Manufacturing Engineering Manager

CONFIDENTIAL RETAINED SEARCH

We are conducting a confidential, retained search for a manufacturing engineering manager at an engineering-led thermal solutions company in Mexico. The manager will lead the engineering function behind precision HVAC and thermal management units for the data center industry, within the Operations department. We seek leaders with 8–12 years in manufacturing engineering, including 3–5 years in leadership roles.

Search Reference: TNF-MFG-MEM-2026 | Manufacturing Engineering Leadership Mandate, Mexico

About This Search

Top Notch Finders holds an exclusive, strictly confidential retained search for a senior manufacturing engineering leader at a vertically integrated thermal solutions company. To protect our client and every candidate, we disclose the company’s identity and the location of its operations only to qualified candidates under a confidentiality agreement. In addition, Top Notch Finders receives and manages every inquiry and application directly.

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager Opportunity

This leader owns process capability, capacity planning, new product industrialization, capital equipment strategy, and manufacturing cost reduction. As a result, the role shapes how reliably the company delivers CRAH/CRAC units, chillers, in-row cooling, and liquid cooling systems. Because these products serve hyperscale and colocation customers, quality, reliability, and lead-time expectations are stringent.

Success measures include on-time product launches, first-pass yield, direct labor efficiency, and on-budget capital projects. In addition, the leader keeps capacity in line with the demand plan and targets zero safety incidents related to process design.

Market Context

Data center growth creates large, project-based demand spikes. As a result, manufacturers need engineering leaders who can plan capacity, redesign layouts, and launch new products without sacrificing quality. In addition, our client builds the technologies that AI infrastructure needs to scale, and its work moves from first sketch to job site in weeks.

Key Responsibilities

• Define, document, and optimize sheet metal, brazing, welding, refrigerant charging, panel, and final assembly processes.
• Direct functional and run testing, including performance, leak, hi-pot, and witness tests.
• Lead new product introduction with DFM/DFA reviews, process FMEAs, control plans, and ramp-up plans.
• Own routings, standard times, and BOM accuracy in the ERP/MES.
• Develop capacity models and lead plant layout, line design, and expansion projects.
• Justify and manage capital investments, from test cells and brazing equipment through installation and qualification.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing with value stream mapping, SMED, standard work, kanban, and 5S.
• Own product cost roadmaps for labor, scrap and rework, material flow, and make/buy analysis.
• Partner with Quality on root cause analysis (8D, A3), process capability (Cpk), and witness test readiness.
• Ensure compliance with refrigerant handling, pressure vessel, UL/CE/ETL, and ASHRAE-related standards.
• Support ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 systems.
• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing engineering team with clear accountability.
• Serve as the technical interface with Product Engineering, Supply Chain, Program Management, and key customers during audits.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial, mechanical, electromechanical, or manufacturing engineering.
• 8–12 years in manufacturing engineering, including 3–5 years in leadership roles.
• Experience in HVAC, refrigeration, thermal management, or complex electromechanical assembly; low-volume, high-mix, engineered-to-order environments preferred.
• Strong command of Lean tools, NPI and industrialization processes, PFMEA, and capacity planning.
• Proven CapEx project management, from justification through commissioning.
• ERP/MES proficiency (SAP, Oracle, or similar) and CAD literacy (AutoCAD or SolidWorks) for layouts.
• Bilingual English and Spanish.
• Preferred: experience serving data center, critical infrastructure, aerospace, or automotive customers with witness testing and audit requirements.
• Preferred: knowledge of refrigeration circuits, AWS brazing certification standards, and functional test cell design.
• Preferred: Six Sigma Green or Black Belt, PMP, and plant startup or line transfer experience.

How to Apply in Confidence

This is a discreet, retained engagement. We will never present your candidacy to any organization without your explicit prior authorization. In addition, the hiring company cannot see any application at this stage.

If you are an accomplished manufacturing engineering leader and want to be considered as our next manufacturing engineering manager, please submit your resume in confidence through the Top Notch Finders website. Reference search code TNF-MFG-MEM-2026 in your submission. However, do not include export-controlled technical data or other proprietary information of any kind in your application materials. We will contact only the candidates whose backgrounds align closely with the mandate.