JOB DESCRIPTION- MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MANAGER

Job Overview

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Mechanical Engineering Manager to join our team. In this role, you will report directly to the Head of Delta Business Line and will lead the mechanical engineering team in the design and development of equipment for veneer, plywood, and engineered wood product (EWP) facilities—including LVL/LSL lines. You will make sure the team is dedicated to delivering safe, reliable, high-throughput equipment designed for continuous industrial operation.

Your strong leadership skills, hands-on mechanical engineering expertise, and deep understanding of EWP manufacturing processes will be essential to driving innovation and operational excellence. This role is pivotal in guaranteeing high-performing equipment and promoting cross-functional teamwork to meet evolving industry demands.

If you excel in a fast-paced environment and are driven to lead a high-performing team while delivering innovative solutions, we want to hear from you.

In this role you

Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of mechanical engineers, technologists, and designers.
• Oversee workload distribution, skill development, performance management, and hiring.
• Establish and enforce engineering standards, design guidelines, and quality practices.
• Work closely with the production team on best practices to ensure designs are easily manufactured
• Foster a high-performance culture centered on accountability, innovation, safety, and continuous improvement.

Equipment Design & Engineering Execution:

• Direct the mechanical design of EWP manufacturing systems and subsystems.
• Review and approve 3D models, fabrication drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Ensure designs meet production requirements, industry demands for uptime, throughput, durability, and safety.
• Guide prototype development, validation testing, and in-plant commissioning support.

Project & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Translate customer process requirements into equipment design specifications.
• Work closely with process engineering, controls/automation, manufacturing, and field service teams.
• Participate in project scoping, cost estimation, lead-time planning, and technical proposals.
• Manage engineering deliverables throughout the full equipment life cycle.
• Lead design reviews, risk assessments, and change management processes.

Manufacturing Support:

• Partner with fabrication, machining, and assembly teams to ensure efficient manufacturability.
• Optimize designs for cost, reliability, maintainability, and ease of installation.
• Resolve technical challenges during build, FAT, and commissioning phases.
• Support field service teams with technical troubleshooting and customer site issues.

Compliance & Safety:

• Ensure machinery meets EWP industry safety expectations and regulatory standards.
• Lead hazard assessments, risk reduction strategies, and documented safety validation.
• Maintain accurate and controlled engineering documentation.

To succeed in this role, you should have:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
• 7–15+ years of mechanical design experience with industrial equipment or heavy machinery.
• Direct experience with engineered wood product equipment or related industries (plywood/veneer, forestry, sawmills, panel board, composites, or large automated material-handling equipment).
• 3–8+ years in engineering leadership or management roles.

Technical Competencies

• Strong understanding of:
  • Heavy welded steel structures and machinery
  • Material handling equipment
  • Pneumatics, fluid power, rotating machinery, and drive systems
  • Hydraulic pressing systems
  • Machine guarding, safety circuits, and standards compliance
  • Industrial dryers, and heating technologies (for veneer & EWP processes)
  • Adhesive application and cure-control systems
• Expertise in 3D CAD systems: Creo as well as Windchill
• Microsoft products including: D365, Power BI and Office Suite
• Working knowledge of PLC/controls integration with mechanical systems.

Soft Skills & Leadership

• Strong communicator able to collaborate with operations, sales, and customers.
• Excellent team building, coaching, and strategic planning abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced OEM environment.
• Strong judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.

Benefits:

• Extended health benefits for you and your family, including a Health Spending Account 

• RRSP employer contribution matching 

• Career development opportunities, we promote from within and encourage employees to apply for internal roles, including apprenticeships 

• EV charging stations  

• Annual bonus 

• Employee appreciation events 

• Paid time off 

Join Our Team at Raute!

At Raute, we offer more than a job. We offer a meaningful career in an industry that makes a difference. We provide a supportive and innovative work environment where employee well-being and professional growth are priorities.

Our approach embraces a total rewards approach, which includes both monetary and non-monetary benefits. This holistic concept encompasses everything from base salary, learning and development opportunities, work-life integration, and other intangible benefits that contribute to overall employee satisfaction and engagement.

We recognize the value of work-life balance and offer flexibility through our hybrid working model. However, this role is hands-on and highly collaborative, requiring a consistent on-site presence to support in-person team engagement and operational needs. While some flexibility in hours is available, success in this position depends on active participation in office-based work and close collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders.

Join Raute – Where Innovation Meets Opportunity

At Raute, we build more than machines. We contribute to shaping the future of the Engineered Wood Products industry. We are a community of innovators, creators, and problem-solvers.

As a forward-looking technology leader and trusted partner in the Engineered Wood Product sector, we help our customers maximize raw material efficiency and support sustainable operations through data-driven innovations. With over 115 years of experience and a global presence, we are a leader in veneer, plywood, and LVL industries. Our vision is to be the partner to future-proof the wood industry. With our innovative solutions, we drive change and promote a resource-efficient society. Raute’s head office and main production are in Lahti, Finland, with additional manufacturing sites in Kajaani, Canada, China, and the USA

Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to leading the industry towards a more sustainable future in engineered wood products by creating long-term value for our customers, society, and the environment.

Our culture is built on strong values: Creating Customer Success, Promoting Development, Acting Sustainably, and Achieving Together. These values guide our daily work and describe the people who succeed at Raute. We believe that every employee has a voice and their contributions are valued. We encourage open communication and collaboration, ensuring that everyone's ideas and perspectives are heard and respected.

Join us and be part of a company that not only values your professional development but also cares about your well-being. Together, we can achieve great things and make a positive impact on the world.

Learn more about Raute at Raute.com.

Raute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions at Raute are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of discrimination, harassment, or unfair treatment. All employees are treated with dignity and respect, ensuring a safe and equitable workplace for everyone.