Executive Director – Advanced Mechatronic Components (Valves, Actuators)

The Executive Director – Advanced Mechatronic Components (Valves, Actuators) will lead the global design, development, and commercialization of smart mechatronic devices such as electromechanical valves, servo actuators, stepper-controlled valves, and solenoid-based systems for automotive, industrial, HVAC, and mobility applications.

This executive will define product strategies, oversee innovation roadmaps, and lead multidisciplinary teams across mechanical, electrical, software, and controls engineering to deliver high-performance, cost-effective, and scalable mechatronic solutions for thermal management, powertrain, chassis, and electrified systems.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Technology & Product Strategy

• Define the vision, strategy, and roadmap for advanced mechatronic components, including integrated valve-actuator systems and smart thermal or flow control modules.

• Align development with market trends in electrification, digital controls, autonomous systems, and energy-efficient HVAC solutions.

• Drive innovation in sensors, embedded control algorithms, communication interfaces (LIN, CAN, SENT), and system diagnostics.

2. Engineering Program Leadership

• Oversee full lifecycle development: requirements, architecture, detailed design, prototyping, testing, validation, and production launch.

• Ensure robust mechanical-electrical-software co-design practices and platform-based development for modularity and reuse.

• Lead design reviews, DFMEAs, and verification/validation protocols for high-reliability systems.

3. Cross-Functional and Global Collaboration

• Partner with business units, product management, OEM customers, and manufacturing to align technical development with customer needs, production capabilities, and cost targets.

• Lead cross-regional engineering teams in North America, Europe, and Asia to execute development with speed and quality.

• Support strategic supplier selection and qualification for electromechanical components and PCBAs.

4. Organizational Leadership & Governance

• Build and lead a world-class engineering organization across mechanical design, embedded controls, and system engineering disciplines.

• Establish and enforce engineering standards, IP development processes, simulation methodologies, and best-in-class quality practices.

• Serve as executive sponsor for key customer accounts, joint ventures, and strategic technical alliances.

5. Innovation, Compliance, and Future Readiness

• Champion new technologies such as AI-based control strategies, wireless sensing, miniaturized actuation, and additive manufacturing.

• Ensure compliance with functional safety (ISO 26262), cybersecurity, and automotive quality standards (IATF 16949, ASPICE, etc.).

• Drive the patent portfolio, tech scouting, and collaboration with universities or research labs.

Key Focus Areas:

• Electromechanical Valves and Smart Actuators

• Multidisciplinary Product Development (Mechanical + Electronics + Software)

• Functional Safety and Embedded Control Integration

• Strategic Leadership and Global Program Execution

• Innovation in Electrified and Thermal Management Systems

Qualifications:

• Master’s or Bachelor’s in Mechatronics, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or a related field; Ph.D. is a plus.

• 15+ years of experience in product development of mechatronic systems with at least 5 years in executive leadership.

• Demonstrated success delivering electromechanical systems to OEMs or industrial customers at global scale.

Preferred Skills:

• Deep understanding of actuator kinematics, electromagnetic design, sensors, and software/hardware integration.

• Familiarity with tools like MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS Maxwell, GT-SUITE, and AUTOSAR-based development.

• Strong leadership, communication, and change management skills across global, multi-disciplinary teams.