Product Development Engineering Manager

The Product Engineering Manager leads the Bedford-based engineering team supporting both new product development and ongoing engineering for the local wafer fabrication facility and global contract manufacturing sites. The focus is on driving innovation and performance across semiconductor products, processes, and systems—enhancing quality, reliability, and profitability. The Product Engineering Manager oversees the development of FETs, TVS diodes, and Thyristors, coordinating with global process and manufacturing teams. They also manage the full lifecycle of new product development from customer engagement through to production launch.

DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES (End Results Expected):

• Leadership & Strategy: Direct the semiconductor product development team from concept to high-volume production, ensuring alignment with corporate procedures and customer expectations.
• Project Oversight: Lead cross-functional teams in the design, development, testing, and analysis of MOSFETs, TVS diodes, and Thyristors, including materials, tooling, and automation.
• Scheduling & Planning: Develop and manage complex project timelines using MS Project, ensuring timely delivery of design and qualification milestones.
• Business Case Development: Support new product initiatives with robust business cases, including cost and schedule estimates.
• Documentation & Compliance: Ensure complete engineering documentation in line with ISO 9001 and TS-16949 standards.
• Quality & Six Sigma: Empower teams to meet six-sigma targets or develop plans to achieve desired product quality.
• Innovation & Design: Foster a creative environment for breakthrough designs and patented concepts.
• Global Collaboration: Promote concurrent engineering and teamwork across international sites to accelerate development.
• Training & Mentorship: Provide technical training and guidance to engineering and fab personnel.
• Cross-Functional Engagement: Involve process engineering, purchasing, and other departments early in development cycles.
• Problem Solving: Address chronic product and process issues using advanced techniques such as SPC and DOE.
• Industry Awareness: Stay informed on semiconductor and surge protection trends through ongoing research and engagement.
• Reliability Assurance: Oversee reliability testing and qualification to ensure robust product performance.
• Team Management: Set goals, monitor performance, provide feedback, and take corrective action when necessary. Recognise and reward strong performance. Provide direction to technical engineering professionals and clerical support personnel. Direct project(s), program(s) and/or engineering team(s).

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Creative mindset with a drive to challenge conventional approaches.

COMMUNICATIONS:

• ORAL: Excellent verbal skills required to communicate instructions and present ideas, concepts, and solutions to all levels of employees, suppliers, and customers, worldwide.
• WRITTEN: Excellent written skills required to issue instructions and present ideas, concepts, and solutions to all levels of employees and suppliers via letters, email, memos, graphs, charts, etc.

SCHEDULING AND PLANNING: Plan, schedule and direct all assigned project activities. Involved in short-term and long-range planning activities.

BASIC JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• EDUCATION: Normally, graduation from an accredited three-year college or university with a degree in Engineering, Science or Mathematics required, or equivalent education, training and experience. MBA or Engineering Management degree is desirable.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Demonstrated ability to perform the above functions. Significant progressive Engineering experience with proven capability to design, develop and release products, processes or equipment of major scope and a high degree of complexity.

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: Proven leadership in engineering teams and successful product launches. Extensive experience in semiconductor design and development, especially in surge and ESD protection devices. Strong project management skills, with expert proficiency in MS Project. Familiarity with TS-16949 and AECQ qualification standards. Ability to work independently and manage cross-functional deliverables. Significant experience in semiconductor engineering, with a track record of delivering complex products and processes.

QUALIFICATIONS: Degree in Engineering, Science, or Mathematics (MBA or Engineering Management preferred).

OTHER SKILLS: Time management and organizational skills. Capable of managing work and deliverables from others with little supervision. Flexible and able to work in a demanding environment, and to travel as required.