Position Summary
The Technical Director – North America is responsible for developing and executing ME Elecmetal's technical strategy to deliver integrated mining process solutions across North America. This role translates customer operational challenges—primarily within comminution and the mining value chain—into innovative, value-driven solutions that improve performance, reduce operating costs, and support sustainability initiatives.
The Technical Director provides strategic leadership for Product Design, New Product Development, Materials Engineering, and Mineral Process Engineering while coordinating closely with Global R&D and the Simulation Center of Excellence to ensure technical excellence and innovation.
Key Responsibilities
- Market & Technical Strategy Develop and execute the North American technical strategy aligned with business objectives.
- Maintain a strong understanding of mining operations, comminution processes, customer challenges, and industry trends.
- Partner with Sales, Product Management, and customer-facing teams to identify market opportunities.
- Monitor competitive technologies and evaluate their impact on business strategy.
- Assess technical capabilities and identify future investments needed to support growth.
- Advise executive leadership and New Business Development on technical capabilities required for new markets and opportunities.
- Solution Development & Innovation Lead Product Design and New Product Development teams in creating integrated customer solutions.
- Translate customer operational needs into engineered solutions, material selections, and product specifications.
- Coordinate simulation activities with the Global Simulation Center of Excellence.
- Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering to ensure manufacturable, cost-effective solutions.
- Direct metallurgical and materials development efforts, including alloys, composites, and emerging materials.
- Drive innovation that delivers measurable customer value.
- Technical Leadership & Operations Lead the Product Design, New Product Development, Materials Engineering, and Mineral Process Engineering teams.
- Establish technical standards, engineering processes, and performance metrics.
- Develop departmental budgets aligned with strategic objectives.
- Recruit, develop, and mentor technical talent.
- Monitor project execution, engineering quality, and solution implementation.
- Partner with Global R&D to establish research priorities and technology roadmaps.
- Participate in global technical forums and cross-regional engineering initiatives.
- Communicate technical recommendations and strategic assessments to executive leadership.
- This position provides leadership for the following technical functions: Product Design New Product Development Materials Engineering Mineral Process Engineering Core Business Concepts ME FIT® System Integrated optimization programs combining products, engineering services, and operational data to improve customer performance in productivity, reliability, availability, safety, efficiency, and energy consumption.
- VAES (Value Added Engineering Services) Technical services including: Optimization analysis Wear tracking 3D scanning Failure analysis Custom material development Integrated Solutions Development of customer-focused solutions that combine products, materials engineering, mineral processing expertise, and digital technologies.
- Technology Agnostic Approach Recommend the best technical solution for each customer while leveraging ME Elecmetal's engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
- Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, Mining Engineering, or a related engineering discipline required.
- Advanced engineering degree preferred.
- Candidates without a formal engineering degree may be considered with 15+ years of progressive mining operations or mining equipment experience demonstrating exceptional technical expertise.
- 10+ years of experience in mining operations, mining equipment, mineral processing, or industrial manufacturing.
- Deep technical expertise in at least one major mining process, preferably comminution (SAG, Ball Mills, AG Mills, or Crushing).
- Experience leading technical, engineering, or product development teams.
- Proven success translating customer challenges into engineered solutions.
- Experience evaluating emerging technologies and technical feasibility.
- Background in product development, process engineering, or technical services.
- Technical Knowledge Strong understanding of metallurgy and materials science.
- Knowledge of wear materials, alloy selection, corrosion resistance, and failure analysis.
- Understanding of the mining process, including comminution, classification, flotation, and thickening.
- Experience with engineering analysis tools such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Discrete Element Modeling (DEM), 3D Scanning, and Digital Twin technologies.
- Leadership Competencies Strategic thinking and systems-level problem solving.
- Customer-focused mindset.
- Cross-functional leadership and collaboration.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Sound technical judgment and decision-making.
- Adaptability and continuous learning.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with a mining OEM or integrated foundry/engineering organization.
- Exposure to multiple comminution technologies.
- Knowledge of emerging materials and advanced manufacturing processes.
- Understanding of mining sustainability initiatives.
- Experience utilizing simulation tools and advanced analytics.
- Language Fluent in English (written and verbal) required.
- Spanish proficiency preferred.
