Director of Research Development

SUMMARY

The role of the Design & Engineering Director will lead the local Design & Engineering team at Jenoptik Optical Systems in Jupiter, FL, and will be responsible for ensuring the optimal availability and development of resources and expertise in optical design, opto-mechanical construction, and metrology development. This role will require collaboration with worldwide development sites to maintain uniform quality of Design & Engineering (D&E) expertise and continuously develop technical competencies and product technologies to meet current and future product requirements.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES (INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO):

• The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of leadership and team management, with a focus on developing and promoting employees to achieve their full potential.
• Provide overall leadership and development of the Design & Engineering area, including alignment with global entities, to ensure optimal team performance and efficiency.
• Lead a team of 4 direct reports and a team of 15-20 indirect reports, with responsibility for personnel development and promotion by expanding flexibility and skills.
• Foster technical cooperation and coordination with Jenoptik's worldwide development organizations to drive business success.
• Ensure optimal availability and utilization of expertise and resources for product development, in coordination with global management.
• Develop and implement product technology advancements through internal and funded development projects with internal and external partners, including selection and coordination of external specialist resources.
• Develop, safeguard, and leverage know-how and intellectual property (IP), and prepare decision templates, functional specifications, and reports on competence building and product technology development.
• Apply and continuously improve established development processes and tools, in close coordination with global entities, to drive development excellence.
• Lead the digital transformation in the D&E landscape, including change management, in cooperation with global entities.

REQUIREMENTS:

• MS and/or PhD degree in optical science or physics, preferred. A doctorate in natural science or engineering is an advantage, and an advanced degree in mechanical engineering/precision engineering may be considered with sufficient experience working in the field of precision optics.
• 10 years professional experience in the development of optical, micro-optical or microsystems products or product technologies
• Long-term personnel responsibility of development departments, ideally in an international business environment with several specialist groups
• Demonstrable knowledge of project management and patent law
• Ideally, international experience in Europe and/or Asia.
• Expertise in the fields of optics, optical design, optoelectronics, microsystems technology and in the design and testing of system solutions
• Methodological competence with strengths in conceptual work, planning and organization, presentation and handling of information
• High social competence as well as willingness to take responsibility and reliability
• Excellent communication skills and customer orientation
• Must possess the following “soft skills”: attention to detail, clear communicator, customer focus, negotiation, prioritization/multitasking, problem-solver/decision-maker, team player.
• Occasional travel, domestic and international (up to 10%).
• US Citizenship or Qualified U.S. Worker, in compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use of hands or fingers to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls and keyboarding; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk and hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.