What are the responsibilities and job description for the New Product and Manufacturing Engineering Dir (New company entering OKC) position at Vida Group International?
Position Overview (New company entering Oklahoma City)
We are seeking a dynamic and commercially minded Head of Product Development and Manufacturing Engineering to lead innovation for our client’s B2B Industrial Technology product segment.
This is a hands-on player/coach role for a leader who can balance technical depth with business impact—someone who avoids getting lost in theory and instead drives a modern, market-driven R&D funnel that consistently delivers winning, scalable products.
Key Responsibilities
R&D Strategy & Leadership
- Define and execute the company’s R&D strategy aligned with business goals, market trends, and customer needs
- Build and lead a high-performing R&D team across product development, materials, and process engineering
- Act as a player/coach, actively contributing to key projects while mentoring and developing team members
Product Innovation & Development
- Drive end-to-end product development from concept through commercialization
- Lead innovation in fiber optic cable systems, including design, materials, and performance optimization
- Oversee development of adjacent technologies such as connectors, terminations, and assemblies
- Ensure products meet industry standards (e.g., Telcordia, IEC, ISO) and customer specifications
Modern R&D Funnel Execution
- Implement and manage a structured, stage-gate (or similar) R&D funnel focused on speed, ROI, and success rate
- Prioritize projects based on market opportunity, technical feasibility, and strategic fit
- Establish clear KPIs for innovation effectiveness (time-to-market, hit rate, margin contribution, etc.)
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Operations to translate customer insights into product roadmaps
- Work closely with manufacturing to ensure designs are scalable, cost-effective, and production-ready
- Support key customer engagements, acting as a technical and strategic advisor
Commercial & Business Impact
- Align R&D investments with revenue growth, margin improvement, and market differentiation
- Evaluate build vs. buy opportunities, partnerships, and technology licensing
- Monitor competitive landscape and emerging technologies in fiber optics and connectivity
Experience
- 7-10 years in engineering/R&D within B2B Industrial technology product segment.
- Proven track record of bringing successful products to market
- Experience leading and scaling R&D teams
Technical & Leadership Skills
- Ability to operate at both strategic and hands-on levels
- Strong grasp of modern product development methodologies (stage-gate, agile hardware, etc.)
- Excellent problem-solving skills with a bias toward practical, executable solutions
Business Acumen
- Demonstrated ability to connect R&D efforts to commercial outcomes
- Experience working cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, and Operations
- Strong decision-making skills grounded in data, market insight, and ROI
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical, Materials Science, Mechanical, or related) required
- Advanced degree (MS/MBA) preferred
Key Traits for Success
- Builder mindset: Focused on delivering real products, not just ideas
- Pragmatic innovator: Balances creativity with execution and market reality
- Hands-on leader: Willing to roll up sleeves and engage directly with technical challenges
- Customer-focused: Deep understanding of end-use applications and customer pain points
- Results-driven: Measures success by product adoption, revenue, and impact