Vice President of Research & Development (R&D)
17 days ago
San Jose
Job DescriptionJob Description: Vice President of Research & Development (VP of R&D) Location: San Jose, California, USA (Designlibro U.SRe) Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Department: Research & Development Employment Type: Full-time, Executive Leadership Role Overview The Vice President of Research & Development (R&D) will play a pivotal role in shaping Designlibros innovation strategy and driving the development of next-generation smart pet products, IoT solutions, AI-driven devices, and robotics technologies. This leader will oversee a multi-disciplinary, cross-border R&D organisation spanning the U.S. and China, ensuring seamless collaboration and delivering world-class products that delight customers and strengthen our competitive advantage. Key Responsibilities 1. R&D Strategy & Innovation • Define and execute a mid-to long-term R&D roadmap aligned with company vision and business objectives., • Drive innovation in IoT, AI, robotics, and pet health technologies to maintain market leadership., • Continuously identify and adopt emerging technologies that enhance product differentiation and user experience.2. Leadership & Organisational Development, • Build, lead, and inspire a global, cross-functional R&D team across hardware, software, embedded systems, AI, and robotics., • Establish a culture of innovation, accountability, and high performance., • Recruit and develop top-tier engineering and R&D talent, fostering the next generation of technology leaders.3. Product Development & Lifecycle Management, • Oversee the end-to-end product lifecycle, from concept and design through prototyping, validation, manufacturing, and iterative improvements., • Ensure seamless integration between R&D, industrial design, UX/UI, and product management teams., • Anticipate and resolve technical challenges, balancing speed, quality, and scalability.4. Project & Resource Management, • Manage multiple large-scale R&D programmes simultaneously, ensuring on-time, on-budget, and high-quality deliverables., • Own R&D budgeting, resource allocation, and cost optimisation strategies., • Establish and track OKRs, and performance metrics to drive operational excellence.5. Cross-functional & Executive Collaboration, • Partner closely with product, supply chain, manufacturing, quality assurance, and marketing teams to ensure organisational alignment., • Provide technical insight and recommendations for company-wide strategic decisions. Required • Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, AI, or a related technical discipline., • 10+ years of progressive R&D leadership experience in smart hardware, IoT, AI, robotics, or consumer electronics, including 3+ years leading teams of 50+ engineers., • Proven success in taking products from concept to mass production (01 innovation and 1100 scaling)., • Strong technical expertise in embedded systems, connected devices, cloud-enabled platforms, and user-centric hardware solutions.Preferred, • PhD or international leadership experience in the U.S., Europe, or APAC., • Previous success launching IoT-enabled consumer electronics at scale., • Experience integrating AI and robotics technologies into hardware products., • Strategic Leadership Able to define a visionary R&D strategy and align teams globally., • Technical Depth & Breadth Hands-on understanding of emerging technologies and their applications., • Operational Excellence Proven ability to scale complex cross-border R&D organisations., • Innovative Mindset Passion for building disruptive, user-centric products., • Business Acumen Skilled in balancing innovation, cost, and speed-to-market. At Designlibro, we are redefining pet care and smart living by building connected ecosystems powered by innovation. As VP of R&D, youll lead a global team, set the technology vision, and deliver products that impact millions of pet owners worldwide. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of smart hardware, IoT, AI, and robotics while driving Designlibros next stage of growth. Compensation & Benefits Annual Salary Range: $260k - $300k USD • Competitive executive compensation package (base + performance bonus + equity)., • Comprehensive health, wellness, and family benefits., • Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates., • Opportunity to lead innovation at global scale in a high-growth industry. Flexible work from home options available.