Fractional Engineering Leadership
Built for small and mid-sized industrial and high-tech companies that need senior engineering leadership but aren't ready for a full-time hire.
Ideal For
Small and mid-sized industrial and high-tech companies in Vancouver and across Canada that need senior engineering leadership but aren't ready for a full-time hire. If you're scaling R&D, shipping products, onboarding suppliers, or building the operational systems your next growth stage demands, we step in to lead, build, and execute with the depth your team needs.
Typical Engagements
- Interim and fractional engineering leadership
- R&D and product development systems
- Engineering team structure, hiring, and onboarding
- Documentation systems: SOPs, standards, operating sheets, work instructions
- Supplier readiness: specs, onboarding, approval, and quality criteria
- Cross-functional alignment across engineering, operations, quality, and leadership
Client Wins
Scaling Production Through Supplier Manufacturing.
A small industrial products manufacturer was outgrowing in-house capacity. We partnered to transition them to a supplier-based manufacturing model by building the documentation and quality system required to scale with confidence. We developed standard operating procedures (SOPs), Manufacturing Operations Sheets (MOSs), supplier approval criteria, and clear quality specifications, so they could share requirements and specifications with manufacturers across North America and Europe while protecting intellectual property, quality, and consistency. This enabled them to source production closer to end customers, reducing shipping costs and lead times.
Building a Gated R&D Process for Scaling.
A growing industrial company had strong ideas and customer pull, but their research and development of new products lacked a clear intake and prioritization process. The customer complained of too many parallel projects, unclear priorities, and challenging handoffs to manufacturing. We implemented a lightweight stage-gate workflow with practical templates for charters, requirements, risk reviews, test plans, and decision checkpoints. This gave senior leadership a clear way to prioritize the highest-impact projects, reduce constant switching, and move the right initiatives forward with confidence. We also aligned documentation to support R&D grant applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fractional engineering leadership?
Fractional engineering leadership means bringing in a senior engineering leader on a part-time or project basis. You get the experience and capability of a VP or Director of Engineering without the cost and commitment of a full-time hire.
What size of company is this designed for?
This service is designed for small and mid-sized industrial and high-tech companies, typically between 10 and 200 employees, that need senior engineering leadership but are not yet ready or able to hire full-time.
What does a fractional engagement look like?
Engagements are scoped based on your needs. We typically work a set number of days per month, embedded with your team, leading engineering functions, projects, or processes. Engagements usually run three to twelve months.
What can a fractional engineering leader help with?
Common areas include building and scaling engineering teams, establishing R&D processes, leading product development, improving operational efficiency, and providing technical leadership during periods of growth or transition.
Do you work on-site or remotely?
Both. We work on-site at your facility, remotely, or in a hybrid arrangement depending on your location and needs. We serve companies primarily in BC and Alberta.
How is this different from hiring a consultant?
A fractional leader is embedded in your organization and acts as part of your leadership team, not as an external advisor. They own outcomes, lead people, and make decisions alongside you.
Other Ways We Work With You
1:1 Executive Leadership Coaching
One-on-one coaching for technical executives and leaders who need to build influence, make faster decisions, and lead with confidence.
Learn MorePurpose-Built Training and Group Programs
Practical workshops and group programs designed for technical teams in industrial and high-tech organizations.
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A twice-monthly newsletter with leadership insights that hold up under pressure. Written for technical leaders, engineering managers, and founders of industrial and high-tech companies, by Dr. Will Ferry, PhD P.Eng.