Position Summary:
Lead the development and innovation of new products and systems, enhancement and support for existing products, and testing. Be able to respond quickly and effectively to market trends and customer needs. Be a catalyst for optimizing innovative product designs, understanding system responsibilities requirements and building proactive customer relationships. Champion the use of concurrent engineering throughout the organization. This individual is a critical part of the business unit management team that will drive the organization’s growth. The V.P. of engineering must also manage all aspects of quality for all manufacturing sites. This includes maintaining a low PPM and using any and all tools to drive quality improvements across all customers. The V.P. of engineering also supports all product liability and legal for the operating unit.
- Essential Functions:Support product teams and provide effective project management for new product development, systems integration and existing product improvements that meet scheduled completion dates and key performance objectives.
- Lead in the creation of innovative solutions to support VA/VE initiatives.
- Facilitate team based leadership concepts including open communication, concurrent engineering, and continuous improvement.
- Continually work to improve standards and processes in all phases of the product cycle including the design process, documentation and systems responsibilities.
- Envision potential applications for core technology beyond existing products.
- Work closely with the product teams, sales, and customers to develop innovative, cost effective, producible solutions to design specifications and field requirements.
- Prepare annual budgets, tracking and accountability for actual expenditures.
- Develop and manage project plans and schedules to assure objectives are met.
- Create innovative and proprietary technology and product platforms
- Foster focused resources and cross-functional teamwork.
- Identify new and/or opportunistic applications and ideas in addition to cultivating relationships with current and target customers.
- Building and leading a dynamic organization and setting the pace and example as leader, coach, and mentor to further build and strengthen the culture/skills of the team.
- Lead technical reviews with key customers, regulatory and research bodies, author and deliver technical presentations, white papers and similar to industry
- Work with in house and outside counsel to lead IP strategy and execution, oversee administration and prosecution of existing and pending IP.
- Work with peers to improve business process efficiency in areas of responsibility, including ISO 9001, as well as refinements to the RFE, ECN, and engineering services processes and procedures.
- Establish a deep and broad competitive bench marking system that defines and catalogs competitive product performance levels for products in both child and specialty vehicle restraint product lines.
Role Qualifications:Skills, Abilities and Other Requirements:
- Restraint system industry experience is preferred. However, individuals with a background in the design of other components will also be considered.
- Must have experience with product development including project planning, scheduling, stack ups, theoretical analysis, testing and overall design responsibility.
- A background in an entrepreneurial organization focused on developing well-engineered custom components and systems is most desirable.
- Very strong communication skills, to include spoken, written and presentation skills
- Strong analytical, and interpersonal skills
Education and Experience:
- College graduate with Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Master’s degree preferred. Strong leadership capability required.
- 10+ years of product design/engineering experience with at least five years in an engineering management role in areas such as: research and development, laboratory testing, design or engineering services.
- Experience supporting bids and proposals and managing multiple development projects concurrently.
- Experience leading an engineering team that has designed unique custom products for a specific customer base and the associated requirements.
- Solid business, financial, and project management skills coupled with strategic planning experience.
- Solid mix of technical and leadership skills as well as ability to communicate easily at both the technical and non-technical level.
- Proven record of creativity and developing innovative solutions to highly complex technical requirements.
- Demonstrated record of building and maintaining effective working relationships with customers, peers, subordinates and management.
- Ability to mentor engineering staff on technical issues and work closely with sales and product teams to define product specifications.
- Experience in multi site, multi country organizational structure
- Experience in the growth and professional development of people
- Ability to lead in a matrix organization
- Familiarity with engineering services functions and their implementation, use and management
Physical Demands and Work Environment:Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, reach with arms and hands, climb stairs, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk or hear. Approximately 25% travel will be required to meet with customers or support marketing events. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 lbs.
Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time and an air-conditioned and heated office. The noise level is moderate. The factory floor is in the same building as the office. Occasional outdoor all weather exposure for testing and/or customer support may be required.
Disclaimer:
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
