ENGINEERING MANAGER at SeaArk LLC – Monticello, Arkansas

We’re looking for a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead our engineering and quality teams in building the toughest aluminum boats on the water. This role is responsible for improving how we build, rig, weld, and finish our boats, supporting production with tools and processes that work, and making sure every boat that leaves the plant meets ABYC/USCG standards and our customers’ expectations. The manager will be a hands-on leader who can solve problems on the floor, drive improvements, and develop people.

· Lead the manufacturing engineering team to support welding, rigging, painting, and final assembly operations.

· Improve production processes, tooling, and layouts to make boatbuilding safer, faster, and more consistent.

· Support new model launches by working with Design and NPD to ensure smooth handoff to production.

· Drive Lean and continuous improvement projects to reduce waste, downtime, and rework.

· Manage equipment projects and workflow changes across welding bays, paint booths, and rigging lines.

· Provide technical support to resolve production issues quickly and keep boats moving down the line.

· Lead the quality team to ensure all boats meet ABYC/USCG requirements and SeaArk quality standards.

· Oversee inspections from weld quality and paint finish to rigging and final water test.

· Track and report key quality metrics such as rework, warranty claims, and first-pass yield.

· Manage non-conformances and corrective actions with clear root cause analysis.

· Work with suppliers to address aluminum, components, and hardware quality issues.

· Build a culture of craftsmanship, pride, and accountability across the plant.

· Set clear goals and expectations for engineering and quality staff.

· Be a visible leader on the shop floor, working side-by-side with welders, riggers, and production teams when needed.

· Partner with Production, Supply Chain, and Design to align priorities and solve problems.

· Develop and mentor team members through coaching and training.

· Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, or related field preferred (equivalent experience considered).

· 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering or production support (marine or metal fabrication preferred).

· 2+ years leading people or teams.

· Experience with Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methods.

· Familiarity with ABYC/USCG standards and marine industry quality practices.

· Strong leadership and communication skills.

· Hands-on problem solver who can balance short-term fixes with long-term improvements.

· A practical, hands-on leader with boatbuilding or marine experience.

· Someone who can balance daily problem solving with driving continuous improvement.

· A team builder who develops people, strengthens processes, and holds teams accountable.