Director, Product Development & Engineering, Fluid Power Couplings in Saint Neots

Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you. Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.

Position Summary

We are seeking a UK‑based candidate located in St Neots for the role of Director, Product Development & Engineering, Fluid Power Couplings. This global business and technology leader is responsible for shaping Gates Corporation’s worldwide coupling portfolio from concept to legacy. The role leads the design, validation, and continuous improvement of high‑performance, cost‑effective coupling solutions that support Gates’ hydraulic and industrial hose systems across multiple technologies. Working cross‑functionally across regions, the Director drives innovation, global standardization, and product excellence in partnership with product management, manufacturing, operations, quality, and customers across First‑Fit and Aftermarket channels worldwide.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Product Development & Engineering Leadership: Leads and governs the global engineering organization for fluid power couplings, ensuring world‑class performance, quality, reliability, and cost competitiveness across the full product lifecycle. Owns the development, validation, and optimization of global and regional hose‑coupling systems, ensuring compliance with Gates internal requirements and applicable international standards. Sets enterprise governance for crimp specification data, technical drawings, models, and product specifications—driving global standardization, accuracy, and realtime availability across engineering, manufacturing, channel partners, and aftermarket customers.
• Testing, Certification & Compliance: Directs all global type‑approval and certification activities, ensuring timely approvals, renewals, and complete technical documentation in line with regulatory and industry requirements. Oversees customer‑specific testing programs, including First‑Fit approvals and third‑party coupling evaluations that enable market access and hose sales growth. Provides executive oversight of global test lab operations to ensure consistency in methods, equipment, data integrity, and reporting.
• Innovation & Technology Strategy: Builds and leads global innovation teams advancing next‑generation coupling technologies, materials, sealing solutions, manufacturing processes, and productivity initiatives. Defines and executes mid‑ and long‑term technical roadmaps aligned with Gates’ strategic growth priorities and emerging market applications.
• Cross‑Functional & Commercial Partnership: Partners with Global and Regional Product Management to assess market needs, competitive dynamics, and new growth opportunities. Serves as the senior technical authority supporting Application Engineering, Operations, Quality, and regional commercial teams on customer issues and strategic initiatives. Provides executive‑level evaluation of new materials, suppliers, and technologies to support innovation, quality, and supply resilience.

Keys to Success: Requires comprehensive understanding of internal and industry standards, as well as the changing business environment. Applies broad industry expertise and commercial awareness to drive financial and operational performance across sub‑functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 3+ Direct Reports and an overall team of ~35 employees. Leads, develops, and mentors a geographically distributed, multidisciplinary engineering team, driving high performance, engagement, and succession readiness. Establishes a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement. Manages global resource planning, organizational capacity, and portfolio prioritization within a complex matrixed environment.

Requirements And Preferred Skills: 15-20 years of professional experience in Product Development Engineering within a manufacturing environment. Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related technical field (Master’s preferred). At least 10 years of progressive global Project Engineering leadership experience with exposure to regulated products. Strategic, execution‑focused leader with the ability to balance long‑term technology vision with operational delivery in complex, global environments. Proven success leading multicultural, cross‑functional teams within matrix organizations, including managing competing priorities, conflict, and high‑pressure situations. Deep technical expertise in product design, engineering processes, manufacturing methods, and fluid power or metallic component systems, paired with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills. Solid commercial and financial acumen, including product costing and evaluation of engineering trade‑offs to drive value‑based decisions. Exceptional communicator capable of influencing and aligning stakeholders at all organizational levels on complex technical and business topics. Experienced people leader with a track record of developing talent, managing global resources, and driving results through disciplined project and portfolio management. Regular domestic and international travel required.

Why Gates? Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast number of time zones, we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real‑world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

Work Environment: Gates is an Equal Opportunity and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job‑related reasons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law.

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