Job Overview

Note: This position is posted in the United States; however, we are also open to candidates based in China, Malaysia, Singapore or the Philipines.

The Director of Manufacturing Process Development Engineering (MPDE) Methodology is a global leadership role within TE’s Data and Devices Networking (DDN) Business, responsible for elevating manufacturing process development into a strategic enterprise capability. This leader will define, govern, and deploy best-in-class methodologies that enable fast, predictable, and scalable New Product Introduction (NPI).

The role drives a fundamental shift from reactive problem solving to proactive process design — ensuring manufacturing capabilities are architected early, validated rigorously, and industrialized efficiently. By embedding structured methodologies, early risk identification, and repeatable industrialization playbooks, the Director enables first-time-right NPI execution across regions, factories, and product portfolios.

This position serves as the authoritative manufacturing voice within NPI decision-making, ensuring speed, quality, scalability, and cost competitiveness are built into every program from concept through production ramp.

Job Requirements

• Own and govern the global NPI manufacturing process development system from early product architecture through factory transfer and production ramp.

• Define early manufacturing concepts, feasibility assessments, scalability strategies, and industrialization roadmaps.

• Align equipment, tooling, automation, and capital investment strategies with product and business growth objectives.

• Establish and deploy robust validation frameworks (IQ/OQ/PQ) aligned to yield, cost, and volume ramp targets.

• Institutionalize structured problem-solving methodologies (DOE, DMAIC, 8D) across all NPI programs, ensuring closed-loop resolution and sustainable countermeasures.

• Embed manufacturing rigor at every NPI gate through readiness scoring, capability metrics, yield performance tracking, and data-driven go/no-go decisions.

• Standardize automation and CAPEX development into scalable, repeatable manufacturing platforms aligned with long-term business strategy.

• Partner cross-functionally with Product Engineering, Program Management, Quality, Operations, and the CTO organization to ensure early manufacturing integration and alignment.

• Establish and grow global centers of excellence for core manufacturing technologies while strengthening technical depth and succession capability.

• Build and lead high-performing engineering teams capable of delivering in complex, fast-paced, and ambiguous NPI environments.

• Institutionalize learnings across regions and sites so manufacturing challenges are solved once and leveraged globally.

Success in this role will be measured by accelerated NPI ramps, improved first-pass validation rates, reduced late-stage engineering changes, and consistent global deployment of standardized manufacturing methodologies.

What your background should look like

• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience within product and/or manufacturing process development organizations.

• Minimum 8 years of hands-on experience in new product and manufacturing process development, including validation and production ramp phases.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering required; Master’s degree or advanced technical degree preferred.

• Broad expertise across multiple manufacturing domains, with exposure to stamping, plating, molding, cable assembly, automation, and materials such as metal alloys and engineered resins strongly preferred.

• Experience in connector and/or cable manufacturing environments is advantageous.

• Demonstrated success driving change, improving execution discipline, and holding teams accountable for measurable outcomes.

• Strong background in statistical methods, Six Sigma, root-cause analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies.

• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing global engineering teams.

• Strong business acumen and the ability to balance speed, quality, cost, and scalability in decision-making.

• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to operate effectively across global, matrixed organizations.

• High ownership mindset with disciplined execution and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.

Competencies