Director of Engineering, R&D POST NUMBER: 474364
Location: Memphis, TN (Hybrid – in office Tuesday–Thursday)
Compensation: $140,000–$160,000 base 15% bonus | Relocation available
About the Role
We’re seeking a Director of Engineering, Research & Development to lead innovation and technology development for a global, market?leading consumer products company headquartered in Memphis. This is a high?impact leadership role overseeing advanced electromechanical product development, with a strong emphasis on air movement, motor and controls, electronics, and connected/IoT platforms.
This position is ideal for an engineering leader who thrives in a hands?on manufacturing environment, enjoys building and leading high?performing technical teams, and is motivated by bringing new products from concept through launch.
What You’ll Do
- Provide technical and people leadership for Residential and Commercial R&D engineering teams
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team of ~7 engineers spanning controls, motors, electronics, mechanical design, and program management
- Drive innovation across electronic controls, motors, lighting systems, mechanical designs, and connected (IoT) platforms
- Guide product strategy and technology roadmaps from concept through commercialization
- Oversee R&D budgets, capital investment, and resource planning
- Ensure products meet quality, safety, reliability, cost, and schedule objectives
- Deliver regular technology updates and reviews to senior leadership
- Partner cross?functionally with product management, manufacturing, supply chain, and global suppliers
- Lead global manufacturing initiatives and collaborate with international engineering and supplier partners
- Mentor and develop engineering talent, strengthening technical depth and leadership bench strength
What We’re Looking For
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical preferred; Mechanical acceptable)
- 10 years of engineering experience in manufacturing environments
- 5 years of people management experience leading engineering teams
- Strong background in electronics and electromechanical systems, including:
- Motor and controls
- Electronic hardware and embedded systems
- Proven experience in new product development from concept through production
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and decision?making skills
Highly Preferred Experience
- Consumer products manufacturing, especially air movement / circulation products
- Experience with IoT and connected products (Wi?Fi, Bluetooth, mobile app integration)
- Software?hardware integration for product control and monitoring
- Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA)
- Exposure to global manufacturing and international engineering teams
Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.
EEO Notice
Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com .
Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.
By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.
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Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.
- California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
- Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
- Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
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Pay Transparency Notice
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:
- the individual’s skill sets, experience and training;
- licensure and certification requirements;
- office location and other geographic considerations;
- other business and organizational needs.
With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.