Head of Engineering Design and Development

Role Summary

The Engineering function is responsible for implementing innovative solutions in rugged photonics and advanced microelectronics for commercial, defense and aerospace applications. This team ensures that all engineering activities, from design and development to process optimization, meet business objectives, regulatory requirements and customer expectations.

As the Head of Engineering Design and Development, you will lead the execution of product design, technical engineering and sustainment activities, and New Product Introduction (NPI) end-to-end throughout the product lifecycle. Working with cross-functional leaders, this role drives innovation, operational excellence and profitable growth by supporting the efficient use of resources and performance of NPI's businesses.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and develop a team focused on technique and processes, while promoting a healthy and safe work environment and ensuring compliance with company health and safety standards.
• Support workforce planning, resource allocation and team development in collaboration with the Engineering Manager and Human Resources.
• Lead technical support activities by developing and providing technical documentation, proposals and application support to internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain and strengthen core engineering skills within the product line, ensuring consistent application of best practices.
• Use advanced engineering tools and methodologies (e.g. 3D printing, FEA, mechanization) to provide robust and reliable solutions.
• Ensure accuracy, control and integrity of engineering designs, documentation and related systems, including accountability for design change management processes and ERP data.
• Monitor and drive the execution of NPI activities to meet product requirements, timelines and quality standards, ensuring alignment with the product roadmap and strategy through coordination with product line managers and customer feedback.
• Collaborate with operations and suppliers to improve manufacturing processes.
• Support automation and process improvement initiatives to increase operational efficiency.
• Identify and support value engineering (VAVE) initiatives with a focus on cost optimization and inventory efficiency.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deploy engineering processes and support business objectives.
• Work in partnership with product line managers to ensure alignment between technical solutions and product requirements.
• Collaborate with global engineering and RD&T teams to share best practices and drive continuous improvement.
• Coordinate and support supplier and partnership activities to ensure effective project execution.
• Provide technical expertise in product and technology proposals, business cases and plans.
• Ensure the execution of action plans and key performance indicators (KPIs) related to quality, costs and delivery.
• Prepare and present business and technical reports to senior management and external stakeholders.
• Analyze and monitor project performance, including activities, budgets, costs and forecasts, to assess progress against objectives and team performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Engineering. Required.
• Master’s degree in science or engineering. Favorite.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (approximately 35%) to support business needs.
• Nine (9) years or more of experience, or significant experience managing a team of highly technical employees.

Technical knowledge and skills

• Demonstrate strong technical knowledge in product and manufacturing areas, including 3D modeling and mechanical, electrical and thermal finite element analysis (FEA).
• Apply Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to promote continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regional specifications, standards and certification requirements.
• Support innovation processes, including invention declarations and intellectual property-related activities.

Awareness of compliance and regulatory requirements

• Demonstrate an understanding of export control regulations, fair trade practices, and anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws.
• Ensure alignment with evolving business requirements, regulatory standards and compliance frameworks.
• Analyze and interpret technical documentation, business reports and regulatory requirements to support informed decision-making.

Business and analytical skills

• Use a data and indicator-driven approach to monitor performance and support decision-making.
• Use a structured decision-making framework (e.g. principles-based management) to promote consistent and effective outcomes.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.

Leadership and professional skills

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with the ability to clearly present complex information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills, including a sense of responsibility, accountability and assertive decision-making.
• Support team development through coaching, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Establish credibility as a technical leader and maintain strong cross-functional collaboration.

Benefits

Controlled goods and technologies

In this position, you will be required to examine, handle or transfer highly confidential equipment and technology, including technical data or technical assistance (such as instructions, training, etc.), classified as controlled goods. These goods are of military or strategic importance, are essential to national security and are strictly regulated under the Defense Production Act (DPA) and the Controlled Goods Regulations (CGR) under Canada's Controlled Goods Program (CGP).

