Chief Design and industrialization

Position Summary

The Chief Design & Industrialization (CDI) engages in a pivotal leadership capacity, steering the design, engineering, testing, validation, and industrialization processes for boat models. This role collaborates closely with various departments, ensuring that each model is innovative, certifiable, scalable, and aligned with market demands, thus fortifying the company's market position.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Guide the Design & Industrialization Office to align its strategy with overall company objectives.
  • Convert market insights and customer requirements into actionable engineering and design specifications.
  • Work intimately with the Production Office and PMO to ensure timely delivery, cost-efficiency, and adherence to quality standards.
• Design & Engineering
  • Oversee the complete lifecycle of design, engineering, testing, and validation, prioritizing performance, safety, and compliance.
  • Implement documentation and configuration management systems for product traceability.
  • Innovate design methodologies, materials, and sustainable technologies.
• Industrialization & Production Readiness
  • Lead initiatives transitioning prototypes to production with a focus on scalability and manufacturability.
  • Integrate design-for-manufacturing (DFM) practices in collaboration with production teams and suppliers.
  • Continuously enhance processes to improve cost efficiency, quality, and reduce time-to-market.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Coordinate with PMO to maintain alignment of priorities, milestones, and resources across Design, Production, and Sales.
  • Team with Business Development to utilize market insights and customer feedback in product requirements and design strategy.
  • Ensure effective transition of designs to manufacturing partners, supported by comprehensive documentation and validation processes.
  • Assist Finance & HR in budgeting, resourcing, and skill enhancement initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Naval Architecture, Industrial Design, or related discipline.
• Over 10 years of relevant experience in product design and industrialization, preferably in marine, aerospace, or automotive sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and guide products from conception through to industrialization.
• In-depth understanding of manufacturing processes, certification requirements, and supply chain engagement.
• Experience collaborating closely with commercial and production teams to align technology with market needs.

Key Skills

• Leadership and team management capabilities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of end-to-end product design and industrialization.
• Expertise in cross-functional collaboration across Production, PMO, and Business Development.
• Strong understanding of certification and compliance standards.
• Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Personal Attributes

• Visionary thinker with a practical and results-driven mindset.
• Performance-oriented and results-focused.
• Effective communicator and collaborative team member across various functions.
• Adept in risk assessment and management with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Passionate about innovation, quality, and sustainable practices.
• Adaptable and resilient in dynamic environments.

Working Conditions & Interfaces

• Located in Switzerland with frequent travels to Portugal and other partner/customer venues.
• Direct collaboration with the CEO and close interactions with PMO, Production, and Business Development teams.
• Maintains alignment among internal stakeholders to ensure cohesive operations.