Product Development Manager – Power Electronics

Head Of Development

Location Tlaquepaque, Mexico

FORVIA HELLA is a listed international automotive supplier. As a company of the FORVIA Group, FORVIA HELLA stands for high-performance lighting technology and vehicle electronics and, with the Lifecycle Solutions Business Group, also covers a broad service and product portfolio for the spare parts and workshop business as well as for manufacturers of special vehicles. With currently around 36,500 employees at over 125 locations, the Company is active worldwide and generated adjusted sales of €8.1 billion in fiscal year 2024.

We are seeking a highly accomplished Head of Development to lead our Product Development organization and drive the execution of innovative, market-leading products from concept through industrialization. A strategic and operational leader who converts ideas into successful products by aligning technology, people and business goals to ensure competitiveness and profitability.

This role is responsible for the overall leadership of Product Development, Mechanical Design, System Engineering, Testing & Validation, great collaboration with Project Management and Product Line director. The successful candidate will ensure the delivery of competitive products that meet customer expectations while achieving quality, cost, and timing objectives. The position also plays a critical role in technology strategy, innovation, business growth, customer acquisition, and organizational development.

As a strategic and operational leader, you will align technology, people, processes, and business objectives to strengthen market position, foster innovation, and ensure sustainable profitability.

• Lead the end-to-end Product Development organization, including Mechanical Design, Hardware, System, Testing. Ensuring delivery of competitive products that meet Quality, Cost, and Delivery (Quality, Cost, Delivery) objectives.
• Build, develop, and inspire high-performing multidisciplinary teams by driving talent development, succession planning, employee engagement, and a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Define and optimize development processes, methods, and resource allocation to ensure efficient project execution, effective capacity utilization, and alignment with business objectives.
• Contribute to product and market strategies by identifying growth opportunities, supporting technology roadmaps, and aligning development activities with customer and market needs.
• Partner with customers and key stakeholders to support business acquisition activities, including RFQs, technical proposals, negotiations, and executive presentations, while fostering long-term strategic relationships
• Own departmental budgets and development investments, ensuring cost-effective operations, financial performance, profitability, and responsible resource management.
• Drive innovation and technology adoption by implementing new engineering tools, processes, and product technologies, while ensuring technical excellence, manufacturability, and industrialization readiness.
• Collaborate closely with Global Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Sales, Purchasing, Finance, Product Management/Product Line Director, and external partners to achieve business goals and deliver customer value.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive developments to strengthen the company's market position and long-term growth.
• Ensure organizational performance through strong leadership, customer satisfaction, on-time delivery, resource efficiency, product quality, and sustainable business growth.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Mechatronics, Software Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in Product Development, Research & Development, or Engineering Management.
• Proven track record of successfully launching products from concept through series production.
• Previous leadership experience managing technical teams and development organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in product design, development, and project management.
• Experience with in the automotive industry or a related manufacturing environment.
• Automotive engineering and product development processes.
• Manufacturing processes including metal and plastics processing.
• Time-to-Market methodologies and product lifecycle management.
• Financial and business management principles.
• Experience with customer acquisition, strategic quotations, and executive customer presentations.
• Fluent English with the ability to communicate and negotiate effectively in an international environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering, Innovation Management, Technology Management, or MBA.
• Experience leading global or multi-site engineering organizations.
• Strong knowledge of Functional Safety, Cybersecurity, APQP, PPAP, DFMEA, PFMEA, ISO 17025 and IATF 16949.…