Director of Engineering

Director of Engineering 3.0 3.0 out of 5 stars 1060 East Pole Road, Everson, WA 98247 $155,000 - $195,000 a year - Full-time Retrotec, Inc. 3 reviews $155,000 - $195,000 a year - Full-time About Retrotec Retrotec is the world leader in airflow diagnostic instruments. Our products are the standard tools used by energy auditors, building scientists, raters, and HVAC professionals worldwide to measure airtightness, ventilation, and building performance — and to certify residential, commercial, duct, and large-enclosure construction against the building codes and standards that govern modern construction. The product family spans variable-speed blower door fans for residential, commercial, and large-building airtightness testing; multi-channel digital manometers; duct testing systems; precision calibration chambers; the rCloud software platform for test management, reporting, and fleet oversight; and Android-based field applications used on the job site by our customers. Behind the products is a broad technology stack — embedded firmware on PIC32 and ESP32, Linux on BananaPi Zero, mobile and desktop applications written in Dart/Flutter, C#, Java, and Python — that this role will help shape and steward. Headquartered in Everson, WA — just outside Bellingham — we're a stable, profitable, employee-focused company that combines deep engineering rigor with a hands-on, collaborative culture. Our work directly enables more efficient, healthier buildings around the world. Position Summary The Director of Engineering is the senior technical leader at Retrotec, responsible for the strategy, execution, and day-to-day performance of our engineering organization. This person owns the full product development lifecycle — from concept and design through validation, regulatory compliance, and the handoff to production — and is accountable for delivering reliable, accurate, and innovative diagnostic instruments on schedule and on budget. Reporting to the Co-CEOs and managing a cross-disciplinary team of 8-10 engineers spanning mechanical, electronics, embedded firmware, and software, this leader serves as the bridge between the executive team and the engineering organization. As one of the Co-CEOs shifts focus toward business development, this role takes ownership of the engineering operating system: running weekly engineering meetings, capturing decisions and action items, surfacing blockers, planning and resource-loading projects, generating realistic time estimates, and driving the engineering-to-production transition in close partnership with the production manager. This is a hands-on leadership role, roughly a 50/50 blend of technical work and people leadership. The right person is equally comfortable reviewing a circuit schematic, code-reviewing a Python or C# pull request, debugging a firmware release, working with the production team on a tooling or fixture issue, and presenting a product roadmap to the Co-CEOs. We're looking for someone who is friendly and easygoing on the surface but takes initiative and finishes what they start — a builder, not just an administrator. Key Responsibilities Engineering Leadership Own the technical roadmap for Retrotec's hardware, firmware, and software product lines, including blower door and duct testing systems, digital manometers, calibration equipment, and the rCloud platform. Lead, mentor, and grow the engineering team across mechanical, electronics, embedded firmware, and software disciplines. Current stack includes embedded firmware on PIC32 and ESP32, Linux on BananaPi Zero, mobile and desktop apps in Dart/Flutter, C#, Java, and Python, and Android-platform field applications. Set clear objectives, conduct code and design reviews, and develop technical talent.

Run the engineering operating cadence:

chair regular engineering meetings, capture action items, drive them to closure between meetings, and surface blockers to the executive team before they become fires. Build and maintain project plans, time estimates, and resource allocation across concurrent projects. Make tradeoff calls when reality diverges from plan. Drive the full new-product development lifecycle — requirements, design reviews, prototyping, validation, regulatory compliance, pilot runs, and design release — so projects move cleanly from concept to completion in production. Maintain engineering rigor — design documentation, version control, change management, DFM/DFA reviews, and failure analysis — appropriate to a precision instrumentation company. Apply modern engineering tools — including AI assistants for code review, documentation, and technical research — where they accelerate the work, while keeping qualified human review on design releases and production changes. Champion innovation in measurement accuracy, connectivity, usability, and field durability while maintaining backward compatibility with our installed base. Concept to Production Deliver complete, production-ready design packages to the production team — engineering drawings, BOMs, assembly and test procedures, fixture specs, calibration procedures, and work instructions — so they can build with confidence and minimal back-and-forth. Lead pilot runs and first-article validation for new and revised products; iterate on the design package based on what the production team learns when the product first hits the line. Manage the technical relationship with our manufacturing partners across injection molding, CNC, sheet metal, and PCB assembly; qualify new components and vendors in partnership with purchasing. Provide engineering support to the production team when an issue requires design, firmware, or test investigation — keeping production unblocked without taking on day-to-day production management, which is the production manager's role. Own the calibration program and

