WHAT DOES AN ENGINEERING SUPERVISOR DO?

Updated: Jun 03, 2025 - The Engineering Supervisor ensures the development and evolution of design standards tailored to customer requirements and technological advancements. Provides oversight on budgets, quality control processes, and consistency in service delivery across multiple regions. Leads process improvement initiatives, mentors team members, and drives adherence to metrics and compliance standards.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Engineering Supervisor

1. Engineering Supervisor Duties

  • Production Supervision: Plan, initiate, supervise, coordinate, and check paperwork through the production phase
  • System Design: Design and ensure the integrity of system applications and modifications to meet specific project requirements
  • Communication Coordination: Coordinate communications between Project Managers and Production
  • Team Supervision: Supervising all Engineering Techs
  • Tech Training: Training for Engineering Techs and establishing policies and streamlining procedures
  • Work Allocation: Work allocation and provide direction to in-house and external vendors/resources to accomplish needed activities to meet scheduled deadlines
  • Schedule Coordination: Coordination of all information required to maintain established schedules on all assigned projects and work with the Engineering team to maintain a smooth workload
  • Customer Support: Assist with solutions to help aid the customer when issues arise
  • Quality Assurance: Accountable for high-quality fab drawings and reviewing/checking paperwork
  • Process Documentation: Document and maintain best practices for drawing checks, RFI's, and engineering change orders
  • Continuous Improvement: Accountable for continuous improvement to reduce costs and increase margin

2. Engineering Supervisor Details

  • Engineering Leadership: Lead engineering activities for the Eastern Launch & Test Range (ER) to accomplish the Launch and Test Range System (LTRS) Integrated Support Contract (LISC) objectives and requirements
  • Team Guidance: Guide team members in understanding company vision and principles and work in concert with other engineering and department managers to ensure successful planning and execution of engineering activities
  • Assignment Delegation: Make work assignments to ensure qualified personnel are available to meet schedules and responsibilities
  • Engineering Support: Support engineering efforts to support the sustainment, maintenance, and operation of the LTRS
  • Training Oversight: Ensure personnel are properly trained to execute responsibilities and receive initial and recurring guidance, coaching, mentoring, instructions, and direction needed to ensure quality and timely service
  • Process Improvement: Support execution and improvements to LISC Engineering processes and procedures
  • Resource Management: Utilize resource management data tools to identify and resolve resource issues and support escalation and communication with management
  • Issue Resolution: Identify and support the resolution of technical issues and handle escalation and communication with management
  • Workflow Monitoring: Monitor workflow to ensure delivery of products on time in accordance with LISC requirements
  • Progress Reporting: Prepare and provide progress and status reports, and briefings as required or requested, to inform department and program management of anticipated performance success, issues, and improvement initiatives, as well as recognizing personnel through the RGNext Recognition Program
  • Cost Estimation: Provide cost and schedule estimates for various engineering efforts and project proposals
  • Time Management: Management of time accountability via the company timekeeping system with approval responsibilities and resolution of any timecard issues in accordance with RGNext processes
  • Performance Appraisal: Development of annual performance appraisals for each employee and the development of yearly team and individual goals

3. Engineering Supervisor Responsibilities

  • Lean Management: Leads teams using known lean and Six Sigma problem-solving tools to provide technical support and troubleshooting/problem resolution to ensure factory safety, quality, on-time delivery, and cost targets are achieved
  • Staff Recruitment: Partners with Human Resources to recruit and hire technical staff
  • Training Development: Creates and implements training plans, provides coaching, and performance management, and facilitates the development of staff
  • Project Leadership: Leads cross-functional project management of engineering projects, including capital equipment, problem-solving, new product/process/tooling/software development, cost savings, and customer-related programs
  • Process Monitoring: Process monitoring and support of continuous improvement programs
  • Engineering Support: Participates in engineering activities (design, analysis, process development, etc.) as required to support plant objectives
  • Supplier Development: Provides technical support and guidance in developing suppliers for raw materials utilized in manufacturing processes
  • Lean Champion: Champion lean methodology in manufacturing cells and drive the team to COS excellence
  • DFM Review: Lead efforts in DFM review on new projects to ensure new products are launched with lean methodology
  • Policy Compliance: Ensure all company procedures, policies, and safety rules are followed
  • Process Improvement: Identify areas of opportunity and improve processes through robust use of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma concepts
  • Tool Optimization: Develop procedures and recommend tool changes on new and existing tools and fixtures to ensure proper production operation
  • Product Logistics: Coordinate logistics and team on new product introductions, increased capacity requirements, cost reduction portfolio, and maintaining up-to-date technology throughout the area
  • Equipment Integration: Oversee installation and initial use of new equipment to ensure proper use, operation, and integration into the production with a sustainable and capable process
  • Technical Analysis: Analyze and resolve technical problems, develop specifications, formulate plans, estimates, and other required engineering data to address process issues effectively through approval of the Engineering and Manufacturing Manager

