R&D Engineering Manager – Ninja

SharkNinja is looking for a highly motivated Engineering Manager to lead Ninja’s R&D Engineering team. This person must be both an Engineer and a Manager – they will be the lead R&D engineer on one or more projects and also manage a team of engineers supporting these projects. They will be responsible for “how things work” in our products, focusing on the development and implementation of new technologies to deliver consumer-delighting performance.

On the Engineer side we seek a creative problem solver who possesses a deep, intuitive grasp of physics and engineering fundamentals and is equally comfortable hacking together a prototype in the lab or working through theories on a whiteboard. Critical to this role is the ability to rapidly condense design problems to their core requirements and communicate scope, approach, and progress. This is a role focused on rapid iteration and a “fail fast” mindset to focus efforts quickly. Candidates should be capable of creating and executing test plans, analyzing data, and developing theories that may be referenced in product development here for years to come. This is not a CAD focused role, but you will drive the design of the product through participation in design reviews and close collaboration with other teams. A successful candidate must be able to think like both a scientist and an engineer and must understand better than anyone else how things function and what levers to pull to make them work better.

On the Manager side we seek a leader who can steer new product development from a technology perspective within the cross-functional team, generating new ideas and driving the broader product concept in a direction that aligns with what’s technically feasible. They will act as R&D lead on one or more projects, overseeing the technical performance workstreams and developing the technology required to meet or exceed requirements. They will lead a team of engineers while also working alongside them, and they are responsible for their team’s work and growth. This role is involved heavily at the front-end of the product development cycle but also supports products all the way up to mass production. A successful candidate must be able to think both big picture and get into the details, and they must be prepared to balance being a deep technical expert while working, thinking, and leading cross-functionally.

Attributes:

• Ability to break down complex problems into first principles, generate a plan/approach to resolve the problems, and then execute using a fail-fast and “progress over perfection” mindset
• Strong understanding of mechanical engineering/physics fundamentals including heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and mechanical design
• Solid analytical skills, strong attention to detail, and relentless drive to identify potential problems and take responsibility for their resolution
• Ability to quickly, effectively, and concisely communicate with both technical and non-technical colleagues verbally and in writing
• Adept at multitasking and responding quickly to shifting priorities without losing sight of longer-term projects and goals
• Strong ability to articulate and advocate for your ideas, and willingness to both challenge others and be challenged yourself on the merits of ideas

Qualifications:

• BS or MS in Engineering (Mechanical or similar discipline)
• 6+ years of related experience in product development or a related field, ideally in a fast-paced, startup type environment
• Proven record of delivering robust, elegant, and innovative solutions to complex engineering challenges, leading projects, and managing or mentoring other engineers
• Experience with general hands on mechanical and/or electrical fabrication (power tools, sheet metal work, electrical wiring)
• Experience with electronics, test equipment, and components common in small appliances (sensors, motors, heaters, PCBAs, etc.)
• Basic CAD experience
• Advanced skills in using Excel (or similar programs) to organize and analyze test data
• Due to the hands-on nature of the role working with prototypes this is an in-person role at our Needham, MA Office

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