
Engineering Manager
Crane · West Caldwell, NJ
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $164k–$196k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 60+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management manufacturing role at Crane (aerospace & defense) in West Caldwell, NJ.
- They ask for
- 60+ years · degree required
- Base pay
- $164k–$196k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in New Jersey: typical posted base $130k–$176k. This one lists $164k–$196k.
Median of the low and high ends of 4 live postings that list pay, out of 27 manufacturing engineer openings in New Jersey, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
New Jersey plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 26 other live manufacturing postings in New Jersey.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (60+ vs 10+)
Similar roles usually ask 10+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Lean 85%
- Root cause 85%
- ✓ Team leadership 70%
- 5S 67%
- Time studies 67%
- Capacity planning 67%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Crane
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Crane in West Caldwell
3 other open roles at this site.
- Quality Engineer III · Quality · Senior
- Maintenance Technician III · Reliability · Technician
- Quality Technician · Quality · Technician
Full description from CraneAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job Summary
The Manager of Engineering will be overseeing a team of RF Engineers & Mechanical Engineers. This role is responsible for managing the creation, improvement, and maintenance of products and processes within the engineering department. The position requires experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals, as well as the ability to lead and direct the work of others. A high degree of creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability is expected. The Manager will work cross functionally with other departments including Operations, Finance, Human Resources and others at the site. The Manager will report to the VP, General Manager of the Microwave.
Essential Functions
- ◆Provides leadership and management for product development and sustaining programs and activities
- ◆Hires, develops, and manages the engineering team to strengthen intellectual capital and deliver business results. Ensures the team has the right skill mix to sustain and grow the business while meeting customer needs.
- ◆Stays current with technology trends and ensures appropriate training and development for yourself and the team. Partners with business development and sales to shape the technology roadmap and align future skills and project priorities.
- ◆Guides efforts to enhance existing products and support the development of new offerings.
- ◆Plans and manages resource deployment across multiple projects to ensure effective execution. Support the establishment of and directly manage operating plan budgets for IR&D, sustaining, funded engineering, and marketing support
- ◆Supports the establishment of and maintain design guidelines and design processes
- ◆Serves as a technical point of contact for site representing Crane with existing and potential customers.
- ◆Provides management support and guidance on business proposals and engineering estimates for development and recurring costs on new programs. Cultivates and manages a results‑focused culture that balances innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- ✓Experience: 10 years related experience. 3 years of supervisory experience; Demonstrated experience with relevant standards and practices; Demonstrated strong customer orientation
- ✓Knowledge: Experience with RF Passive component simulation and design best practices.
- ✓Skills/Abilities: Demonstrated ability to plan and accomplish goals based on experience and judgment; Demonstrated skills in the following
responsibilities
employee development, team building, business acumen, continuous improvement, systems and tools, project management and communication (written and verbal).
- ◆Education/Certification : BS Electrical Engineering, BS Physics or BS in Relevant Engineering Field
- ◆Eligibility Requirement : This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. If applicable, final offers will be contingent on ability to obtain authorization for access to U.S. export-controlled information from the U.S. Government. Additionally, as a US Department of Defense contractor, we are bound by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants selected could be subject to a Government security investigation and must meet the eligibility
requirements
for access to classified information.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering (with an emphasis on RF passive design field)
- ✓Demonstrated understanding of Military, Space and Commercial Aerospace standards and related processes. Demonstrated experience with industry standards and practices.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Crane Aerospace and Electronics has an exciting career opportunity for an Engineering Manager at our West Caldwell, NJ location.
About Crane
Crane Aerospace & Electronics supplies critical systems and components to the aerospace and defense markets. You’ll find Crane Aerospace & Electronics in some of the toughest environments: from engines to landing gear; from satellites to medical implants and from missiles to unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Every time you use phone navigation, make a bank transaction or have food delivered to your home, Crane Aerospace & Electronics Microwave product is hard at work. Located in the tight-knit, family-first West Caldwell, NJ., community, our West Caldwell facility supplies industry-leading microwave components and systems for use in space, defense and commercial applications, including GPS III satellites. With more than 60 years of expertise, our Microwave group has proven capabilities in major military, communications, electronic warfare, radar and satellite systems. Start the next chapter of your career with Crane Aerospace & Electronics!
Working Conditions
- •Standard office environment
- •Work requires substantial visual concentration on detail
- •Working conditions are normal for a manufacturing environment
- •Manufacturing operations may require the use of safety equipment to include but not limited to: eye safety glasses, gowning, masks, hearing protectors, heel/wrist straps and any other required PPE
- •May be exposed to unusual environmental conditions such as loud noises, cold temperatures, confined spaces, dust or fumes
Standing: 10% *percentage is approximate and may vary depending on work task
Sitting: 90% *percentage is approximate and may vary depending on work task
Lifting (in pounds): up to 10 pounds
Pushing (in pounds): up to 10 pounds
Mental/Visual: use of computer, calculator, filing cabinets
Workspace (line, cube, etc): office
As a team member at Crane Aerospace and Electronics, you’ll enjoy
- •Benefits: Health care, dental or life insurance starting the first day of the month
- •Time Off: 15 days of paid time off that start accruing your first day at Crane and 12 paid holidays per year.
- •401k Retirement Plan: 401k plan with company match
- •Education Reimbursement: eligible after 6 months of employment
You can see a list of our benefits at https://www.craneae.com/company/careers or visit our website at
