Director of New Product Development

Confidential

Director of New Product Development
Northern Nevada

About the Role

A growing lighting manufacturer is hiring a Director of New Product Development to build and run the engineering function behind our LED luminaire product line. This is a department-head role: you will manage a team of engineers and designers, own the full product development lifecycle from concept through production release, and be accountable for the technical decisions that determine how well our products perform, how efficiently they can be built, and how profitably they scale.

We are a growing lighting manufacturer, and our growth depends on a product development function that can move faster, launch more products, and design them right the first time — for photometric and thermal performance, and for manufacturability, cost, and assemblability on the line. This role is as much about building that function and the people in it as it is about the products themselves.

You will report directly to the CEO and work daily with sales, purchasing, manufacturing, and quality to bring products to market on schedule and on budget.

Leadership & Department Management:

• Own and run the New Product Development department — currently a team of three engineers/designers, with headcount expected to grow alongside the company
• Hire, mentor, and develop engineering talent; set individual goals and hold the team accountable to delivery, quality, and technical standards
• Set the NPD roadmap and prioritization in partnership with the CEO, sales, and operations, and translate business goals into an executable product plan
• Build and continuously improve the department’s development process (stage-gate/PDP, design reviews, DFM/DFA gates) so it scales as the company grows
• Own the department’s project timelines, budget, and resource allocation; report progress and risk directly to executive leadership
• Represent engineering and product development in front of customers, key suppliers, and the leadership team

Product Development & Technical Responsibilities:

• Lead the full product development lifecycle for LED luminaires — concept, design, prototyping, testing, validation, and production launch
• Design optical, mechanical, and thermal systems for LED fixtures with manufacturability as a first-order requirement, not an afterthought — designing for assemblability, production efficiency, and long-term field performance
• Select and specify LED components, drivers, optics, and materials based on performance, cost, and supply chain availability
• Develop and interpret photometric data (IES files, candela distributions, lumen output) using tools such as AGi32, Photopia, or TracePro
• Direct thermal analysis and testing to ensure LED junction temperatures stay within manufacturer specifications for target lifespan
• Oversee 3D CAD models and drawings (SolidWorks or similar), BOM management, tolerancing, and formal DFM/DFA reviews
• Direct prototype build and test programs — photometric, electrical, thermal, and environmental (IP rating, vibration, salt fog) validation
• Ensure designs meet relevant standards: UL 1598, UL 8750, DLC, Energy Star, IP65/66, IK ratings, RoHS, and applicable DOE regulations
• Partner with manufacturing engineering to develop scalable, cost-effective production processes and resolve issues during production ramp-up
• Manage BOM cost targets and work with sourcing/procurement on component selection and supplier qualification
• Own technical documentation: specifications, test reports, engineering change orders (ECOs), and compliance files
• Lead failure analysis, warranty investigations, and continuous improvement efforts on existing product lines

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent hands-on experience)
• Minimum 5 years of experience in the lighting industry, including new product development for LED luminaires or closely related electromechanical products
• Direct manufacturing experience, with a demonstrated track record of designing for assemblability, production efficiency, and performance — not just lab-bench design
• Demonstrated leadership ability — experience managing engineers, leading cross-functional project teams, or otherwise taking ownership of a technical function
• Strong understanding of LED driver circuits, thermal management principles, and optical design fundamentals
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred) and photometric design tools (AGi32, Photopia, or equivalent)
• Working knowledge of relevant lighting standards and certifications (UL, DLC, Energy Star, IP/IK ratings)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including comfort in presenting technical information to executive and non-technical stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior people-management experience, ideally having built or scaled a small engineering team
• Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline
• Experience with injection-molded housings, extruded polymers, extruded aluminum profiles, and die-cast aluminum heat sinks
• Experience designing LED optics
• Familiarity with DALI, 0-10V, DMX, or wireless lighting control protocols
• Experience working directly with contract manufacturers or overseas suppliers
• Six Sigma, DFM/DFA, or formal PDP (product development process) training
• Prior experience in outdoor, industrial, or architectural luminaire product lines

Compensation & Benefits:

• Base salary $150,000–$175,000, commensurate with experience
• Competitive annual bonus tied to company performance metrics
• Possible equity, based on role impact and company performance
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Relocation assistance
• Ground-floor opportunity to build and lead the product development function of a fast-growing lighting manufacturer

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