R&D Director: Multi-Site Innovation & NPI Lead

Knowles Precision Devices; Liberty (SC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Knowles Precision Devices is seeking a Director of R&D to lead engineers across Liberty, NH; New Bedford, MA; and Mexicali, Mexico. You will drive product launches, quote custom parts, and ensure manufacturability while aligning with the 3-year NPI roadmap.

The role requires 10+ years in R&D with 5+ years in management, multi-site experience, and a track record in capacitor design and six-sigma processes. US security clearance eligibility and ITAR compliance are required.

Qualifications

• BS Degree in electrical or mechanical engineering from an accredited program.
• MBA preferred but not required.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in R&D, with 5 years in management is required.
• Multi-site engineering management experience is desired.
• Experience in capacitor design and manufacturing is desired.
• Experience with Stage Gate NPD processes and design for six sigma.
• Experience developing DFEMA analysis for risk mitigation of product designs.
• Prior involvement in implementing design for manufacturability at a cultural level.
• Passive component/circuits environmental, mechanical, and electrical testing experience.
• Working knowledge of processes for intellectual property management including writing and submitting patents.
• Experience with fast prototyping of new designs.
• Must have the ability to obtain a US security clearance.
• All applicants must be eligible to work in the US without restriction to ITAR documentation and materials.

Responsibilities

• Manage a group of 30 engineering personnel located at Liberty, New Bedford and Mexicali plants.
• Ensure quotes for custom parts meet market level lead-times.
• Ensure design of custom parts meet customer and CD specifications and are easily built by Operations.
• Ensure design team meets needs of Operations for manufacturability, CAD drawing accuracy, and weekly production meetings.
• Support plant continuous improvement initiatives for cost savings including scrap reduction, quality improvements, and productivity through DFMA.
• Support the Operations team with questions about designs produced by this team.
• Assist Operations in cost reduction and production yield improvement projects.
• Provide leadership to IT resources responsible for internal software design tools like CD’s DesignBot.
• Project manage large orders to meet customer commitments by Engineering and Operations.
• Collaborate with PLM team to generate new product ideas for the 3-year NPI roadmap.
• Ensure R&D team submits patents on novel products and features in a timely manner.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Mechanical engineering

Multi-site management

R&D management

Capacitor design

DFMEA

Stage-Gate NPD

Design for manufacturability

IP management

Rapid prototyping

US security clearance

ITAR compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical or mechanical engineering

MBA

Job description

Knowles Precision Devices is seeking a Director of R&D to lead engineers across Liberty, NH; New Bedford, MA; and Mexicali, Mexico. You will drive product launches, quote custom parts, and ensure manufacturability while aligning with the 3-year NPI roadmap.

The role requires 10+ years in R&D with 5+ years in management, multi-site experience, and a track record in capacitor design and six-sigma processes. US security clearance eligibility and ITAR compliance are required.