Director of Product Development

Socket.dev; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

CMD Corporation seeks a Director of Product Development to provide executive leadership for product development, engineering, and technical innovation strategy in an OEM manufacturing environment. This leader will translate business objectives and customer needs into practical technical solutions, build high-performing teams, and align roadmaps with strategic direction.

The role requires a strong track record in engineering leadership, project execution, and collaboration with cross-functional

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/ Electrical/ Industrial Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive engineering, product development, or technical leadership experience.
• Experience leading engineering teams in a manufacturing or capital equipment environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Company’s technology roadmap, innovation programs, and product development initiatives to support long-term business growth and customer success.
• Align product engineering priorities with customer requirements, market needs, operational capabilities, and commercialization readiness.
• Provide executive oversight for New Technology Initiatives (NTI), advanced technology development, and validation of new technical solutions.
• Oversee engineering execution for sold work, including web converting equipment, kits, upgrades, and related customer-focused solutions.
• Champion platform-based architecture, reusable technology frameworks, and standardization opportunities across equipment and product lines.
• Guide projects from concept through completion, ensuring scope, cost, quality, schedule, and delivery expectations are effectively managed.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

MBA

Job description

Position: Director of Product Development

Reports to: President

Supervisory Responsibilities: A team of Engineering leaders

Our Purpose: Making It Better Together… We believe in building lifelong partnerships, providing high performing equipment and value-added solutions. We empower and trust our employees to take initiative and make decisions that drive our business forward. We strive to make a positive impact on the world around us.

Director of Product Development Summary: The Director of Product Development provides executive leadership for the Company’s product development, engineering, and technical innovation strategy. This role is responsible for translating business objectives, customer needs, and market opportunities into practical technical solutions that support growth, operational excellence, and long-term customer success. As a key member of the leadership team, the Director builds and develops high-performing engineering teams, advances product and technology roadmaps, and ensures technical priorities are aligned with the Company’s strategic direction in an OEM manufacturing environment.

Director of Product Development Essential Functions

Strategic and Customer Driven Initiatives

• Lead the Company’s technology roadmap, innovation programs, and product development initiatives to support long-term business growth and customer success.
• Align product engineering priorities with customer requirements, market needs, operational capabilities, and commercialization readiness.
• Provide executive oversight for New Technology Initiatives (NTI), advanced technology development, and validation of new technical solutions.
• Oversee engineering execution for sold work, including web converting equipment, kits, upgrades, and related customer-focused solutions.
• Champion platform-based architecture, reusable technology frameworks, and standardization opportunities across equipment and product lines.
• Guide projects from concept through completion, ensuring scope, cost, quality, schedule, and delivery expectations are effectively managed.
• Provide direction on complex technical issues and promote best practices in engineering design, development, documentation, and decision-making.
• Support successful product launches, technology transitions, and market adoption in partnership with sales, operations, purchasing, service, and other cross-functional teams.

Organizational Leadership

• Build, lead, and develop high-performing engineering and technical teams that demonstrate accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Establish department goals, performance indicators, priorities, and operating rhythms that align with strategic business objectives.
• Participate in strategic planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and financial review processes; recommend adjustments that support business performance and product development priorities.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and implement best practices that improve engineering effectiveness, operational efficiency, quality, and speed to market.
• Foster an environment where employees are encouraged to raise ideas, solve problems, contribute to decision-making, and support continuous improvement.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, competitive developments, and customer needs to inform product strategy and technical direction.
• Establish and maintain strategic technology partnerships with industry partners, higher education institutions, suppliers, and other external resources.
• Support intellectual property activities by maintaining appropriate technical records and collaborating with patent counsel on patent-related matters.
• Coach, mentor, and develop leaders and staff through clear expectations, SMART goals, ongoing feedback, and development planning aligned with departmental strategy.
• Address performance concerns, employee relations matters, and workplace conflict in a timely, constructive, and compliant manner.
• Perform supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Company policies and applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Director of Product Development Competencies

• Demonstrated technical acumen in product development, engineering design, manufacturing processes, and equipment commercialization.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate engineering and technical teams while fostering accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business, customer, and executive-level recommendations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with a practical focus on customer value, operational performance, risk management, and continuous improvement.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, ERP systems, product lifecycle management practices, engineering documentation systems, and project management tools.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Work environment

CMD is located in Appleton, WI. Our three facilities operate by secure entry, are well lit, air temperature controlled for comfort, and clean with low noise. Safety is our top priority. Our culture is centered around mutual respect, clarity of communication, and employee wellbeing.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods while working at a desk or computer.
• Capacity to use standard office equipment such as computer, telephone, and videoconferencing.
• Ability to navigate manufacturing floor environment, which may include walking on uneven surfaces, climbing stairs, and standing for extended periods.
• Capacity to wear personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, ear protection, and hard hat as needed.
• Ability to tolerate exposure to moderate levels of noise, vibration, odor, and varying temperatures in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to follow health and safety guidelines and protocols including emergency procedures.
• Regular, predictable attendance is required.

Status

Full-time, exempt.

Travel

Travel to customer sites, partners, or suppliers may be required. Routine business travel such as trade shows or training opportunities. International travel may be required. (up to 20%)

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline required; advanced degree or equivalent executive-level technical leadership experience preferred.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA), preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive engineering, product development, or technical leadership experience, including at least 5 years leading engineering teams, product development initiatives, or technology programs in a manufacturing or capital equipment environment.
• Experience in an OEM manufacturing environment, particularly with capital equipment, engineered-to-order products, or complex machinery, is highly valued.

Additional Requirements

Work Authorization/Security Clearance/Confidentiality: Must be authorized to work in the United States, and adhere to CMD’s confidentiality agreement(s).

EEO statement

CMD Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, parental status, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.