New Product and Manufacturing Engineering Dir (New company entering OKC)
Position Overview (New company entering Oklahoma City) We are seeking a dynamic and commercially minded Head of Product Development and Manufacturing Engineering to lead innovation for our client’s B2B Industrial Technology product segment.This is a hands-on player/coach role for a leader who can balance technical depth with business impact—someone who avoids getting lost in theory and instead drives a modern, market-driven R&D funnel that consistently delivers winning, scalable products.Key ResponsibilitiesR&D Strategy & LeadershipDefine and execute the company’s R&D strategy aligned with business goals, market trends, and customer needsBuild and lead a high-performing R&D team across product development, materials, and process engineeringAct as a player/coach, actively contributing to key projects while mentoring and developing team membersProduct Innovation & DevelopmentDrive end-to-end product development from concept through commercializationLead innovation in fiber optic cable systems, including design, materials, and performance optimizationOversee development of adjacent technologies such as connectors, terminations, and assembliesEnsure products meet industry standards (e.g., Telcordia, IEC, ISO) and customer specificationsModern R&D Funnel ExecutionImplement and manage a structured, stage-gate (or similar) R&D funnel focused on speed, ROI, and success ratePrioritize projects based on market opportunity, technical feasibility, and strategic fitEstablish clear KPIs for innovation effectiveness (time-to-market, hit rate, margin contribution, etc.)Cross-Functional CollaborationPartner with Sales, Marketing, and Operations to translate customer insights into product roadmapsWork closely with manufacturing to ensure designs are scalable, cost-effective, and production-readySupport key customer engagements, acting as a technical and strategic advisorCommercial & Business ImpactAlign R&D investments with revenue growth, margin improvement, and market differentiationEvaluate build vs. buy opportunities, partnerships, and technology licensingMonitor competitive landscape and emerging technologies in fiber optics and connectivityExperience7-10 years in engineering/R&D within B2B Industrial technology product segment.Proven track record of bringing successful products to marketExperience leading and scaling R&D teamsTechnical & Leadership SkillsAbility to operate at both strategic and hands-on levelsStrong grasp of modern product development methodologies (stage-gate, agile hardware, etc.)Excellent problem-solving skills with a bias toward practical, executable solutionsBusiness AcumenDemonstrated ability to connect R&D efforts to commercial outcomesExperience working cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, and OperationsStrong decision-making skills grounded in data, market insight, and ROIEducationBachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical, Materials Science, Mechanical, or related) requiredAdvanced degree (MS/MBA) preferredKey Traits for SuccessBuilder mindset: Focused on delivering real products, not just ideasPragmatic innovator: Balances creativity with execution and market realityHands-on leader: Willing to roll up sleeves and engage directly with technical challengesCustomer-focused: Deep understanding of end-use applications and customer pain pointsResults-driven: Measures success by product adoption, revenue, and impact