Director – Technical Excellence and Innovation

Fluence; United States; Remote; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the technology sector is seeking an experienced professional to lead their Technical Excellence team. The role involves driving innovation, managing intellectual property, and optimizing product lifecycle management. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in technology assessment and a proven track record of leading high-performing teams. This position offers the opportunity to shape the organization's innovation strategy and deliver high-value products aligned with market needs.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of leadership experience in technology and product management.
• Proven experience in managing high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical strategy and innovation for product development.
• Manage intellectual property and patent portfolio.
• Implement Design-to-Cost methodologies for product optimization.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical Thinking

Problem Solving

Education

Master’s degree or MBA

Tools

Lean

Six Sigma

Job description

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced professional with over 20 years of expertise to lead a high-performing Technical Excellence team. This role focuses on driving innovation, supporting product management in strategizing the product roadmap, and ensuring the organization remains competitive by aligning market demands with advanced technology. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in intellectual property (IP) management, product lifecycle optimization, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and cost-efficient design.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Technical Strategy and Innovation:

• Lead the team to analyze the competitive landscape and provide insights to guide the product roadmap.
• Collaborate with research institutes and R&D teams to develop new technologies aligned with market demands.
• Work closely with Product Management to ensure strategic alignment with organizational goals.

Intellectual Property Management:

• Drive a patent-focused culture within the organization, ensuring robust IP protection.
• Manage and strategize the patent portfolio, including filings, landscape analysis, and whitespace identification.
• Develop strategies to protect core technologies and innovations.

Design-to-Cost (DTC) Leadership:

• Implement and drive the Design-to-Cost methodology from inception.
• Optimize product designs for cost efficiency without compromising quality.
• Analyze design choices, materials, and processes to deliver high-value, cost-effective products.

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM):

• Oversee the entire product lifecycle, including BOM processes.
• Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams for seamless BOM integration.
• Implement best practices in product lifecycle management to improve operational efficiency.

Continuous Improvement Leadership:

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the organization.
• Leverage methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and other process improvement techniques to optimize workflows.
• Promote best practices and drive operational excellence across teams.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s degree or MBA with 15+ years of leadership experience.
• Proven experience in managing and mentoring high-performing teams.
• Deep knowledge of patent policies, IP protection, and patent strategy development.
• Expertise in technology assessment and product lifecycle management.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Analytical mindset with a hands-on problem-solving approach.
• Familiarity with methodologies like Lean and Six Sigma for continuous improvement.

Preferred Experience:

• Successful collaboration with R&D and product management teams.
• Experience in implementing Design-to-Cost methodologies and optimizing product designs.
• Track record of fostering innovation and maintaining a competitive edge in product development.

Key Competencies:

• Visionary leadership and strategic thinking.
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Deep understanding of market trends, technological advancements, and competitive landscapes.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead transformative initiatives, shape the organization's innovation strategy, and deliver high-value products aligned with market needs and technological progress.