4. Engineering Supervisor Accountabilities

  • Scope Development: Develop project scopes and/or early designs that meet client needs
  • Client Communication: Early and ongoing communication with clients
  • Program Coordination: High level of coordination with other program areas and clients
  • Cost Estimation: Generate and maintain project cost estimates and schedules
  • Budget Management: Ensure projects are on time and within budget
  • Project Management: Provide design and construction project management
  • Team Supervision: Supervise two other engineering project manager positions responsible for planning, design, construction, and closeout of capital projects
  • Contract Compliance: Ensure compliant use of consultant and construction contracts by division
  • Engineering Consultation: Provide internal engineering consultant services to other program staff and partners
  • Forecasting and Planning: Work closely with the division deputy director on program forecasting and planning
  • Policy Coordination: Coordination with the Management Team on policy, procedures, and program goals

5. Manufacturing Engineering Supervisor Functions

  • Safety Compliance: Always follow all Company Safety policies and procedures
  • Safety Support: Support all safety procedures and initiatives
  • Team Supervision: Responsible for direct supervision of all personnel assigned to the Manufacturing Engineering Support and Manufacturing Engineering Technics Teams
  • Attendance Tracking: Responsible for recording attendance, performance reviews/skill matrix, and disciplinary action of manufacturing engineering support personnel
  • Engineering Support: Responsible for all manufacturing engineering support activities (preventive, corrective) on production equipment
  • Cost Forecasting: Forecast operating costs of Manufacturing Engineering Support and Manufacturing Engineering Technics
  • Performance Metrics: Ensures performance metrics and goals are met and action plans implemented
  • Training Management: Responsible for creating a training plan, scheduling training, and performing training regarding technical competency of production lines
  • Documentation Compliance: Responsible for compliance to required process/machine documentation such as LISP, Maximo, PFMEA, process flow chart, poka yoke, drawings, schematics, instructions, etc.
  • Process Capability: Responsible for process capability and control and MSA (measurement system analysis)
  • Continuous Improvement: Leads/Supports continuous improvement projects such as Scrap Reduction, Downtime Reduction, and PPLS (5S/TPM, SMED, SQDC, Six Sigma)
  • Process Development: Supports Process Engineering on the development of manufacturing concepts, including new line/product integrations
  • Staff Coaching: Continually coach manufacturing engineering staff through daily activities as well as in planned department meetings
  • Quality Assurance: Takes all actions and necessary steps to deliver quality parts to customers
  • Housekeeping Standards: Maintains established housekeeping standards for responsible area

6. Engineering Supervisor Job Description

  • Product Proposals: Propose new products, develop system or hardware specifications, and oversee the development and production of systems by other manufacturers
  • Work Supervision: Supervise all work produced by subordinates to ensure it is error-free and up to design standards
  • Performance Feedback: Provide appropriate feedback and guidance to subordinates to help them improve performance
  • Cost and Schedule Design: Ensure design-to-cost and deliver within schedule
  • Component Design: Design or direct the design of components/systems by subordinates and suppliers
  • Creo Design: Direct design using Creo
  • Professional Conduct: Act in a professional manner in all contacts with external and internal customers
  • Concept Implementation: Take concepts from design to production implementation
  • Status Reporting: Prepare engineering activity status reports and other detailed reporting as directed
  • Six Sigma Coordination: Coordinate proper execution of Six Sigma tools
  • Issue Resolution: Proactively identify, prioritize, and coordinate the resolution of development, production, and quality issues
  • Property Inspection: Carry out general tours of the property at the beginning and end of the shift to ensure the proper functioning of equipment and systems
  • Scheduled Maintenance: Complete activities scheduled in the maintenance schedule under quality and safety standards
  • Anomaly Reporting: Communicate clearly and effectively any anomaly detected or emergency work when a service is at risk
  • Workplace Safety: Ensure safe working conditions before starting work
  • Asset Maintenance: Ensure the good condition of the organization's assets, including equipment, machinery, or facilities
  • Resource Management: Manage the consumption of maintenance resources and make good use of them

