Director of Operations

*Want to be the technical and operational lead of an automation company where no two projects are the same? Ready to build the systems that let a talented engineering team deliver complex machines on time and on budget?* Mechatronic Design Solutions is hiring a **Director of Operations in Ottawa, ON**. Reporting directly to our CEO, you'll be the technical authority for our engineering work and lead the team that delivers it: project leads, engineers, technicians, and our build shop. Working through our project leads, you'll own delivery across the project portfolio, step in with clients on key technical and commercial matters, and put in place the tools and processes we need to grow. MechDS offers turnkey development of complex automated equipment and robotic manufacturing lines. We are a small team of engineers, technicians, and designers determined to create top-quality automated manufacturing lines with a significant impact on our clients' businesses. Our core services include process automation, equipment design, control and electrical engineering, production trials, robotic integration, and site implementation. **Ongoing projects include** * Automated industrial food manufacturing, including omelets, crepes, and tortillas * Robotic applications supporting geotechnical and mining applications. * Automated production equipment for the health tech sector. * Automated case packing of coffee bags. * High speed robotic checkweigher of precious metals. * Industrial manufacturing: automated assembly, punching, cutting. * Integration of AI-based equipment effectiveness monitoring data collection terminals. Salary Range $100,000-$140,000 per year. **What you’ll do** * Act as technical authority: review and approve system concepts, designs, and design changes across mechanical, controls, and electrical scope. * Oversee delivery of the project portfolio through our project leads: schedules, budgets, milestones, and commissioning. * Run regular project reviews with project leads to track progress, risks, and resourcing. * Plan resource loading across projects and flag capacity needs early. * Own project financial performance with Finance, including budget versus actuals, change orders, and margins. * Engage with clients at key milestones and escalations, supporting project leads from kickoff through factory and site acceptance testing. * Support Business Development with technical scoping, estimates, and proposals. * Lead, mentor, and develop project leads, engineers, technicians, and shop staff. * Run build shop operations, quality, procurement execution for projects, and facility operations. * Travel to client sites for kickoffs, installation, and commissioning. **First weeks** *Orientation* * Structured onboarding with the CEO and leadership team. * Review the active project portfolio with project leads: status, risks, and client commitments. * Meet the team and key clients. * Learn MechDS tools and processes, including ClickUp, project wor