As a condition precedent to any offer of employment, you must agree to submit to a security assessment conducted by the designated agent of Smiths Interconnect Canada, in accordance with the requirements of the PMC and LPD. This assessment includes verifying proof of your Citizenship or permanent resident status, your place of residence, criminal record and other security checks. Disclosure of controlled goods to unauthorized persons is a criminal offense under Canadian law. You must therefore strictly comply with all Canadian laws applicable to controlled goods.

Impact: Planning and decision-making

• Decisions have a significant impact on the overall success or failure of the products for which the person is responsible.
• The Molex decision-making framework and the principle of Principle-Based Management constitute the foundations according to which the person holding the position must arbitrate decisions and move projects forward.
• Incorrect decisions or recommendations can result in critical delays or significant changes to company projects or operations, resulting in significant expenditures of time, resources and funds.
• Ability to make effective and timely decisions in a complex environment, gathering and analyzing critical information.
• Demonstrate a natural ability to adapt and demonstrate flexibility to support disciplined strategic evolution.
• Scope, complexity and impact
• Establishes policies appropriate to the role.
• Interprets company policies and practices and recommends required changes.
• Delegates and supervises authority related to new designs as well as existing designs.
• Maintains knowledge of all designs and is able to challenge and support technical specialists to overcome challenges.
• Collaborates with multiple sites and teams located in different geographic regions.

Relationships

• Engineering Manager: To ensure alignment of engineering priorities, technical execution and team direction.
• Product line management: to ensure alignment of product requirements, specifications and technical solutions.
• Operations/Manufacturing: to coordinate design for manufacturing, process integration and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Quality Team: to collaborate on compliance, validation and quality requirements.
• Supply Chain/Procurement: participation in supplier selection, definition of technical requirements and improvement of supplier performance.
• Test Engineering: To coordinate validation activities, testing strategies and product qualifications.
• NPI/Project Management: to ensure alignment of timelines, deliverables and successful new product launches.

Health, safety and environmental requirements

• Must be able to sit for long periods of time, a minimum of two (2) consecutive hours.
• Must be able to move around office and manufacturing environments.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 10 pounds in accordance with handling guidelines.
• Must be able to bend, stretch, kneel, turn and grasp objects at work station.
• Must possess the manual dexterity and coordination necessary to operate office and technical equipment.
• Must be able to manage multiple objectives simultaneously and reallocate priorities as needed.
• Must be able to adapt to changing priorities and successfully complete tasks despite frequent interruptions.
• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand French and English.
• Must be able to respond to visual and auditory stimuli, including close vision, peripheral vision, color recognition and focus adjustment.
• Perform all tasks in a safe manner and adhere to all health and safety requirements in support of company objectives.
• Respect environmental requirements at all times in order to support the company's environmental performance objectives.
• Complete and actively participate in all other required environmental, health and safety (ESS) training.
• The work is primarily performed in an office and manufacturing environment, with occasional presence at client sites.

The work environment is generally located in a Molex facility during regular or extended business hours, including offices, manufacturing plants and repair centers. The noise level in the work environment is usually high and the wearing of approved personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory on the production floor.

• Why Smiths Interconnect, a Molex company?
• Global Impact: Be part of Smiths Inerconnect, a Molex company, a global engineering leader, and contribute to innovative technologies with real impact.
• Career Development: Opportunities for professional development and advancement within Smiths Interconnect and the Smiths Group.
• Culture of innovation: Join a collaborative and innovative team where your ideas and contributions are valued and rewarded.
• Competitive compensation: We offer a competitive salary, benefits program and performance-related incentives.
• Location: Kirkland is a dynamic business center located in the West of Montreal, offering easy access to major highways, the international airport and downtown. It is an ideal place for professionals, combining a strong industrial presence with an excellent quality of life.
• We believe that diversity of perspectives and backgrounds is essential to business success.
• Error 500 (Server Error)!!1500.That’s an error.There was an error. Please try again later.That’s all we know.

About the Company

Smiths Interconnect, a Molex company, is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of high-performance interconnect solutions. Our products are used in critical applications in sectors such as aerospace, defense, telecommunications and industrial. At Smiths Interconnect, we are committed to innovation, quality and the development of cutting-edge solutions that connect the world's most demanding systems.