ISO 17025

accreditation for pressure and flow — methods, procedures, chamber integrity, technical training of calibration staff, and audit readiness. Quality, Compliance & Support Ensure every product shipped meets Retrotec's specifications and the residential, commercial, duct, and enclosure integrity testing standards our customers rely on (e.g., ASTM, ISO, RESNET, ATTMA, USACE protocols, and regional equivalents). Manage regulatory and certification requirements (FCC, CE, UKCA, and others relevant to our international markets). Oversee the technical side of warranty, repair, and field support, ensuring escalations are resolved and that trends feed back into design and production improvements. Strategy & Cross-Functional Leadership Serve on the senior leadership team and contribute to company-wide strategy, budgeting, and planning. Partner with Sales, Marketing, Training, and Customer Support to ensure products meet real-world customer needs and that technical communication — datasheets, manuals, training content — is accurate and clear. Prepare and manage the engineering budget, including capital expenditures for tooling, test equipment, and calibration infrastructure. Represent Retrotec technically with key customers, standards bodies, industry groups, and at trade events when appropriate. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Software, or a closely related engineering discipline. Master's degree preferred. 10+ years of progressive engineering experience, including at least 5 years leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams. Demonstrated experience taking precision electronic or electro-mechanical products from concept through release into production — ideally instrumentation, test equipment, or similar regulated hardware — including design transfer packages, supplier qualification, and pilot runs. Strong working knowledge across several of the following: mechanical design (fans, enclosures, airflow, injection-molded and CNC-machined parts); analog and digital electronics with the ability to read and reason about schematics; embedded firmware on microcontrollers (PIC32, ESP32) and Linux SBCs (e.g., BananaPi Zero); sensor design and signal conditioning; and connected-device software in Dart/Flutter, C#, Java, Python, and on the Android platform. Experience bringing hardware products from concept to volume production, including DFM/DFA, reliability testing, and supplier qualification. Direct experience with ISO 9001 and/or ISO 17025, or comparable quality and calibration frameworks. Track record of running an engineering operating system — meetings, action items, project plans, resource allocation, and realistic time estimates that hold up under contact with reality. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate between engineering depth and executive-level clarity. A friendly, easygoing collaborator who takes initiative without being prompted and finishes what they start. Comfortable using and championing AI assistants and other modern engineering tools, with appropriate human oversight on releases and production changes. Ability to work on-site at our Everson, WA headquarters, full-time. Preferred Qualifications Background in building science, HVAC, airflow measurement, or related fields. Familiarity with the standards ecosystem around airtightness and duct testing (ASTM

E779/E1827/E3158, ISO 9972, RESNET, ATTMA TSL1/2, USACE

ABAA, Passive House, etc.). Hands-on experience with any of the technologies in our current stack: PIC32, ESP32, BananaPi Zero / Linux SBCs, Dart/Flutter, C#, Java, Python, or the Android platform. What We Offer A senior leadership seat at a stable, profitable, employee-focused company that is genuinely the world leader in its field. The opportunity to shape the next generation of diagnostic tools used to build more efficient, healthier buildings worldwide. A collaborative, hands-on culture with deep technical expertise across the team. Competitive salary commensurate with experience, performance bonus, medical/dental/vision benefits, paid time off, and retirement plan.

Benefits Quarterly Bonus Structure:

Eligible for bonuses up to 20% of annual salary. 401

K Plan:

Enhanced 401K with an additional 1.5% in matching (50% match of first 3% contributed by employee).

Health Coverage:

100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance for the employee. Coverage available for dependents at the employee's cost.

Paid Time Off:

4 weeks vacation.

Health & Wellness Bonus:

Quarterly health & wellness bonus of up to $500 per year (gym membership, exercise equipment, etc.).

Professional Development:

Training, certifications, and conferences supported. Equal Opportunity Retrotec is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of every background and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. To Apply Submit a resume and a short cover letter describing a hardware product you've led end-to-end — from concept through volume production — to grace@retrotec.com .

Pay:

$155,000.00 - $195,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person