Chief Engineer-Overhead Cranes

Company: Lift Solutions Holdings
Location: Milwaukee
Posted on: February 18, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description About Lift Solutions Lift Solutions delivers end-to-end industrial lifting solutions, including OSHA compliance inspections, crane equipment, aftermarket services, and parts for overhead cranes and other lifting and rigging equipment. We are dedicated to driving progress, efficiency, and safety—ensuring every industry benefits from our expertise, advanced technology, and commitment to quality. The New Equipment team is looking for a Chief Engineer to join the growing team! Position Summary The Chief Engineer provides strategic, technical, and operational leadership for all engineering functions related to electric overhead cranes, hoists, and material handling systems. This executive role is responsible for engineering vision, product innovation, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle support, ensuring all engineered solutions meet the highest standards of safety, performance, reliability, and cost effectiveness. What Sets Lift Solutions Apart Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits Paid Holidays 401(k) Profit Sharing/Match Employee Referral Bonus Duties & Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Develop and execute long-term engineering strategy aligned with business objectives and market demands. Drive innovation in crane design, electrification, automation, advanced controls, and Industry 4.0 technologies. Lead cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Sales, Supply Chain, Quality, and Service organizations. Guide make-versus-buy decisions, technology roadmaps, and product portfolio evolution. Engineering Management Lead and oversee all engineering disciplines, including mechanical, structural, electrical, controls/automation, and applications engineering. Establish and maintain engineering standards, design methodologies, and best practices. Ensure accurate and timely delivery of drawings, specifications, BOMs, calculations, and technical documentation. Implement robust design review, FEA, testing, and validation processes. Product Development & Innovation Lead development of new crane systems, hoists, trolleys, end trucks, bridge structures, and control platforms. Advance electrification, VFD control, automation, remote monitoring, and predictive maintenance solutions. Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies such as digital twins, AI-based load monitoring, and advanced safety systems. Regulatory, Safety & Quality Compliance Ensure compliance with applicable standards and regulations including: o CMAA, ASME B30, OSHA, NEC, UL, IEC, FEM, ISO Maintain rigorous safety engineering and risk assessment practices. Oversee product certification, testing, and quality assurance activities. Operational Excellence Optimize engineering workflows, resource utilization, and project execution. Support manufacturing through design-for-manufacturability (DFM) and design-for-serviceability (DFS). Drive cost reduction through value engineering, component standardization, and supplier collaboration. Provide technical leadership for major customer projects and custom crane solutions. Team Leadership & Development Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing engineering organization. Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. Recruit top engineering talent and develop succession plans. Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Structural, or Controls Engineering (required). Master’s degree or MBA (preferred). Professional Engineer (PE) license (strongly preferred). 10 years of engineering experience in cranes, hoists, lifting equipment, or heavy industrial machinery. 5 years of engineering leadership experience at the Director, VP, or executive level. Proven success in product development, engineering operations, and cross-functional leadership. Experience with structural analysis, crane runway design, power systems, VFDs, PLCs, and automation. Qualifications Technical & Engineering Expertise Deep knowledge of overhead crane design, load calculations, fatigue analysis, materials, and automation. Expert understanding of electrical systems, motor controls, safety circuits, and industrial controls. Proficiency with CAD/CAE tools such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor, ANSYS, or equivalent. Ability to travel up to 20% of the time. Strategic & Business Leadership Enterprise-level strategic thinking with strong commercial awareness. Ability to align engineering initiatives with revenue growth and competitive advantage. Proven decision-making capability in complex, high-impact environments. Communication & Executive Presence Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical concepts to executives, customers, and stakeholders. Confident presenter of engineering strategies, product roadmaps, and investment cases. Trusted technical advisor at the executive and board level.

Keywords: Lift Solutions Holdings, Tinley Park , Chief Engineer-Overhead Cranes, Engineering , Milwaukee, Illinois