Director, Software & Electronics System Integration Operations Leader

Whirlpool • Benton Harbor, MI

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Software & Electronics System (SES) Integration Operations Leader is a transformational leader within Whirlpool Corporation’s Product Organization. The role leads portfolio and project planning, operations, and cross-functional execution to deliver high-quality, cost-competitive product solutions. It drives strategic cost and quality initiatives across appliance categories and leads seamless integration of software and electronics systems into manufactured products, from concept through full-scale production.

The position manages system-level trade-offs, develops business and category partnerships, and builds high-performing engineering talent pipelines. Working across a matrixed organization—including Marketing, Design, Platforms, Software, Hardware, Procurement, Quality, and senior leadership—the leader guides global teams and serves as a technical liaison among project managers, developers, and stakeholders. The position is identified as providing future growth to senior leadership roles.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or an equivalent technical discipline.
• 10+ years of comprehensive product engineering experience spanning hardware and software domains.
• Hands-on experience with embedded product development alongside mobile apps and cloud services.
• Proven experience leading architecture, design, development, and system testing to enforce rigorous standards for quality, cost, safety, reliability, and performance.
• 5+ years of technical program management experience delivering multidisciplinary engineering initiatives.
• 10+ years of experience leading global teams.
• Strong technical acumen and end-to-end product development experience.
• Experience with IoT and connected product platforms.
• Experience working with electronics and components suppliers or external vendors.
• Demonstrated track record of leadership in software and electronics systems.

Nice To Haves

• Excellent communication skills.
• Deep hands-on experience delivering end-to-end products covering system architecture, software, and hardware.
• Experience with service-oriented architecture.
• Experience leveraging AI tools and automated workflows to increase operational velocity and efficiency.
• Proven history of establishing short- and long-term goals and leading teams to deliver results.
• Experience with Agile development and testing.
• Experience managing and building high-performance teams.
• Ability to collaborate with and influence stakeholders on product delivery and transformation.
• Experience with consumer service solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead program and project operations and execution, applying software and electronics systems leadership.
• Deliver high-quality, cost-competitive product solutions that meet stakeholder requirements and consumer expectations.
• Serve as the primary operational interface connecting appliance category teams, component suppliers, and global manufacturing plants.
• Lead integration of software and electronics systems into final manufactured products from concept through production, for new and existing products.
• Manage end-to-end system integration, including tracking, processes, and tools.
• Manage system-level trade-offs within established architecture guardrails, balancing function, form, cost, quality, and delivery schedules.
• Ensure efficient and optimized resource usage, with end-to-end ownership.
• Build a diverse, high-performing engineering organization and maintain a succession pipeline.
• Collaborate with business, marketing, UX, platform category, hardware, and software stakeholders to solve problems and meet business and customer needs.
• Lead global teams and coach and mentor team members.
• Serve as a technical liaison among project managers, developers, and stakeholders.

Benefits

• Whirlpool employee discount.
• Fitness reimbursement programs.
• Educational reimbursement programs.
• Kitchenettes.
• Flexible work arrangements, including autonomy to manage personal and outside-of-work commitments.
• Two weeks of work-from-anywhere time per year, in minimum one-week increments.
• Four weeks of paid sabbatical leave after every five years of service.
• At Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations: recently renovated office space, free coffee, biking and walking trails, and access to The Eddy Early Childhood Center, depending on availability and at additional cost.

What This Job Offers

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