Director of Engineering & NPI

We are looking for an experienced Director of Engineering & NPI to lead Manufacturing Engineering and New Product Introduction, ensuring a controlled transition from development to scalable production and supporting the integration of ZutaCore’s liquid cooling solutions into server platforms. The role combines hands-on engineering leadership, team development, and ownership of critical and strategic projects, working closely with R&D, global contract manufacturers, and server OEM/ODM partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Engineering, NPI, and Technical Documentation team, defining ownership, priorities, and deliverables.
• Take the lead on critical and strategic cross-functional projects, aligning stakeholders, resolving barriers, and driving execution through completion.
• Own industrialization and manufacturing readiness for CDUs, cold plates, cooling loops, manifolds, and related assemblies.
• Lead NPI from early design reviews through prototype builds, pilot production, and ramp-up, establishing clear production readiness criteria.
• Drive DFX with R&D and OEM/ODM partners, addressing manufacturability, assembly, testing, serviceability, and reliability.
• Develop and qualify manufacturing processes, tooling, fixtures, and production tests, including leak, pressure, flow, and functional testing.
• Ensure complete production files, accurate BOMs, configuration control, and controlled engineering changes in ERP/PLM systems, including NetSuite.
• Lead transfers to global manufacturing partners and support supplier and alternate-source qualification.
• Resolve complex manufacturing issues and improve yield, cycle time, cost, and process stability.
• Manage external engineering resources and incorporate production and field lessons into product improvements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
• At least 10 years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering, NPI, or complex hardware industrialization, including at least 3 years of direct management of engineers.
• Proven experience transferring products from development to serial production through contract manufacturers.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional projects, take initiative, and drive decisions and execution in a dynamic environment.
• Strong hands-on mechanical engineering skills, including SolidWorks, DFX, process qualification, and root cause analysis.
• Experience with production testing, BOMs, configuration management, and ERP/PLM systems.
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, with a clear sense of ownership and accountability.
• Fluent in English.