Lean Engineering Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Senior Director of Global New Product Development

The Senior Director of Global New Product Development (NPD) leads G&W's global NPD engineering organization, owning technical product development end-to-end — from concept through launch and post-launch monitoring. Reporting to the VP of Engineering, this role sets the technical strategy for the global NPD engineering team, partners closely with Project Management, Marketing, Global Product Line Managers (GPLMs), and Supply Chain and Manufacturing. This person is a key driver of G&W's innovative product pipeline in the electric grid space. This is a highly visible role with direct influence over the products that shape the future of grid resiliency and modernization

As a Senior Director of New Product Development you will:

• Provide strategic direction for the NPD department and linkage to business strategy
  • Set the strategic direction for the NPD organization, translating business strategy into departmental goals and short- and long-term plans
  • Own the global NPD strategic plan and budget, with input from the Director of Project Management (NPD) and the GPLMs.
  • Benchmark industry best practices and drive continuous improvement of NPD processes, tools, and methods.
  • Evaluate and advance new technology, materials, simulation capability, and systems that result in new products and patents.
  • Build rapid-prototyping capability for radical innovation, partnering with the Innovation team, to move ideas from concept to product faster.
  • Partner with Marketing/GPLMs to build and maintain product development roadmaps.
  • Own capital allocation and make-vs-buy decisions for infrastructure affecting NPD, including facility investment, across the global engineering network described above.
• Technical Leadership
  • Provide hands-on technical guidance to managers and engineers, continuously raising the bar on development quality
  • Own the accuracy and quality of department deliverables — BOMs, documentation, and standards — that meet marketing specifications and support manufacturing, installation, and field operation.
  • Support Sales and Marketing throughout development and go-to-market phases of G&W's product portfolio.
  • Review and approve development and test plans for new products and product modifications.
  • Develop and execute the roadmap to increase upfront simulation capabilities to shorten development timelines and improve design confidence and product quality.
• Global Team Leadership
  • Lead G&W's global product development engineering network, including projects executed at BBK that support satellite facilities; Engineering Managers at satellite facilities have dotted-line accountability to this role.
  • Allocate resources against product roadmaps and business objectives to support revenue growth.
  • Manage key supplier and partner relationships to execute approved projects and support commercialization.
  • Own NPD for materials and global engineering, including the team based in Italy, continuously improving methods and processes across the molding and materials function.
  • Attract, recruit, and develop top engineering talent across all NPD sub-teams.
  • Set performance objectives, coach day-to-day, and lead annual performance reviews for the team.
  • Develop staff to execute project work, drive innovation and to continue to improve in design, analysis and testing methods and quality of designs

We are looking for someone with:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Mechanical or Electrical
• 12+ years of engineering experience in a product development environment, including 5 years of management (people leadership) experience managing managers required.
• Expertise in electrical/electromechanical design, power electronics, and systems integration.
• Proven track record leading global NPD teams through complex, highly technical development projects while growing team skills and capability.
• Strong program execution skills — sound planning, resource alignment, stakeholder engagement, and persistent follow-through to results.
• Ability to interpret technical standards and communicate technical issues and their impact clearly to direct reports and other stakeholders.
• Comfortable managing shifting priorities across multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organization, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in DFSS and Lean tools (DOE, Capability & Control, FMEA, MSE, DFM, etc.).
• Experience with ECNs, BOMs, and documentation/PLM systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing/production processes, materials, and material mechanics.
• Ability to travel within and outside the USA.

Ideally you will have:

• Experience leading multiple teams across global locations.
• Power industry experience, including medium/high-voltage switchgear and circuit breakers.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Lean Engineering background.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technology and market trends into technology and product roadmaps.

The Leadership Classification of the role is:

• Manager: Responsible for hire/fire decisions; performance appraisals; employee training and development; handles disciplinary problems. This job will be evaluated on these decisions.
• Management+: Responsible for more than one significant sub-function/ area, each with supervisors/managers who have hire/fire authority.

The Physical Demands / Working Conditions are:

• General Office Environment, PC use
• Light Lifting (occasional 25 lbs or less)

What we offer you:

Typical pay is $131,918 – 178,957 annually.

Please note the pay information shown above is a general guideline. Pay is based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications.

This position is eligible for participation in our Quarterly Incentive Pay Program

G&W Electric offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Health club membership program and reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 401 (k)
• Annual Profit Sharing
• Vacation
• Air-conditioned/heated state-of-the-art manufacturing facility

About G&W Electric

Innovating since 1905, G&W Electric has grown into a global leader in engineered electrical power grid solutions. Working with us means joining a worldwide team of passionate manufacturing professionals striving to continually improve the technologies the world depends on to deliver safe, reliable electricity. Our culture is focused on employee success, so we foster an entrepreneurial environment that encourages everyone to thrive.

Learn more about our company by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMtAhsdYeUQ

G&W Electric enjoys a long reputation for product quality, innovation and world-class customer service to the power industry. We have established this reputation by believing that our greatest asset is our employees. We owe our success to the initiative and talents of highly skilled individuals within our team-based organization. Our goal is to set the standard for customer satisfaction by ensuring a superior level of service, performance and innovation. As a global organization and industry leader, we are committed to cultivating an engaging work environment that embraces our core values and develops our talent. Our continuous focus on growth and innovation means that you become part of a company that provides challenging opportunities, rewards excellence and combines your individual expertise to achieve a higher level of shared success. As part of our organization, you also help power the world!

G&W Electric is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employees and applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. G&W Electric participates in the E-Verify process for all new hires.

*G&W Electric participates in the E-Verify process for all new hires.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor