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