Product Category Director

Fieldpiece Instruments • Orange, CA

2d • $150,000 - $250,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Lead New Product Development from Concept to Launch We’re looking for a hands-on innovator — an entrepreneur with an engineering background that turns unmet customer needs into breakthrough products. Own your product line and build what doesn’t exist yet. Fieldpiece is a thriving team of innovators - committed to pushing boundaries and celebrating curiosity. We’ve been providing HVACR professionals with rugged, feature-rich tools like meters, manifolds, leak detectors, and more since 1990. Fieldpiece leads the industry in the way we think, work, collaborate, and remain laser-focused on creating products that empower HVACR professionals – today and tomorrow. If you thrive in an environment where challenges are embraced, ambiguity fuels innovation, and relationships are built on trust and transparency—this is your opportunity. Recognized as one of Southern California’s Best Places to Work (2023, 2024 & 2025), we provide a Hire-to-Retire philosophy, hybrid schedule, and a culture of curiosity – a place where you’ll have the support to innovate boldly, grow continuously, and make a tangible impact on an industry that powers everyday life. In this role, you'll lead a matrixed team of engineers, product managers and project managers as well as outside suppliers from idea to launch for our gas sensing product line. You're.... A mechanical engineer at heart who evolved into product development and innovation leader. You thrive on solving problems no one has solved before — and you know how to turn customer and market insights into tangible, manufacturable products. You’ve led the full product lifecycle: concept → design → validation → launch. You naturally connect technology to customer need and enjoy the creative tension between engineering precision and market opportunity. You bring a mix of corporate discipline and start-up enthusiasm — structured but not rigid. You’re curious, resourceful, and able to effectively communicate with anyone – you make complex ideas easy to understand and build.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field; MBA a plus.
• 10+ years in engineering, product development, or product management roles.
• Proven experience developing complete, tangible, complex products.
• Demonstrated success using Voice of Customer insights to create innovative, high-value products.
• Strong technical fluency — able to engage engineers, suppliers, and customers with credibility.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing at all levels.
• Willing to travel (up to 30%) for customer and ODM engagement.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in HVACR, tools, or instruments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end product innovation — from opportunity identification and concept creation to global market launch and lifecycle refreshes.
• Be the customer advocate — get out in the field, translate unmet needs into product requirements, and turn insights into high-demand solutions.
• Drive technology strategy — identify, validate, and integrate the right technologies that deliver real, differentiated value.
• Prototype, test, iterate — own early concept validation and ensure every new product hits the mark before scaling.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, design, marketing, and ODM partners to deliver exceptional, intuitive, industry-leading products.
• Think like an entrepreneur — balance technical possibilities, market impact, and business viability to drive category growth.

Benefits

• Matching 401k up to 4% with immediate vesting.
• Excellent medical benefits including an HSA plan and monthly contributions.
• Supplemental Term Life, Employee Assistance Programs (EAD), Disability, and more.
• Hire to Retire philosophy that includes personal career development plans.
• Onsite music program with lessons from guitar, piano and voice coaches.

What This Job Offers

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