Director of Product and Process Engineering Development
Our client in Long Beach, CA is seeking an experienced Director of Product and Process Engineering Development to lead product design, process development, and engineering innovation. This role is responsible for developing advanced products, materials, and manufacturing processes that meet or exceed customer and industry expectations while supporting new business growth.
The Director will lead a team of engineers and collaborate closely with Business Development, Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Program Management, and New Product Introduction (NPI) to drive innovation, improve manufacturability, and support the successful transition of new products into production.
Responsibilities
· Lead the development of innovative products, materials, and manufacturing processes to support customer requirements, new business opportunities, and organizational growth.
· Drive the creation and development of intellectual property, including trade secrets and patents, related to new products, materials, and processes.
· Serve as a subject matter expert in product and process technology, sharing technical knowledge and best practices across the organization.
· Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing environment.
· Oversee day-to-day engineering activities, including product and tooling design, fixture
development, process improvements, and structured problem-solving.
· Partner with Business Development to support new business opportunities, first-time bookings, and technical customer engagements.
· Lead the preparation and review of Critical Design Reviews (CDRs) for advanced rubber and silicone products used in aerospace, defense, space, and energy applications.
·Mentor engineers in developing technical documentation, engineering analyses, and customer design presentations.
· Analyze engineering data and technical findings to provide sound recommendations an support data-driven decision-making.
· Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to evaluate production processes, improve manufacturability, and identify cost-reduction opportunities.
·Collaborate with NPI teams to ensure new products, processes, and tooling are production- ready and successfully transitioned from development to full-scale manufacturing.
· Lead tooling and process design initiatives, including improvements to rubber molding, vulcanization, and deflashing processes.
· Ensure timely completion of technical customer meeting reports and related documentation in Edge.
Qualifications
· Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred.
· Minimum of 15 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, product design, or engineering, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
· Minimum of 5 years of experience in aerospace rubber molding, including molding tool design and improvements to vulcanization, deflashing, and trimming processes.