Director of Software Engineering, Manufacturing Operations (Hybrid)

Job overview

The Director of Software Engineering, Manufacturing Operations role is hybrid, with onsite work Tuesday through Thursday in Maple Plain, MN. The stated salary range is $164,500–$219,300 per year. The role leads technology strategy and execution supporting manufacturing across Protolabs factories. This director aligns manufacturing technology with operational needs by setting roadmaps, overseeing engineering teams, and guiding software platforms for factory execution, machine operations, and logistics. The position balances new capabilities, modernization, and operational support to help factories run and scale.

What you'll do

• Own the multi-year manufacturing technology roadmap across MES, enterprise systems, manufacturing capabilities, machine operations, and logistics
• partner with the COO and Operations leaders to assess needs and define strategy
• lead and develop engineering managers and their teams
• direct software design, development, and support
• govern platform standards, architecture, and integration patterns
• set portfolio priorities
• align technology investments with factory, supply chain, and logistics stakeholders
• drive software quality, release, and production-support improvements.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

director of software engineering

manufacturing operations

hybrid

mes

enterprise systems

manufacturing technology

engineering leadership

logistics

maple plain mn

protolabs

$164,500–$219,300/year

tuesday–thursday onsite

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Health insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• health savings account with employer contributions
• dental and vision
• life insurance
• short- and long-term disability
• paid caregiver leave
• at least three weeks of PTO, wellness and holiday pay, volunteer hours
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
• employee stock purchase program
• matching grants through Protolabs Foundation.

Why this role

Leads multiple software development teams and manufacturing technology across all factories. The posting states that the role is limited to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or foreign nationals granted refugee or asylee status.

About the employer

Protolabs is hiring for this role. Industry: Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). Sector: 54.