New Product Development Manager - Data Center Cable

Prysmian Group; McKinney (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Prysmian Group in McKinney, TX is seeking an experienced R&D Product Development Manager to drive wire and cable product development from concept through commercialization. You will lead cross-functional teams across R&D, Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain to meet customer needs, standards, and business objectives.

The role emphasizes innovative materials, manufacturing processes, and cost-competitive design, with a focus on regulatory compliance and timely market entry.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a technical discipline related to wire and cable.
• 7–10 years of relevant experience in product development, materials development, or related technical functions.
• Experience in wire and cable, polymer, electrical products, or related manufacturing industries preferred.
• 2+ years of technical leadership, project leadership, or people-management experience.
• Ability to lead cross-functional technical projects from development through manufacturing implementation.
• Knowledge of wire and cable standards and certification requirements (UL, ASTM, ICEA, IEEE, NEC, CSA).
• Experience with polymeric materials, insulation/jacketing compounds, conductors, extrusion, and cable manufacturing preferred.
• Strong statistical and DOE skills; ability to communicate results.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development programs from concept through design, laboratory evaluation, manufacturing trials, qualification, and commercialization.
• Analyze technical and business information and make sound cross-functional decisions.
• Drive product and material innovation to enhance customer satisfaction, performance, productivity, and cost competitiveness.
• Develop and optimize wire and cable designs, material selections, and product specifications based on customer requirements and standards.
• Plan and coordinate laboratory evaluations, plant trials, scale-up activities, qualifications, and commercialization of new or modified products.
• Identify new product/technology needs and determine cost-effective approaches using internal and external resources.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial to resolve challenges and launch new products.
• Support evaluation, qualification, and implementation of new materials, suppliers, and technologies to improve performance and supply continuity.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline

Job description

Prysmian is the world’s leading manufacturer of wire and cable. Our North American footprint expanded in 2024 with the acquisition of McKinney, Texas–based Encore Wire. With nearly 9,000 team members across North America and 33,000 globally, Prysmian manufactures thousands of miles of underground and submarine cable systems for power transmission and distribution, as well as medium- and low-voltage cables for construction and infrastructure. We also provide a comprehensive portfolio of optical fiber, copper cable, and connectivity solutions for telecommunications, including voice, video, and data transmission. At Prysmian, every team member has the opportunity to make an impact. Wherever you are in the organization, you will be part of a company committed to operational excellence and innovation as we help transform the energy and communication infrastructures that connect the world.

Position Overview

• Responsible for leading the research, development, qualification, and commercialization of new and improved wire and cable products. Manages cross-functional product development initiatives from concept through design, laboratory evaluation, manufacturing trials, qualification, and commercial production, ensuring products meet customer needs, applicable industry standards, quality requirements, and business objectives.
• The R&D Product Development Manager serves as a technical leader and resource across R&D, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial functions. This position drives product innovation while optimizing product performance, manufacturability, material selection, cost, and speed to market.

Essential Job Functions

• Lead product development programs from concept through design, laboratory evaluation, manufacturing trials, qualification, and commercialization.
• Analyze technical and business information and make sound decisions with cross-organizational impact while serving as a technical resource for R&D and other departments.
• Drive product and material innovation to enhance customer satisfaction, product performance, manufacturing productivity, and cost competitiveness.
• Develop and optimize wire and cable designs, material selections, and product specifications based on customer requirements, manufacturing capabilities, and applicable industry standards.
• Plan and coordinate laboratory evaluations, plant trials, scale-up activities, product qualifications, and commercialization of new or modified products.
• Identify new product and technology needs and determine cost‑effective approaches to meet these objectives using internal resources, suppliers, technology partners, and other external resources as appropriate.
• Partner cross‑functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Commercial, and other functions to resolve technical challenges and successfully introduce new products into manufacturing.
• Support the evaluation, qualification, and implementation of new raw materials, compounds, suppliers, and technologies to improve product performance, manufacturability, supply continuity, and/or cost.
• Develop and maintain product specifications, technical documentation, test protocols, qualification plans, and other records required for successful product development and commercialization.
• Ensure new and modified products comply with applicable regulatory requirements, industry standards, and certification requirements, including UL and other relevant agencies.
• Apply structured problem‑solving, statistical analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), and data‑driven decision‑making to product development and manufacturing challenges.
• Pursue continuing education and remain current with emerging materials, technologies, industry standards, manufacturing capabilities, and market trends relevant to the wire and cable industry.
• Develop and justify current and future equipment, laboratory capability, facility, and staffing requirements necessary to support product development activities.
• Manage and ensure corporate, quality, safety, and regulatory compliance within assigned R&D activities and facilities.
• Develop technical talent through coaching, mentoring, and effective allocation of resources and responsibilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
• Typically 7–10 years of relevant experience in product development, materials development, product engineering, design engineering, manufacturing engineering, or related technical functions.
• Experience within the wire and cable, polymer, electrical products, or related manufacturing industries strongly preferred.
• Typically 2 or more years of technical leadership, project leadership, supervisory, or people‑management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional technical projects from development through manufacturing implementation and commercialization.
• Working knowledge of engineering materials, product design, manufacturing processes, laboratory testing, product qualification, and technical problem‑solving.
• Knowledge of applicable wire and cable standards and certification requirements, such as UL, ASTM, ICEA, IEEE, NEC, CSA, or other relevant industry standards, preferred.
• Experience with polymeric materials, insulation and jacketing compounds, conductors, cable construction, extrusion processes, and/or wire and cable manufacturing preferred.
• Familiarity with statistical methods, Design of Experiments (DOE), graphical analysis, and data‑quality evaluation, with the ability to summarize, interpret, and communicate technical results.
• Strong project‑management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, technical programs, resources, schedules, and business objectives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical information effectively across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Commercial, leadership, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated business mindset with the ability to balance technical performance, manufacturability, cost, quality, risk, and speed to market.
• Ability and willingness to travel to manufacturing locations, suppliers, customers, and technical partners as required.

Prysmian, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, aims to attract and recruit individuals with diverse backgrounds, skills, and abilities.

We strongly believe that diversity brings significant value at all levels of the organization, increasing the possibility of capturing market opportunities and maximizing value for our customers and stakeholders.

With Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) as part of our Social Ambition 2030 and a strategic pillar of our Company culture, Prysmian is committed to the development of an organization that prioritizes talent, where people feel respected, included, and free to fully express their potential just as they are.

All Managers and HRs in Prysmian are responsible for ensuring DE&I policies are respected during the recruiting process, as well as recognizing and mitigating unconscious biases that must not influence our selection processes.

All persons will be considered for employment without regard to their race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, origin, citizenship status, socio‑economic status, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, military service or veteran status, pregnancy, parental leave, medical conditions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Prysmian will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation for any disclosed physical or neurological condition or disability of a qualified applicant unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.

Visit our DE&I Page to learn more about Prysmian’s commitments.

Prysmian is a global cabling solutions provider leading the energy transition and digital transformation. By leveraging its wide geographical footprint and extensive product range, its track record of technological leadership and innovation, and a strong customer base, the company is well‑placed to capitalise on its leading positions and win in new, growing markets. Prysmian’s business strategy perfectly matches key market drivers by developing resilient, high‑performing, sustainable and innovative cable solutions in the segments of Transmission, Power Grid, Electrification and Digital Solutions. Prysmian is a public company listed on the Italian Stock Exchange, with almost 150 years of experience, about 30,000 employees, 108 plants and 26 R&D centres in over 50 countries, and sales of over €15 billion in 2023.