Director, Product Development

Overview

Job Summary The Director, New Product Development is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for driving execution, innovation, design, and development of externally (customer) and internally (R&D/NPD) funded cutting-edge digital night vision camera technologies and OEM camera products for defense and commercial markets. This role is pivotal in aligning product development initiatives and the product roadmap with the company’s strategic objectives and technical evolution, ensuring technical excellence, regulatory compliance, and market relevance.

The Director, New Product Development will lead direct and indirect cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, mission-critical solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This management position reports to the Vice President & General Manager, EOTECH Edge Vision Systems.

This is an on-site position in Santa Clara, CA. Remote work is not possible for this role. To learn more about EOTECH Edge Vision Systems, please visit

In this role, you will lead a team of NPD Program Managers and assume the role of a hands-on program manager, as required and based on the appropriate division of labor. This position is focused on the areas listed below, with the Director taking accountability for overall performance objectives of the program management team.

• Lead a team of NPD Program Managers who serve as the primary point of contact for external and internal customers and foster strong relationships, ensuring customer/market needs are integrated into SOWs and product development activities.
• Provide a direct line of communication, and act as a secondary resource, for customers to escalate issues; support your team to effect appropriate resolutions.
• Gather and analyze customer feedback to guide program priorities, product design, and functionality.
• Regularly communicate program updates, technical solutions, and progress reports to customers and key internal stakeholders.
• Generate periodic, sometimes government TINA compliant, proposals in response to customer RFPs to address program requirements, overruns, or changes in scope.
• Routinely assess a broader scope of the customer’s organizational hierarchy for decision-making and alternate vehicle platforms or programs for new business opportunities (secondary objective).

• Work with Business Development, Sales, Engineering, and customers to identify appropriate product variations and requirements.
• Develop and leverage product ideation and funnel process enabling multi-year Product/Tech Funnel Portfolio Management.
• With leadership and key stakeholder input, build a business case for new product opportunities to secure internal (and sometimes external) funding (product market fit, ROI, etc.).
• Lead the NPD process, ensuring adherence to phase-gate methodologies and quality standards.
• Define product specifications, performance metrics, and success criteria in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Oversee product launches, ensuring seamless transitions from development to production.

• Manage end-to-end technology and product development programs, from concept to commercialization, ensuring alignment with company goals and customer/market demands.
• Coordinate and lead execution of cross-functional product development across departments, including R&D, engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, and finance.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, budgets and risk mitigation strategies.

• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment throughout the project lifecycle.
• Resolve conflicts, address challenges, and maintain a collaborative environment.

• Must be willing to travel both domestically and internationally, up to 20% of the time.
• On-site position in Santa Clara, CA. Remote work is not possible for this role.
• With or without reasonable accommodation, requires the physical and mental…