Director, Engineering - Motors

Ninjakitchen; Needham (MA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) with matching

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Ninjakitchen in Needham, Massachusetts, is seeking a Director of Engineering - Motors to lead a team in developing advanced motor systems for consumer products. This player/coach role focuses on technical challenges and collaboration with global suppliers.

The ideal candidate has over 15 years of experience in motor design, a strong leadership track record, and a deep understanding of electromagnetics. This position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in motor design and development.
• Proven people leadership skills.
• Expert-level understanding of electromagnetic theory.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of motor engineers.
• Drive motor technology strategy.
• Provide technical oversight across end-to-end motor development.

Skills

Electromagnetic design

People leadership

Motor control principles

FEA tools

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Master’s or Ph.D. preferred

Tools

Maxwell

JMAG

Motor-CAD

Job description

Director of Engineering - Motors

At SharkNinja, we push the boundaries to develop world‑class consumer products that transform everyday life. The Director of Engineering – Motors is a senior technical and people leader responsible for shaping the strategy, design, and development of advanced motor systems across SharkNinja’s growing product portfolio.

This is a player/coach role — you will lead and grow a team of motor engineers while staying hands‑on with the most complex technical challenges. You bring deep expertise in electromagnetic design, electromechanical systems, and power conversion, and you excel at partnering with global motor suppliers to develop purpose‑built solutions for our products. The ability to bridge rigorous technical depth with cross‑functional and supplier collaboration is essential. Airflow and fluid‑dynamics experience is a strong plus, particularly in applications involving fans, blowers, or high‑performance suction systems.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and develop a team of motor engineers — setting clear goals, fostering technical growth, and building a high‑performing, collaborative engineering culture.
• Drive motor technology strategy, defining the roadmap for motor architectures across SharkNinja’s product portfolio including BLDC, universal, and switched reluctance motors.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance across end‑to‑end motor development from concept through prototype, validation, and production — working closely with motor manufacturers to ensure designs meet SharkNinja’s performance and quality requirements.
• Partner deeply with global motor suppliers to co‑develop optimized motor solutions, driving detailed design collaboration, component optimization, and production readiness.
• Define and hold motor performance targets in partnership with cross‑functional engineering teams — torque, speed, noise, vibration, efficiency, and thermal characteristics — aligned with product requirements.
• Conduct and guide advanced electromagnetic and electromechanical analysis in partnership with cross‑functional engineering teams, including FEA and simulation for magnetic circuits and rotor/stator design.
• Collaborate closely with electrical, mechanical, controls, and firmware teams to ensure optimal motor integration, commutation algorithms, and drive efficiency.
• Guide motor material selection, including laminations, magnets, winding specifications, and insulation systems.
• Ensure design for manufacturability (DFM) and scalability in partnership with suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Collaborate with airflow and mechanical design teams on system‑level performance where fluid dynamics interact with motor behavior.
• Contribute to SharkNinja’s technology roadmap in motor and actuation systems, representing the motors function in senior leadership forums.

What You’ll Bring

• 15+ years of experience in motor design and development, ideally in consumer products, appliances, or electromechanical systems — with demonstrated experience in a technical leadership or management role.
• Proven people leadership skills — experience building, mentoring, and developing engineering teams.
• Expert‑level understanding of electromagnetic theory, motor physics, and magnetic material properties.
• Hands‑on experience with FEA tools (e.g., Maxwell, JMAG, Motor‑CAD) for electromagnetic and thermal modeling.
• Strong background in electrical machine design, including stator winding, rotor dynamics, and torque ripple optimization.
• Deep knowledge of motor control principles, including sensorless and vector control, PWM techniques, and inverter systems.
• Extensive supplier partnership experience — driving detailed design collaboration, refinement, and production readiness with global motor suppliers.
• Experience working with Asian motor suppliers, particularly in managing design collaboration, communication, and development cycles across time zones and cultural contexts.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes for motors (stamping, winding, potting, balancing).
• Airflow and fluid‑dynamics experience is highly advantageous.
• Proven cross‑functional collaborator across mechanical, electrical, and firmware disciplines.
• Strong communication, analytical, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering required; Master’s or Ph.D. preferred with emphasis in electromagnetics or motor systems.

Salary and Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $190,000 – $210,000 USD. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

Benefits

Medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts (HSA) with company contribution, 401(k) retirement plan with matching, employee stock purchase program, life insurance, AD&D, short‑term disability insurance, long‑term disability insurance, generous paid time off, company holidays, parental leave, identity theft protection, pet insurance, pre‑paid legal insurance, backup child and eldercare days, product discounts, referral bonus program, and more.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other class protected by legislation, and local law. SharkNinja will consider reasonable accommodations consistent with legislation, and local law. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact SharkNinja People & Culture at [e-mail].