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Director Open Innovation Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

Hearst

Assistant News Director

Birmingham, AL · On-site

... open communication, ensuring that the content we create is authentic, accurate, and connected to ... industry innovation, and community service. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. we do not ...

Tanger

Operations Director - Foley

Foley, AL · On-site

... open-air centers. We live our values every day: we lead with integrity, foster inclusion, and ... And our spirit of innovation, expertise, and relentless pursuit of excellence brings us together.

Tanger

Operations Director - Foley

Foley, AL · On-site

... open-air centers. We live our values every day: we lead with integrity, foster inclusion, and ... And our spirit of innovation, expertise, and relentless pursuit of excellence brings us together.

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsOpen Innovation JobsDirector Open Innovation JobsDirector Open Innovation Jobs in Alabama

Director Open Innovation information

See Alabama salary details

$17.8K

$93.4K

$157.3K

How much do director open innovation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for director open innovation in Alabama is $93,434.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,513.00 and $142,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Director Open Innovation vs Innovation Manager?

AspectDirector Open InnovationInnovation Manager
CredentialsBachelor's or Master’s in Business, Engineering, or related fields; often requires experience in innovation or R&DBachelor's or Master’s in similar fields; focus on project management and innovation processes
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, executive-level interactionsProject execution, team coordination, supporting innovation initiatives
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large corporations, tech firms, and R&D departmentsCommon in corporate innovation teams, startups, and product development units

The main difference is that the Director Open Innovation focuses on strategic leadership and high-level innovation initiatives, while the Innovation Manager handles day-to-day project execution and supports innovation processes. Both roles require relevant credentials and are integral to fostering innovation within organizations, but they differ in scope and seniority.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of open innovation?

To thrive as a Director of Open Innovation, you need a strong background in innovation management, cross-industry collaboration, and strategic leadership, often supported by an advanced degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with open innovation platforms, intellectual property management systems, and experience with tools for partnership management are typically required. Outstanding relationship-building, negotiation, and change management skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are essential to successfully drive external collaborations, accelerate innovation pipelines, and deliver business value through strategic partnerships.

What is a director of open innovation?

A Director of Open Innovation is a senior leader responsible for driving innovation by fostering collaboration between an organization and external partners, such as startups, universities, and research institutions. They create and manage programs that encourage the exchange of ideas, technology, and knowledge to accelerate product development and solve complex business challenges. This role involves identifying strategic partnerships, overseeing innovation projects, and ensuring alignment with the company's goals. The Director of Open Innovation plays a key part in building an innovative culture and expanding the organization's capabilities beyond its internal resources.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of open innovation when integrating external partnerships into existing company structures?

A Director of Open Innovation often encounters challenges such as aligning external partners' goals with internal business objectives, managing intellectual property concerns, and ensuring smooth communication across different organizational cultures. Successfully integrating new ideas or technologies can require navigating resistance to change within the company and establishing clear processes for collaboration and knowledge sharing. Building trust, setting transparent expectations, and fostering strong internal advocacy are key strategies for overcoming these challenges and maximizing the value of external collaborations.
What are popular job titles related to Director Open Innovation jobs in Alabama? For Director Open Innovation jobs in Alabama, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Open Innovation jobs in Alabama look for? The top searched job categories for Director Open Innovation jobs in Alabama are:
What cities in Alabama are hiring for Director Open Innovation jobs? Cities in Alabama with the most Director Open Innovation job openings:
Director Open Innovation jobs near you

Sr. Director, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (CoE)

Neptune

Tallassee, AL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 19 hours ago

Job description

Position Summary
The Senior Director, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Center of Excellence (CoE) provides strategic and operational leadership for the company's most critical manufacturing technology programs. This Director is accountable for establishing and scaling a world-class CoE that drives competitive advantage through industrial automation, next-generation test engineering, advanced materials evaluation, and novel process development including New Product Introductions. The role bridges applied research, engineering execution, and cross-functional collaboration to translate emerging technologies into repeatable, high-yield manufacturing capabilities. The ideal candidate takes full ownership of outcomes, leads with genuine humility, and brings a passion for solving hard problems to every initiative they champion.
Travel expectation: Up to 30% domestic and international.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & CoE Development
  • Define the multi-year vision, roadmap, and operating model for the Advanced Manufacturing CoE, aligning priorities to corporate growth and technology strategy.
  • Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing team of engineers, scientists, and program managers across automation, test, materials, and process disciplines; roll up your sleeves alongside the team, modeling the mutual respect and genuine investment in others that defines Neptune's culture.
  • Establish CoE governance, stage-gate frameworks, and portfolio review cadences to ensure disciplined prioritization of resources and investment.
  • Partner with senior leadership, RDO, Product, R&D, Supply Chain, and Quality to translate strategic objectives into executable engineering programs, bringing individual expertise together toward shared outcomes.
  • Represent the CoE with customers, suppliers, academic partners, and regulatory bodies; champion external collaboration and open-innovation initiatives.

