Director, Product Development – Engineering (RF or Electrical)

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## Company Description

Vorbeck is a technology firm specializing in advanced graphene applications and material solutions. Our innovations are utilized in a wide range of industries, from communications and electronic warfare to firefighting and aerospace. We manage the entire development cycle, beginning with proprietary material formulations and ending with seamless integration into end-use applications.

In general, we are looking for individuals to join the team who are:

– Innovative- curious, creative thinkers who are not afraid to try new things
– Determined- hardworking, motivated people who know that success does not come easily
– Leaders- people who want to grow, take on new responsibilities, and show the world what can be done
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## Job Description

As the Director of Product Development, you will lead and oversee product development and engineering at our North Dakota location, driving the development of cutting-edge solutions for our defense and first-responder customers. You will be instrumental in guiding the design and implementation of advanced RF and communication applications, including conformal antenna arrays, RF sensing, and shielding materials. This is a hands-on leadership position where you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and achieve technical excellence. Management experience and a deep understanding of material science, electromagnetic theory, and antenna design is important.

– Engineering Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive engineering strategy and roadmap that aligns with the companys overall goals and vision. Identify areas for growth, new application possibilities, and potential areas of innovation in graphene applications in addition to supporting productization and commercialization.
– Product Development: Lead and direct development efforts to continuously advance the state-of-the-art in graphene-based technologies. Foster a culture of experimentation and creativity, encouraging engineers to explore novel concepts and breakthrough solutions.
– Team Leadership: Manage a team of engineers and scientists. Provide mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities to help the team members thrive in their roles.
– Project Management: Oversee multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring they are executed efficiently, on schedule, and within budget. Collaborate with project managers to define project scopes, deliverables, and success criteria.
– Quality Assurance and Testing: Implement robust testing and product quality control processes to ensure that all products and solutions meet strict quality standards and adhere to industry regulations. Develop and oversee testing and evaluation of both new and mature products.
– Collaboration: Foster effective cross-functional collaboration with other departments, such as operations, sales, marketing, and production, or external partners to promote smooth product development and commercialization. Support sales for meetings from a technical standpoint to drive new business.
– Technology Evaluation: Stay abreast of the latest trends, research, and advancements in graphene technology and related fields. Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies and best practices to maintain a competitive edge.
– Risk Management: Identify potential technical challenges and risks and develop mitigation strategies to address them proactively.
– Intellectual Property: Work with the legal team to protect the companys intellectual property through patent filings and other means.
– Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that all graphene-based products and solutions meet relevant industry standards and comply with regulatory requirements.
– Other tasks may be required, including giving external technical presentations, technical support for proposals, etc.
– Travel (expected) 10%
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## Qualifications

Education

– Bachelors or Masters degree in Engineering (Especially RF and electrical engineering) or a related field. A Ph.D. would be an advantage.

Experience

– Minimum of 8 years experience working as an Engineer. Electrical or RF experience preferred.

– Proven experience (at least 3-5 years) in leading engineering teams and managing complex projects in a product development environment with successful outcomes.

Skills and Abilities

– Strong work ethic and ability to work well individually and as part of a fast-paced team.

– Proven ability to commercialize technology.

– Significant plus for expertise in graphene applications, radio frequency system design/development, and printable electronics.

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– Strong understanding of material science, electromagnetics, test/QC methodologies, and RF systems.

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– Familiarity with relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements in the commercial, aerospace, government, and defense sectors a plus.

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– Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams towards common goals.

– Innovative mindset with a track record of problem-solving and creative thinking.

– Strong project management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, meet deadlines, and work in Integrated Program Teams (IPT).

– Excellent presentation and verbal communication skills, and strong technical writing ability for proposal support.

– Able to obtain or already possess a security clearance with the US DoD
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## Additional Information

Job Type:Full-time

Classification:Exempt

Physical Setting/work location:In-Office

Pay:$125,000, based on experience

Benefits include:

– Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

– 401(k) Program

– Vacation, Personal Time, and 10 Paid Holidays

– Company-sponsored Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance

– Opportunity for Relocation Assistance

Vorbeck is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or related medical conditions), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.This position will involve work on government contracts and the government requires that qualified candidates must be United States citizens.All personal information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
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