R&D Director

To further professionalize the R&D department, we are looking for a driven and communicative R&D Director to lead the team and work with management to set and navigate the product development direction. You are responsible to establish the framework of the R&D strategy and are responsible for the implementation of the strategy roll out within the R&D team.

The R&D Director will work closely with the family since the creative design is still ingrained in the hearts and mind of the founders and with the creative director. As leader you will challenge and streamline together with your team their creative ideas into a quality technical approved final product. 

• As leader, you define the team structure, resources, capabilities & training needs. You manage the technical teams who are responsible for the technical product development, light engineering, prototyping, lab, quality and certification.

• You define the framework of the R&D Strategy and his roll-out by creating an R&D operational plan.
• You prioritize R&D projects according to the resources, deadlines and needs of the customers and try to keep the flexibility of a family owned company.
• You streamline the process of product development and support/guide on the technical questions where necessary:
  • You define project milestones & actions for involved parties, this from concept till release for production;
  • You ensure all teams outside R&D are aligned in the process and receive the necessary information (e.g. product management, marketing, operations, purchasing, etc.);
  • You follow up on project technical content and make sure it is in line with scope, product cost & development cost target;
  • You actively help the team to look for technical solutions where necessary (mechanical, electronical & optical).
• You guide/coach the product certification team in close collaboration with the Quality Manager to achieve their goals.
• You define standardised and best practices, tools and procedures to increase quality and efficiency of R&D activities and you encourage your team to take ownership.
• You will manage the R&D Budget and ensure collective awareness within the team regarding cost.

• You have excellent internal cross departmental contacts and over the international companies of Delta Light. You work closely together with planning, purchase, product management, sales, ... and collaborate on the roadmap of product development for a perfect go-to-market.

Profiel

• You hold a master's degree, preferably in electromechanical engineering together with work experience in a managerial R&D role.
• In addition to background & experience, you have a strong technical interest (mechanics/electronics).
• You are pragmatic, hands-on and have excellent communication skills.
• You are a good teamplayer and as a born leader you have the ability to motivate, lead and empower people. Building a team is what energizes you.
• You have strong project management skills along with the ability to influence people.
• You have diplomacy for interacting with people with different backgrounds.