R&D Director - Front End Power

Position Summary:

The R&D Director - Front End Power will be responsible for leading a vertically integrated department that includes product managers, design teams, and application engineers to drive the development, execution, and success of power solutions for telecom, datacenter, AI and CSP markets, and industrial applications. This role is accountable for investment decisions, product strategy, and R&D execution to ensure a competitive and market-driven portfolio that delivers revenue growth and profitability.

This position reports to the VP of R&D and collaborates closely with Sales, Operations, and Manufacturing to align innovation with business objectives.

This position can be based at either our R&D facility in Shanghai, China, or our headquarters in Plano, TX.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the product strategy for the Front End Power (FEP) product line, ensuring alignment with market needs and business objectives.
• Lead market analysis and customer insight initiatives to identify emerging trends and application demands in power electronics.
• Define and manage the product portfolio, balancing innovation, profitability, and market differentiation.
• Manage the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept through end-of-life planning, leveraging post-launch feedback for continuous improvement.
• Align product development priorities with sales and manufacturing teams to optimize revenue growth and margin expansion.
• Drive the New Product Introduction (NPI) process and oversee the design, development, and qualification of new FEP power products, ensuring compliance with industry standards and customer requirements.
• Direct sustaining engineering efforts, including customer issue resolution, cost reduction initiatives, and end-of-life component management.
• Own the investment strategy for the product line, balancing R&D spend with business growth objectives.
• Evaluate and approve product development roadmaps, technology investments, and resource allocation to maximize return on investment.
• Provide technical and business leadership in cross-functional discussions with executive management, sales, and operations teams.
• Ensure collaboration between product management, engineering, and applications teams to accelerate time-to-market and optimize design-for-manufacturing processes.
• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of product managers, design engineers, and application engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and market-driven innovation.
• Drive organizational effectiveness, implementing best practices in talent development, technical training, and cross-functional collaboration to accelerate time-to-market.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in power electronics R&D, product management, or engineering leadership, with a strong background in power conversion technologies.
• 5+ years of experience and a proven track record in leading product development teams, managing technology roadmaps, and driving successful product launches.

Desired Characteristics:

• Strong understanding of AC/DC, converter and shelf power solutions for datacenter, telecom, AI/CSP, and industrial markets.
• Experience with cost optimization, supply chain integration, and regulatory compliance in power electronics manufacturing.
• Ability to develop business cases, justify R&D investment decisions, and deliver measurable revenue growth.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.