Job Description
New Product and Manufacturing Engineering Dir (New company entering OKC) at Vida Group International New Product and Manufacturing Engineering Dir (New company entering OKC) at Vida Group International in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Posted in 1 day ago.
Type:
full-time Job Description:
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 Responsibilities R D Strategy & Leadership Define and execute the company's R D strategy aligned with business goals, market trends, and customer needs Build and lead a high-performing R D team across product development, materials, and process engineering Act as a player/coach , actively contributing to key projects while mentoring and developing team members Product Innovation & Development Drive end-to-end product development from concept through commercialization Lead innovation in fiber optic cable systems , including design, materials, and performance optimization Oversee development of adjacent technologies such as connectors, terminations, and assemblies Ensure products meet industry standards (e.g., Telcordia, IEC, ISO) and customer specifications Modern R D Funnel Execution Implement and manage a structured, stage-gate (or similar) R D funnel focused on speed, ROI, and success rate Prioritize projects based on market opportunity, technical feasibility, and strategic fit Establish clear KPIs for innovation effectiveness (time-to-market, hit rate, margin contribution, etc.) Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Operations to translate customer insights into product roadmaps Work closely with manufacturing to ensure designs are scalable, cost-effective, and production-ready Support key customer engagements, acting as a technical and strategic advisor Commercial & Business Impact Align R D investments with revenue growth, margin improvement, and market differentiation Evaluate build vs. buy opportunities, partnerships, and technology licensing Monitor competitive landscape and emerging technologies in fiber optics and connectivity Experience 7-10 years in engineering/R D within B2B Industrial technology product segment. Proven track record of bringing successful products to market Experience leading and scaling R D teams Technical & Leadership Skills Ability to operate at both strategic and hands-on levels Strong grasp of modern product development methodologies (stage-gate, agile hardware, etc.) Excellent problem-solving skills with a bias toward practical, executable solutions Business Acumen Demonstrated ability to connect R D efforts to commercial outcomes Experience working cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, and Operations Strong decision-making skills grounded in data, market insight, and ROI Education Bachelor's degree in engineering (Electrical, Materials Science, Mechanical, or related) required Advanced degree (MS/MBA) preferred Key Traits for Success Builder mindset: Focused on delivering real products, not just ideas Pragmatic innovator: Balances creativity with execution and market reality Hands-on leader: Willing to roll up sleeves and engage directly with technical challenges Customer-focused:
Deep understanding of end-use applications and customer pain points Results-driven:
Measures success by product adoption, revenue, and impact
