Development Engineering Manager

Optinova is more than a manufacturer of medical and industrial tubing–we are experts in advanced extrusion and material technologies. At Optinova, innovation starts with curiosity and a drive to solve complex challenges. Our engineers and technical specialists develop high-precision extrusion solutions that help bring new ideas to life across the medical and industrial tubing industries.

We are looking for a Development Engineering Manager to lead our Optinova Innovation Center Americas (OICA)- a customer-facing engineering team at the forefront of rapid prototyping, advanced materials, and extrusion technology.

SUMMARY:

The Development Engineering Manager leads Optinova Innovation Center Americas (OICA-) a customer-facing team focused on rapid prototyping and extrusion technology as a part of the Global Optinova OIC. The role is responsible for building a high-performing team that delivers fast, reliable prototype solutions, develops advanced extrusion capabilities, and serves as a trusted technical partner to customer engineering organizations. Through technical leadership, customer collaboration, and continuous capability development, the position helps accelerate customer innovation while creating future manufacturing opportunities for Optinova.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design a process for, and deliver fast paced prototype extrusions to external and internal customers.
• Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technical specialists focused on product design, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Establish technical strategy, team priorities, resource allocation, and development roadmaps aligned with business objectives and customer requirements.
• Drive innovation in component technologies including tubes, shafts, liners, braids and other products.
• Oversee the design and development of products utilizing advanced polymers, extrusions, braided components and hybrid material systems.
• Lead the design, and development of advanced catheter components and related technologies from concept through production transfer.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including ISO 13485 and design control requirements.
• Lead technical feasibility studies, proof-of-concept evaluations, and design verification and validation activities.
• Collaborate with customers, marketing, manufacturing, quality, commercial, and project management teams to translate customer needs into commercially viable products.
• Direct product development activities including design inputs, design outputs, design reviews, verification, validation, and design transfer documentation.
• Develop and execute technical plans, schedules, budgets, and resource allocation to ensure timely completion of development programs.
• Identify and implement innovative manufacturing processes and technologies that improve product performance, quality, manufacturability, and cost.
• Drive failure analysis investigations, root cause analyses, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives for development and production programs.
• Evaluate new materials, suppliers, equipment, and technologies to enhance product capabilities and maintain competitive advantage.
• Provide technical leadership in the areas of extrusion mechanics, material science, and process development.
• Support intellectual property development and protection of proprietary technologies.
• Establish engineering standards, design methodologies, and best practices to support consistent product development execution.
• Lead customer-facing technical discussions and serve as the primary engineering representative for key development partnerships and strategic accounts.
• Ensure product designs meet performance, reliability, safety, and manufacturability requirements while achieving targeted cost objectives
• Support manufacturing scale-up activities, process validations, and production readiness reviews for new product introductions
• Manage external development partners, contract manufacturers, and suppliers as required
• Prepare and present technical reports, project updates, and executive-level summaries to senior management and stakeholders
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the engineering organization
• Recruit, develop, and retain talented employees.
• Conduct performance evaluations and career development planning.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration and effective communication across the organization.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, quality standards, safety requirements, and ethical business practices.
• Other unrelated duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science or related technical field. 5-7+ years experience in R&D, product development, or related technical field. 2+ years of experience in management. Experience in customer-facing roles.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

The employee must be proficient in English language which includes speaking, reading and writing. Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business texts, customer documents, technical procedures or governmental and safety regulations. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and suppliers. Excellent written and oral communications skills as well as interpersonal skills. Capable and comfortable in leading training sessions and formal presentations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee must wear personal protection equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, safety shoes and hearing protection in PPE designated areas.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; and fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. The employee will be working in the factory about 100% of the time. The plant and office are non-smoking environments. The employee should expect warm working conditions during the summer months in the plant.

*Optinova is an equal opportunity employer*