Director - Engineering - HVAC/R, Research and Development - CES Group - Eden Prairie

Job description
Position: Director of Engineering (HVAC/R R&D)

Job Description:

The Director of Engineering will be responsible for ensuring that Mammoth Venmar has the R&D capabilities, engineering standards, process, metrics and strategy in place to achieve its high growth objectives. To accomplish this, the Director of Engineering will be expected to work with the CES VP of Engineering to develop a multi-year technology roadmap that delivers a sustained flow of new and differentiated technology platforms that will provide Mammoth Venmar and the greater CES Group with a strategic advantage in the marketplace. In leading Mammoth Venmar’s Engineering efforts, the Director of Engineering will develop and facilitate effective innovation processes that deliver a balanced portfolio with short, medium, and long-term payback. Fundamental to success of these objectives is establishing an effective, collaborative relationship with the division general manager and the Mammoth Venmar engineering personnel while fostering an environment that encourages and embraces new levels of innovation throughout the enterprise.

The Director of Engineering for Mammoth Venmar will also serve as the Engineering Leader of the Refrigeration Center of Excellence for the CES Group, leading multiple projects across brand & product lines at CES to achieve engineering excellence in refrigeration design (indoor & outdoor applications involving compressors, heat exchangers, refrigerant management, interconnecting piping & electrical support systems, and mechanical and thermal performance).

This role will collaborate closely with the Vice President of Engineering and will use strategic thought and technical leadership to drive high quality, and low cost product innovation.

We are looking for a high-quality individual to fill this position at our Eden Prairie, Minnesota location.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Specific Responsibilities:

Collaborate with Directors of Product Management to develop multi-generation product roadmaps and strategy.

Create winning Innovation, Cost and Quality roadmaps as well as overall product architecture in the area of mechanical structures.

Execute the Innovation, Cost and Quality roadmaps by presenting and securing the overall organizational alignment for mechanical structures roadmaps.

Create a technical vision for the company brands and plans for implementation of technical projects or product lines.

Demonstrate thought leadership and a passion for identifying and pursuing new ideas and effectively presenting the business case for those ideas with the payback to the enterprise clearly enumerated.

Establish engineering standards and processes to achieve best in class performance within the CES businesses. Develop a scorecard to measure success.

Oversee the deployment, and disciplined use of Design for Six Sigma and Design for Manufacturing to ensure timely and cost effective product development and introduction.

Ensures that all products meet appropriate national and international codes and standards. Oversee product certification processes.

Identify, in conjunction with marketing and engineering management, competitiveness of new technologies and promising areas of research or technology that address unmet needs and have large potential markets.

Track industry trends, relevant legislation, and competitor activities. Bring new ideas and approaches to CES through external benchmarking with other organizations.

Facilitate collaboration and dispersion across all facilities.

Directly and/or indirectly, plan and formulate aspects of research and development proposals such as objective or purpose of project, applications that can be utilized from findings, costs of project, and equipment and human resource requirements.

Review and analyze proposals submitted to determine if benefits derived and possible applications justify expenditures.

Implement and directly or indirectly manage CES Group’s New Product Development and New Technology Development processes and key strategic projects within the NPD/NTD pipeline.

Communicate to senior management an overview of all products under development, and their stage of development.

Develop and implement methods and procedures for monitoring projects, such as preparation of records of expenditures and research findings, progress reports, and staff conferences, in order to inform management of current status of each project.

Develop processes and procedures to establish and clearly communicate enterprise and divisional R&D priorities.

Oversee the IP (patent) Development process for Mammoth Venmar and for Refrigeration-based ideas.

Directly manage the laboratory in Shakopee, MN.

Directly involved on strategy projects in the design, prototype build and testing of new products or systems.

Lead or facilitate peer reviews and analysis of test data and reports to determine if design meets functional and performance specifications.

Write, review or help create technical white papers in support of product and system promotion.

Create technical budgets, allocate resources, and determine schedule of product releases or project deadlines.

Plan and direct investigations and negotiations pertaining to technical aspects of mergers, joint ventures, acquisition of businesses, or sales of major assets, with approval of senior management.

Represent organization with major customers, shareholders, and the public.

Negotiate collaborations with academia, government, and corporations.

Negotiate contracts with consulting firms to perform research studies.

Participate in complementary and/or important industry associations, such as ASHRAE and AHRI.

Travel approximately 25 - 40%.

Qualifications:

EXPERIENCE / SKILLS REQUIRED:

The fully qualified candidate will have a demonstrated track record of leadership and accomplishment. A minimum of fifteen years of related business experience, including five or more years as R&D leader in a manufacturing company is desired. He or she will ideally have a proficient understanding of best-in-class combustion, refrigeration, heat transfer, controls and sound technologies. Experience with patents and the patent application process as well as being a licensed Professional Engineer is preferred. Strong business acumen and the ability to translate new technology platforms into viable business solutions are required. The Director of Engineering will have significant experience in developing and implementing a technology strategy as an integral part of the organizational strategy. Previous experience in leveraging continuous improvement processes, such as Lean or Six Sigma is preferred.

The position requires an executive who is a consummate professional and proven leader. He or she will display interpersonal and communication skills indicative of the ability to articulate ideas and influence people. The Director of Engineering will have strong analytical skills, including the ability to understand key business levers and customer needs, and to create strategies that solve business issues. The ability to coordinate and focus a matrixed team, develop and execute plans, and delight key internal customers will be essential. The Director of Engineering will perpetuate and improve a corporate culture that has fostered excellent employee satisfaction, innovation, teamwork, quality, process improvement, and customer satisfaction.

The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker. He or she must effectively translate plans into operational objectives, and achieve objectives through a team and cross-organizationally. The ability to communicate, delegate and enact change and inspire others internally and externally is pivotal to success. The individual should have the personal qualities of integrity, teamwork, passion, excitement, energy and a sense of humor.

EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or other related area. Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Engineering or other related area preferred.

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