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Director New Product Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sunshine Avionics LLC, located in Miramar, Florida, is a leading provider of the highest quality MRO and manufacturing services for advanced avionic component repairs, and is also aHEICO ...

Director, Product Development

Chesterfield, MO · On-site +1

$115.59K - $140.41K/yr

... develop new products and services. Your responsibilities include setting goals, establishing ... The Director, Product Development role is based in Protective's Chesterfield, Missouri office and ...

$98.87K - $128.58K/yr

Project Manager, New Product Development The Project Manager is responsible for the overall scope, schedule, cost management, risk management, and communication activities for the assigned ...

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Director New Product Development information

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$73K

$163.7K

$244.5K

How much do director new product development jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for director new product development in the United States is $163,684.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $131,500.00 and $185,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of New Product Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of New Product Development, you need a strong background in product lifecycle management, market analysis, and strategic planning, often supported by a degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools (like Jira or Asana), design thinking methodologies, and certifications such as PMP or Agile are typically valuable. Exceptional leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and creative problem-solving skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are crucial to successfully drive innovation, align teams, and deliver products that meet market needs and business goals.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of New Product Development and how can they be addressed?

A Director of New Product Development often navigates challenges such as balancing innovation with feasibility, aligning cross-functional teams, and managing tight timelines. Successfully addressing these issues typically involves fostering open communication among departments, implementing agile project management methodologies, and establishing clear product development milestones. Staying attuned to market feedback and being adaptable to change are also key strategies for overcoming obstacles and ensuring successful product launches.

What does a Director of New Product Development do?

A Director of New Product Development oversees the entire process of creating and launching new products within a company. This role involves leading cross-functional teams, conducting market research, managing budgets, and ensuring products meet customer needs and business goals. The director coordinates activities from idea generation through design, testing, and final launch, while also aligning the product strategy with the company’s overall objectives. This position requires strong leadership, project management skills, and the ability to drive innovation.

What is the difference between Director New Product Development vs Product Manager?

AspectDirector New Product DevelopmentProduct Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire product development strategies, manages teams, and aligns product innovation with company goals.Focuses on product lifecycle, defines features, and works closely with development teams to deliver products.
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master’s in Business, Engineering, or related fields; extensive experience in product development.Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related fields; experience in product management.
Work EnvironmentStrategic, leadership-focused, often in cross-functional teams within corporate settings.Collaborative, detail-oriented, working closely with engineering, marketing, and sales teams.

The main difference between a Director New Product Development and a Product Manager lies in scope and leadership. The Director leads the overall product development strategy and manages teams, while the Product Manager focuses on specific product features and lifecycle management. Both roles require relevant experience, but the director's role is more strategic and managerial.

More about Director New Product Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Director New Product Development jobs? Cities with the most Director New Product Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of New Product Development jobs? The most popular types of New Product Development jobs are:
What states have the most Director New Product Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Director New Product Development jobs include:
Infographic showing various Director New Product Development job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $163,684 per year, or $78.7 per hour.
Senior Project Engineer-New Product Development

Senior Project Engineer-New Product Development

Johnson Health Tech North America Inc

Cottage Grove, WI

Other

Posted 15 days ago


Johnson Health Tech rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

120th of 415 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

Description


Lead the Development of Next-Generation Fitness Products

Johnson Health Tech is seeking an experienced Senior Project Engineer to help drive the development of innovative fitness equipment from concept through production. In this highly visible role, you'll lead cross-functional global teams, solve complex engineering challenges, and play a critical role in delivering high-quality consumer products to market.


As a technical leader within our New Product Development (NPD) organization, you'll serve as the primary engineering liaison between Product Marketing, Factory Engineering, and Manufacturing teams. This role combines project leadership, product development, engineering analysis, and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced global environment.


If you enjoy leading teams, influencing product direction, and bringing innovative ideas to life, we'd love to hear from you.


What You'll Do:

Lead Cross-Functional Engineering Teams:

Lead global, cross-functional project teams to achieve product design, quality, cost, and schedule objectives

Serve as the primary technical lead throughout the product development lifecycle

Translate customer and market requirements into engineering product specifications and development plans

Coordinate communication between North America-based marketing teams and Asia-based engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams

Mentor engineers and designers while promoting collaboration, innovation, and engineering best practices


Drive New Product Development:

Independently manage multiple projects through the full New Product Development (NPD) process

Facilitate technical design reviews, engineering discussions, and project meetings to maintain alignment and momentum

Lead engineering problem-solving efforts related to product performance, manufacturability, and quality

Support overall product architecture and engineering design while collaborating with factory engineering teams on detailed CAD execution

Drive continuous improvement, value engineering, and design-for-manufacturability initiatives

Develop and execute product validation plans including strength, fatigue, and functional testing

Participate in DFMEA activities to ensure robust and reliable product designs


Support Production Launch & Manufacturing:

Support the transition of products into mass production

Review product samples, quality metrics, and inspection data to identify improvement opportunities

Troubleshoot manufacturing and product issues during production ramp-up

Develop functional requirements and engineering test plans

Collaborate closely with factory teams to optimize manufacturing efficiency, quality, and cost

Requirements


Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

6+ years of mechanical design, product development, or project engineering experience

Proven experience leading technical projects or cross-functional engineering initiatives

Strong understanding of mechanical systems, manufacturing processes, and product development

Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced development environment


Preferred Experience:

Consumer product development experience

Experience with manufacturing processes including:

        o Plastic injection molding

        o Sheet metal fabrication

        o Tube forming

        o Casting

        o Machining

        o Welding and joining

Experience with DFMEA, validation testing, and product launch support

Experience working with global engineering and manufacturing teams


Why Join Johnson Health Tech?

Lead the development of innovative products used worldwide

Work with global engineering, manufacturing, and product teams

Influence products from concept through production launch

Opportunity to mentor and develop engineering talent

Collaborative, fast-paced environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement

International travel opportunities (approximately 2-4 trips annually)




Join a team where engineering innovation, collaboration, and product excellence drive everything we do
  Equal Opportunity Employer, including Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.