Sr. Manager, Engineering R&D Sustaining

The position leads the planning and execution of sustaining engineering initiatives, including product maintenance, value engineering, cost reduction programs, material and supplier changes, and design-for-excellence (DFX) projects. The incumbent is responsible for identifying technical and business risks, developing mitigation strategies, and driving successful project execution through collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders across Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and other functional groups.

As a people leader, this role oversees talent development, performance management, succession planning, and organizational capability building to ensure a high-performing engineering organization. The Senior Manager also provides technical oversight and approval of design control deliverables, including Design & Development Plans, Design Verification, Design Validation activities, and technical assessments, ensuring compliance with applicable quality system and regulatory requirements.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage and lead a team of Engineers responsible for maintaining the design of legacy products through the support and execution of product maintenance activities, and strategic and business continuity projects.
• May indirectly manage cross functional or matrix teams as appropriate.
• Identify risk, develop and lead in the implementation of Sustaining R&D strategies within assigned areas of responsibility which may include negotiations with internal and external parties.
• Manage activities with the accountability for successful completion of all deliverables.
• Identify design solutions, develop risk mitigation strategies, resolve issues, etc. in collaboration with cross functional and/or matrix teams.
• Lead moderate product design changes to legacy products to improve design for manufacturability, product cost, product quality, product testing, business continuity purposes (DFX), Value Improvement Projects (Cost Savings and Value Engineering) and Material Projects (Business Continuity).
• Validate like-for-like (functional) design changes.
• Promote the use of the latest technological developments and practices to improve design, quality assurance and delivery time, including playing an important educational role in the use of tools and practices.
• Review and approve Design & Development plans, Design Verification, Design Validations and technical summaries for product design changes following appropriate design controls.
• Develop robust talent development plan in alignment with functional growth strategies of the department.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in related field and related experience in engineering Required, advanced degree Preferred
• Demonstrated track record in management of technical and/or engineering disciplines Required and Experience working in a regulated industry Preferred

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities (KSA's)

• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills including high discretion/judgment in decision making
• Excellent documentation and communication skills and interpersonal relationship skills including negotiating and relationship management skills with ability to drive achievement of objectives
• Proven expertise in data analysis and data management
• Strict attention to detail
• Expert understanding of Sustaining R&D procedures while ensuring essential procedures are followed per quality system requirements
• Strong understanding of related aspects of Sustaining R&D processes and/or systems
• Understanding of annual operating budgets, and financial acumen in assessing productivity and material savings
• Demonstrated ability to manage assigned team and provide coaching and feedback, including responsibility for all employee actions including hire/fire authority and partnering with HR on all aspects of employee relations
• Ability to develop and integrate metrics into the projects and operations that clearly demonstrate the value of Sustaining R&D to the business
• Ability to interact professionally with all organizational levels and proactively escalate issues to appropriate levels of management in the organization
• Ability to work and excel within a fast paced, dynamic, and constantly changing work environment
• Adhere to all company rules and take adequate control measures in preventing injuries to themselves and others
• Proven successful project management leadership skills
• Proven expertise in both Microsoft Office Suite and related systems