Director, Hardware Engineering & Product Management

OPW Vehicle Washing Solutions • De Pere, WI

7d • Onsite

About The Position

OPW Vehicle Wash Solutions (A Dover Company) is a leading provider of vehicle wash technologies, integrating industry leaders to offer a comprehensive portfolio. The Director, Hardware Engineering, is a crucial leadership role within the Vehicle Wash Solutions (VWS) team, responsible for defining and executing the strategic roadmap and lifecycle management of their equipment and hardware product portfolio for Tunnel and In-Bay Automatic (IBA) products. This role will lead a diverse team of engineers to develop innovative, reliable, and cost-effective solutions that enhance VWS's market position and drive growth. The Director will collaborate with Commercial, Software, Operations, and Supply Chain leaders to advance hardware design standards, modular architecture, and value engineering for improved manufacturability, scalability, and quality. Additionally, this leader will focus on talent development and fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration aligned with Dover's values. The position is key to developing the next generation of integrated wash systems combining equipment, chemistry, and connected technologies for superior customer outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, related technical discipline required
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in engineering, or related leadership roles within an industrial, equipment, or technology-driven manufacturing environment
• At least 8 years in senior leadership positions managing cross-functional or multi-site teams
• Proven track record of driving profitable growth through product strategy, portfolio optimization, and new product introduction within a complex, global organization
• Demonstrated success integrating engineering functions to deliver market-leading solutions, shorten development cycles, and strengthen customer value propositions
• Strong technical understanding of mechanical, electrical, and control systems used in automated equipment manufacturing, with the ability to bridge commercial strategy and engineering execution
• Experience leading product design and development from concept through commercialization, including value engineering, supplier collaboration, and lifecycle cost management
• Exceptional leadership and team development skills, with a demonstrated ability to inspire, coach, and grow talent across product management and engineering disciplines
• Strong business acumen, analytical capability, and financial literacy; able to translate market opportunities and operational data into actionable strategy and measurable results
• Collaborative, results-oriented, and hands-on leadership style, adept at influencing cross-functional partners and driving alignment in a matrixed organization

Nice To Haves

• MBA or advanced degree preferred
• Experience within capital equipment, industrial automation, or connected systems industries preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead the integrated Engineering functions, ensuring alignment between market requirements, product strategy, and engineering execution across all equipment platforms.
• Execute the long-term product roadmap that balances innovation, cost competitiveness, and operational efficiency while advancing modular design, common component strategies, and standardization across the portfolio.
• Drive portfolio governance and lifecycle management, including new product introductions, value engineering, cost reduction, and end-of-life strategies to optimize financial performance and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Commercial, Software, Operations, Supply Chain, and Service leaders to translate customer insights and business objectives into product and engineering priorities that deliver measurable business impact.
• Champion product quality, reliability, and manufacturability, ensuring engineering solutions meet performance standards, regulatory requirements, and Dover operational excellence principles.
• Build and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement; attract, retain, and develop talent within both product management and engineering disciplines.
• Lead and oversee development and investment into our product management capability and capacity in terms of people, processes, and tools aligned to the Company's objectives.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the VWS leadership team, contributing to overall business direction, investment prioritization, and technology strategy, with an emphasis on integrated wash system solutions that combine equipment, chemistry, and connected controls.
• Represent the voice of the customer and market in product and technology decisions, leveraging market research, VOC insights, and competitive intelligence to guide development priorities and ensure commercial differentiation.

Benefits

• health, dental, vision, disability & life insurance
• Paid time off
• paid holidays
• on-site Cafeteria
• Employee Fitness Center
• a 401(k) savings plan with employer contributions
• wellness programs
• health savings account
• health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• company paid short-term disability and long-term disability
• company paid employee basic life and AD&D insurance
• supplemental employee and dependent life insurance
• optional accident, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance
• adoption, surrogacy, and fertility benefits and assistance
• commuter benefits
• parental, military, jury duty, and bereavement leaves of absence
• paid vacation days
• paid sick days
• business travel services
• employee discounts
• an employee assistance program that includes company paid counseling sessions and legal services

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director