7. Engineering Supervisor Overview

  • Goal Alignment: Interfaces with sales, marketing, and management to establish specific goals in support of company business for reverse-engineered and new product development
  • Program Planning: Plans and formulates engineering programs to pursue established goals and organizes staff according to program requirements
  • Personnel Assignment: Makes specific personnel assignments to support the completion of programs, such as technical studies, product design, and testing
  • Conformance Assurance: Ensures product conformance to sound engineering principles, industry standards, and customer requirements through detailed analysis and testing
  • Information Accuracy: Ensures manufacturing has complete, accurate, and up-to-date information regarding products
  • Technology Monitoring: Keeps abreast of the latest technology developments to identify opportunities for product improvements or cost reductions
  • Activity Coordination: Coordinates activities related to technical developments, scheduling, and resolving engineering product, design, and test challenges
  • Drawing Evaluation: Evaluates and approves proposed manufacturing drawings, specifications, and drawing releases
  • Tool Assessment: Evaluates tools and techniques for applicability to engineering functions and recommends and justifies expenditures to improve department efficiency
  • Department Support: Interfaces with and supports all other departments
  • Procedure Compliance: Ensures compliance with all procedures for department organization, training, and functions
  • Task Execution: Performs all elements of the job in accordance with established procedures

8. Engineering Supervisor Details and Accountabilities

  • Audit Oversight: Oversee the annual audit process
  • Standards Monitoring: Assist with the management of the field engineers and monitor the standards
  • Technical Assistance: Provide support and technical assistance to colleagues and staff in relation to the preparation of quotes and tenders
  • Meeting Participation: Attend toolbox meetings
  • KPI Achievement: Achieve personal and team KPI ensuring the number of completed jobs meets the business and clients’ needs
  • Reactive Maintenance: Undertake electrical reactive works issued through the helpdesk within set time frames
  • Proactive Maintenance: Actively undertake electrical proactive maintenance works
  • Contractor Control: Undertake contractor control duties on behalf of the client
  • Engineering Support: General engineering support and customer assistance
  • Investigative Duties: Conduct defect investigations, maintenance-related investigations, and special technical instructions
  • Team Building: Build an effective team and develop and maintain its capability to meet program requirements by managing staff competencies and training requirements

9. Engineering Supervisor Tasks

  • Standards Vision: Develop the vision for standards with the customer focusing on efficiencies in execution
  • Design Evolution: Evolve the design standards to meet the customer’s needs based on changes in requirements, both technology and security
  • Pre-Sales Support: Support pre-sales solutions to ensure efficacy and all standards are met
  • Security Standards: Support all aspects of security system standards, including parts, best practices, codes, and jurisdictional requirements
  • Process Improvement: Build and improve design processes and procedures
  • Customer Advocacy: Act as an internal champion, educator, and point of escalation for customer design and engineering activities
  • Budget Oversight: Oversee design and engineering budget
  • Scope Development: Work with account executives to build an appropriate scope of work that meets all standards
  • Team Mentorship: Mentor and develop the team
  • Quality Control: Implement and iterate a quality control process for production, standards, and internal rollouts
  • Service Consistency: Drive consistency in delivery of all Convergint services across multiple locations, regions, and countries
  • Metrics Reporting: Adhere to and report on metrics and SLAs

10. Engineering Supervisor Roles

  • Staff Management: Train, direct work, manage staff assignments and workload, coach, mentor, and provide oversight to ensure work quality and compliance with policies and regulations
  • Project Coordination: Monitor, manage, and coordinate the Unit’s assigned projects
  • Progress Monitoring: Ensure projects make timely progress toward completion
  • Compliance Oversight: Provide oversight of staff assistance with and monitoring for recipient compliance with requirements (e.g., procurement regulations, American Iron & Steel, wage rate laws)
  • Document Review: Review and/or supervise the review of recipient submittals (e.g., applications, facility plans, due diligence questionnaires)
  • Issue Resolution: Troubleshoot and coordinate the resolution of issues
  • Technical Expertise: Provide senior technical expertise and oversight for staff reviewing the design, construction, and operation of wastewater treatment facilities
  • Environmental Review: Provide oversight of the state’s environmental review process according to the National Environmental Policy Act process for DWSRF projects
  • Inspection Oversight: Provide oversight of DWSRF quarterly and final inspections during construction
Relevant Information
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