Industrial Automation
  • Lead the identification, development, and deployment of automation technologies - including robotics, collaborative robots (cobots), machine vision, and AI-driven control systems - to improve throughput, quality, and safety.
  • Develop automation standards and design-for-automation guidelines applied across all manufacturing platforms and new product introductions.
  • Drive ROI-based business cases for capital investment in automation infrastructure; oversee project delivery from concept through production readiness.
  • Build partnerships with automation OEMs, system integrators, and technology startups to maintain access to leading-edge capabilities.
  • Establish centers of competency for programmable automation controllers (PLCs/DCS), industrial communication protocols, and cybersecurity for operational technology (OT) systems.

Next-Generation Test Engineering
  • Architect the long-range test strategy covering functional test, end-of-line validation, in-process inspection, and reliability / accelerated life testing.
  • Drive adoption of advanced test methodologies including digital-twin-based test validation, AI-assisted anomaly detection, and automated data analytics for yield improvement.
  • Oversee development of proprietary test equipment, fixtures, and software platforms that support product launches and protect IP.
  • Establish test coverage metrics, escape rates, and continuous-improvement programs to elevate first-pass yield and reduce cost of quality.
  • Collaborate with Product Engineering and Quality Assurance to integrate design-for-testability (DFT) requirements early in the product development cycle.

New Material Evaluation & Introduction
  • Lead structured evaluation programs for candidate materials - including advanced polymers, composites, coatings, and metals - assessing performance, manufacturability, cost, and regulatory compliance.
  • Partner with suppliers, material scientists, and R&D to develop a pipeline of next-generation materials that enable product differentiation or cost reduction.
  • Establish robust material qualification protocols aligned with industry standards (ASTM, MIL-SPEC, IATF 16949, ISO, AS9100, etc.) and internal engineering standards.
  • Maintain a materials database and knowledge repository supporting design engineering, sourcing, and regulatory/sustainability requirements.
  • Monitor emerging material technologies - nanomaterials, bio-based polymers, sustainable alternatives - and assess applicability to the company's product roadmap.

Process Development & Optimization
  • Direct the development, scale-up, and transfer of novel manufacturing processes from prototype through high-volume production.
  • Apply statistical methodologies (DOE, Six Sigma, SPC) to characterize process windows, establish control plans, and drive defect reduction.
  • Champion digital manufacturing initiatives including Industry 4.0 integration, MES connectivity, real-time process monitoring, and data-driven process optimization; approach each challenge with curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning.
  • Lead process FMEA activities and ensure robust process control documentation (PFDs, control plans, work instructions) is maintained and continuously improved.
  • Oversee technology transfer to operations teams, ensuring manufacturing readiness reviews (MRRs) are completed with documented evidence of process stability.

Financial & Operational Accountability
  • Develop and manage the CoE capital and operating budget; track and report KPIs covering innovation pipeline health, program delivery, quality impact, and cost savings, taking personal accountability for results and always doing what's right for the business.
  • Identify and capture cost-reduction and efficiency opportunities through technology deployment; quantify and present business cases to senior leadership.
  • Ensure compliance with EHS regulations, product safety standards, and export control requirements across all CoE activities.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline; Master's degree strongly preferred.
  • 15+ years of progressive engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, including 7+ years in senior leadership roles.
  • Demonstrated success building or transforming a Center of Excellence, advanced engineering group, or manufacturing technology organization.
  • Proven expertise in at least two of the four CoE pillars: automation, test engineering, materials, or process development.
  • Track record of delivering complex capital programs and technology introductions on time and within budget.
  • Proficiency with modern product-development processes (APQP, PPAP, Design Reviews) and quality management systems (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100).
  • Strong financial acumen; experience developing investment business cases and managing multi-million-dollar budgets.
  • Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder-management skills; ability to influence without authority across business units and bring diverse perspectives together to win as one team.

Our Values
At Neptune Technology Group, our values guide how we work, lead, and grow together. The Sr. Director of Advanced Manufacturing, CoE will be expected to embody and champion these values every day:
  • Own It - We are accountable to ourselves and each other. We deliver results and always do what's right.
  • Be Humble - We roll up our sleeves. We value mutual respect in all our interactions. We are genuine, putting others first.
  • Be a Passionate Solver - We take pride in solving problems. We are adaptable and continuously learning.
  • Win Together - We achieve more when individual perspectives come together.

Leadership Competencies
Visionary Thinking
Translates macro technology trends into differentiated, actionable CoE strategies.
Talent Development
Builds bench strength; fosters a culture of curiosity, inclusion, and continuous learning.
Execution Excellence
Delivers complex, multi-discipline programs with rigor, urgency, and a bias for results.
Cross-Functional Influence
Aligns diverse stakeholders; communicates technical concepts clearly to executive audiences.
Innovation Culture
Champions calculated risk-taking; creates psychological safety for experimentation and fast learning.
Data-Driven Judgment
Makes decisions grounded in quantitative analysis, structured risk assessment, and operational insight.
Neptune Technology Group Inc. does not sponsor U.S. work authorizations for this position, including H-1B, O-1, and TN. Neptune also does not sponsor individuals in F-1 status for this role.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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