Global Director, Research and Development

Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases is a leading provider of cryogenic pumps, heat exchangers, process systems, turboexpanders, services, and solutions for the liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied hydrogen (LH2), and industrial gases industries. Applications include fueling stations, marine engines, peak shaving, power generation, virtual pipelines, carbon capture, geothermal power, and well stimulation. We are a subsidiary of Nikkiso Company Ltd, a leading industrial manufacturer headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with $1.5 B USD in annual revenue, 8000 + employees worldwide, and publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Reporting to the Vice President of Engineering Operations, the Global Director, R&D for the pumps functional unit will lead and oversee development projects aimed at maintaining us at the forefront of cryogenic technologies, helping our customers to make a difference.

We pioneer and serve numerous applications, providing all sizes of systems, centrifugal and reciprocating pumps as well as other cryogenic equipment. The role involves managing both local and remote teams of engineers, driving technological innovation, and ensuring successful project execution. It covers the R&D activities of all the product companies affiliated to the Cryogenic Pumps functional Unit, which are located in US, Europe and Asia.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in product development within the cryogenic pumps sector, strong leadership skills, and a track record of bringing innovative technologies to market.

• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies to foster innovation and support Product Management Strategy.

• Identify key partners and synergies, develop partnerships to extend our technological coverage, shorten development cycle and complement internal competencies,

• Work on developments requests with Product Management and Sales:

• Lead the technical feasibility studies and identify suitable technologies,

• Identify the challenges and the evaluate the risks,

• Assess the needed resources (internal and external), timeline and budget.

• Work with Product Management, Engineering and Supply Chain Management on obsolescence plans when necessary,

• Manage IP strategy, identify patent opportunities,

• Identify and pursue opportunities for funding and partnerships to support R&D initiatives.

• Support communication efforts (publications, conferences and shows, marketing)
  

Technical Oversight

• Provide technical leadership and direction for development projects, ensuring adherence to best practices, industry standards, regulatory requirements and relevant internal procedures,

• Standardize developments processes over the affiliates, formalize the tools, guidelines and engineering practices.
  
  

Leadership & Team Management

• Manage, develop and mentor the multi-sites team of engineers specializing in cryogenic pump technologies,

• Provide guidance to local R&D managers to enhance team capabilities and project outcomes, set performance goals, conduct reviews of performance KPIs,

• Establish and refine required ISO procedures for the execution of R&D process,

• Define the needed metrics, KPIs, Dashboards to monitor the effectiveness of the R&D activities.

• Ensure projects are completed on schedule and within budget through efficient use of resources and cost-effective execution.
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with other departments, such as product management, purchasing, manufacturing and commissioning / warranty to integrate R&D outputs into commercial products, gather return of experience and contribute to the continuous improvement of the products,

• In a global context, the aforementioned departments can be remote and affiliated to other product companies within the Pumps Functional unit. This encompasses cooperation with remote engineering and purchasing resources.

• Facilitate communication and collaboration between engineering / R&D teams and external partners or stakeholders, also customers.
  
  

Documentation & Reporting

• Provide technical reports, project updates, dashboards and research findings to senior management and other stakeholders.

• Ensure comprehensive documentation of development processes, designs and outcomes.

• Facilitate handover to engineering teams, assuring understanding of the design and manufacturing principles as well as the quality requirements.

• Master’s degree in Engineering or higher preferred,

• Fluent in English, for both verbal and written communication.

• Minimum of five years of experience in product development within the cryogenic pumps sector, including two years in a management or leadership role.

• Wide knowledge of reciprocating and rotating machinery,

• Deep knowledge of oxygen and explosive atmospheres hazards.

• Demonstrated success in leading Development projects from concept through to commercialization.

• Experience with regulatory requirements and compliance.

• Strong technical expertise in cryogenics, process engineering or machinery preferred,

• Proven leadership and team management abilities,

• Pragmatic, out-of-the-box thinking, both hands-on and conceptual.

• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to manage complex engineering challenges.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced and innovative environment, both accurate and agile.

• Proficiency in engineering design (SolidWorks Preferred) and project management methodologies are good to have.