New Product Engineering Director (R&D)

Position Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and commercially minded Head of Research & Development to lead innovation for our client’s wire and cable product portfolio, with a strong emphasis on fiber optic technologies and adjacent components (e.g., connectors, assemblies, and interconnect solutions).

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

• 10–15 years in engineering/R&D within wire & cable, fiber optics, or closely related industries
• Strong experience in fiber optic cable design, manufacturing, or adjacent technologies (connectors, assemblies, interconnects)
• Proven track record of bringing successful products to market
• Experience leading and scaling R&D teams

Technical & Leadership Skills

• Deep understanding of fiber optic systems, materials, and performance characteristics
• 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