experience partnering with ODMs, global suppliers, or international engineering organizations.
Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, resource planning, and investment prioritization.
Experience implementing Lean product development or other continuous improvement methodologies.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to inspire teams and influence stakeholders at every level of the organization.
Experience leading engineering organizations that develop connected products, embedded systems, or IoT technologies.
Why You'll Enjoy Working at Fieldpiece
Work alongside talented, collaborative teammates who are passionate about innovation and solving real world problems.
Make a meaningful impact in a company where your ideas are heard, your expertise is valued, and your contributions help shape the future of our products and business.

Nice-to-haves

Bonus Points If You Have
Master's degree or MBA is a plus.

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Benefits

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Dental

Vision

401(K)

Paid Time Off