Innovation Engineering Manager - Thermal/Mechanical/Automation

Cohu (www.cohu.com) in Poway (San Diego) is seeking an Innovation Manager to lead a small group of highly talented multi-disciplinary engineers for dedicated R & D to develop new technologies and derive concepts for use in new or existing semi-conductor test and inspections products and thermal systems.  This key position will manage the Innovation Technology Department (iLAB) at our Poway innovation center.

MAIN OBJECTIVES

1. Provide disciplined and technical leadership for the Innovation Lab department
2. Analyze and structure new technologies and derive concepts for their use in new or existing products
3. Advance active thermal control technologies (T-Core) in terms of control technology and heat transport across the domains of software, electrical hardware, mechanics, and materials science
4. Conceive and evaluate new machines, systems and modular architectures
5. Design, drive and execute technology development projects in collaboration with product management and other engineering departments within development
6. Establish and maintain a culture of innovation
7. Clarify requirements and present concepts to customers at customers sites worldwide

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Inspire and develop emerging talent to grow technical expertise, innovation skills and soft skills
2. Resource planning, cost responsibility, and deadline control
3. Identification and selection of suitable technology development projects
4. Technical control of technology development projects
5. Make decisions in the event of conflicting development goals in machines and modules
6. Patent management and protection of newly developed intellectual property

ESSENTIAL QUALITY EXPECTATIONS

1. Proactively identify and improve structural weaknesses in processes, technical expertise, and mindset within the Innovation Lab department
2. Proactively identify opportunities for machine and system improvements
3. Provide structured and clear reports on department status and projects
4. Team spirit to evolve in an innovation team
5. Open mind for new ideas and multi-technology investigations

AUTHORITY:  Leader of the iLab technology department in US Poway under the Senior Manager Innovation Lab

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• A BS and MS degree that includes a major or minor or focus field of study in least two or more of the following engineering disciplines: mechanical, electrical, electro-mechanical, robotics/automation, mechatronics,  thermal, systems, computer science or computer engineering. 
• At least 10 years of progressive experience in the engineering that includes design and development of complex mechanical capital equipment
• At least 3 years of leadership experience
• Ideally, knowledge of the following areas: Embedded development, CAE, MATLAB/Octave, statistics, reliability engineering.
• Experience with concept and product development processes
• In-depth knowledge of control technology of mechatronic systems (ideally thermal systems) and experience in the design of thermal systems and refrigeration technology
• Experience in project management and in leading and motivating departments and project teams
• Strong verbal, written and presentation with MS Office Suite.
• Creativity, flexibility, team skills, and assertiveness
• Customer-oriented thinking and acting
• Language skills: Fluent English negotiation skills, (ideally: German and/or French)
• Position based in CA Poway with travel time up to 20% (Worldwide)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

PhD is in an engineering field is preferred.

Experience with ERP systems such as Oracle, SAP, etc.