Manager, Design Center

KYOCERA International, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 115,807 - 167,684; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Time Off

401(k) with company match

Comprehensive Health Coverage

Job summary

KYOCERA International, Inc. is seeking a Manager for their Design Center in San Diego, CA. The successful candidate will lead a team of engineers, manage engineering functions, and drive product development initiatives. This role requires a solid background in engineering and management, with responsibilities spanning from design to customer interaction.

The company offers a competitive salary range between $115,807 and $167,684 annually, based on experience. Experience in manufacturing and a relevant engineering degree are essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing or technical sales.
• 3 years of management experience in an engineering or production environment.
• Understanding of customer engineering requirements, including technical drawings.

Responsibilities

• Manage Engineering and Sales Technical support for product lines.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Sales Managers on product design.
• Research customer design needs and assign engineers to projects.

Skills

Communication skills

Knowledge of materials and production processes

Strong computer skills (MS Office, AutoCAD, SolidWorks)

Bi-lingual language skills (Japanese and English)

Education

4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Job Title: Manager, Design Center

Location: San Diego, CA

Salary Range: $115,807 - $167,684 annually

Note: Final offer based on experience, education, skills, and market factors

About Kyocera

Kyocera International, Inc. is a global leader in advanced ceramic technologies used in aerospace, automotive, medical, and semiconductor industries.

Benefits

• Generous Time Off
  • 3 weeks of vacation to start (120 hours/year)
  • 10 paid holidays annually
• Financial Wellness
  • Competitive pay
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Employer-paid pension plan
• Comprehensive Health Coverage
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Investing in You
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Paid time off to volunteer
  • Flexible schedules
• Work-Life Balance & Culture
  • Onsite gyms, walking tracks, and employee gardens at larger locations
  • Long-tenured team (many with 30+ years of service)
  • Inclusive and diverse workforce
  • Company philosophy rooted in doing the right thing as a human being

Position Overview

The Design Center Manager is responsible for managing the Engineering and future Sales Technical support for a product line. The role typically leads a team of 1–6 engineers who conceive, design, and execute engineered solutions meeting product performance requirements for the Business Unit. Focus areas include backend assembly, materials, and component- and system-level design, as well as development, optimization, and production quoting.

Responsibilities

1. Collaborate with Engineering and Sales Managers to determine where the product can be designed or redesigned, or new product lines introduced.
2. Increase information quality and volume from Market with KC technology team to improve overseas business contributions.
3. Research customer design needs and assign design engineers to appropriate projects; delegate resources to U.S. production operations.
4. Address lingering engineering issues related to new and existing products that limit market gain.
5. Assist with new business inquiries and explore market opportunities based on Kyocera technologies, including partners, M&A, and strategic partnerships.
6. Coordinate communication with Production, engineers, ISD, Marketing, Corporate Development, and divisional management in U.S. operations to promote aligned new business development.
7. Participate in Amoeba Management, analyze finances monthly, report to KC and KII leadership, and manage expenses including labor and travel.
8. Contribute to division goals and milestones for the Master Plan and 3-year Plans, monitor progress, and report progress.
9. Perform presentations to upper management on progress and status of development projects.
10. Develop departmental standards and ensure compliance.
11. Responsible for daily customer interaction and relationship management within own account base in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.
12. Represent assigned customer requests in the U.S. and Europe; serve as main technical contact or delegate to team members.
13. Generate new business inquiries, explore opportunities for the group, and support technical sales efforts.
14. Attend customer trials and experimental applications as required; act as technical resource for customers.
15. Daily account monitoring activity, including metrics tracking, scheduling, logistics, design wins, analytics, and presentations.
16. Mentor and manage design engineers, train, hire, and develop the team, coach performance, perform labor planning, and model ethical behavior and accurate financial reporting.
17. Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

• 4‑year Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing or technical sales.
• 3 years of management experience in an engineering or production environment.
• Understanding of customer engineering requirements, including technical drawings.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with production teams in Japan.
• Knowledge of materials, related technology, and production processes (e.g., Metalizing, brazing, chemical cleaning, assembly, FDA regulations, CE marking, and U.S. supply chain).
• Strong computer skills: MS Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint; knowledge of AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
• Bi‑Lingual language skills preferred but not required (Japanese and English).
• Travel up to 25%.

Physical Activities

• Must talk or hear continuously.
• Must stand, walk, sit regularly.
• Must reach with hands and arms occasionally.
• Must lift or move up to 25 pounds occasionally and up to 10 pounds frequently.
• Must have visual acuity requirements: close vision, color vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

Environmental Conditions

• Must be occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts.
• Environmental noise level is usually moderate.

Mandatory Mandates

• Must comply with mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mand

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