Global New Product Development Director

Barry-Wehmiller

22d

About The Position

The Global New Product Development Director will drive enterprise-wide product innovation and commercialization strategy. This high-impact role orchestrates cross-functional development initiatives across our global engineering organization, managing complex programs from concept to market launch using stage-gate methodologies. This matrixed position provides indirect oversight of 50+ Mechanical, Electrical, and Software Engineers while directly managing Engineering Project Leaders and Program Managers. The successful candidate will translate research breakthroughs into commercially successful products that define the future of industrial automation.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or related); Master's or MBA preferred
12+ years of product development experience in capital equipment or industrial automation
7+ years leading complex, multi-disciplinary engineering programs and teams
Proven track record of successful product launches and commercialization
Deep expertise in stage-gate product development methodologies and gate review processes
Strong understanding of precision mechanical systems, industrial automation, and manufacturing technologies
Experience with embedded systems, PLC programming, vision systems, and smart manufacturing platforms
Knowledge of regulatory compliance and global market standards
Exceptional matrix leadership skills with experience managing 50+ indirect reports across disciplines
Strong program management capabilities for complex, multi-year initiatives
Excellent communication skills with ability to influence senior leadership and stakeholders
Experience building and scaling engineering teams across global locations
Proficiency with PLM systems, project management software, and portfolio management platforms
Strong analytical skills with experience developing business cases and ROI models
Understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain management, and cost optimization
Knowledge of intellectual property strategy and competitive analysis

Responsibilities

Strategic Product Development Leadership Lead enterprise-wide product development strategy and stage-gate processes from Discovery through Launch
Partner with the senior leadership team, Engineering Leadership and the Head of Research to translate breakthrough technologies into viable product concepts
Collaborate with business leaders to prioritize development investments and resource allocation
Develop product development metrics and KPIs to track portfolio performance
Cross-Functional Program Management Provide matrix leadership across 50+ engineers in Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and Software disciplines
Directly manage 6-8 Engineering Project Leaders and Engineers
Facilitate collaboration between engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and product management
Ensure integration of mechanical systems, embedded controls, software platforms, and automation technologies
Product Portfolio & Pipeline Management Manage balanced portfolio of development projects across business units and technology platforms
Lead gate review processes, business case development, and go/no-go decision frameworks
Establish product development standards, processes, and best practices across global teams
Drive continuous improvement in development cycle times and commercial success rates
Technical Integration & Innovation Ensure technical excellence across mechanical design, electrical systems, and software platforms
Lead integration of advanced technologies including AI/ML, IoT, vision systems, and smart automation
Drive platform strategies for controls and connectivity to maximize reuse and scalability
Oversee intellectual property development and ensure regulatory compliance
Team Development & Operational Excellence Build high-performing product development teams across multiple geographies
Implement talent development and succession planning strategies for engineering leaders
Establish global coordination processes to optimize team utilization and project efficiency
Foster culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement