Director, Global Hearing Protection and Protective Communication R&D

Strategic Leadership

Set and execute the technical vision and strategy that is aligned with global business objectives and growth initiatives.
Translate business priorities into actionable, resourced, and measurable R&D plans, balancing innovation with compliance, product maintenance and cost optimization.

People and Organizational Development

Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of product development and test engineers across multiple skillsets in project management, acoustics, mechanical design, electronics hardware, embedded firmware, product engineering, advanced development and the associated functional laboratories required.
Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Program Oversight and Execution

• Direct portfolio execution of NPI programs, global regulatory certification projects, product engineering, and cost/productivity initiatives.
  Ensure technical rigor, risk management, and quality outcomes throughout the development lifecycle.
• Partner with Marketing, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Global Labs, and Business Leadership to drive customer-centric innovation and ensure readiness for global commercialization.
• Maintain alignment and compliance with global regulatory and standards bodies for personal protective equipment.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Marketing, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Global Labs, and Business Leadership to drive customer-centric innovation and ensure readiness for global commercialization.
• Maintain alignment and compliance with global regulatory and standards bodies for personal protective equipment.

Operational and Financial Management

• Own laboratory budgets, resource planning, capital investment, and R&D vendor management.
• Support the annual strategic planning process in partnership with the Lab Operating Committee (LOC), ensuring portfolio priorities and commercialization plans align with division strategy.
• Continuously improve accredited test lab efficiency, capability, and throughput using Lean and digital tools (e.g., PowerApps, digital test requests, lab scheduling systems, AI).
• Continuously improve special builds capability reacting to Customer requests and requirements.

Technology and Intellectual Property

• Maintain fluency in core and adjacent technologies. Guide development of proprietary solutions and patent filings in partnership with 3M Legal.
• Serve as a technical mentor and thought leader across businesses, anticipating industry trends and identifying key innovation opportunities.
• Serve as a key member of the Lab Operating Committee (LOC), contributing to strategic, operational, and portfolio decisions for the division.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Science or Engineering (completed and verified prior to start)
• Three (3) years of product development leadership experience in a private, public, government or military environment
• Three (3) years of supervisory/management experience

Additional Qualifications

• Background in Acoustics and Acoustical Measurement Techniques
• Understanding of global hearing protection regulatory standards and requirements
• Background in Mechanical Design methodologies including injection molding and tool design
• Background in Materials Science including Dynamic properties of materials
• Background in electronic product design and development
• Background in electronic product embedded firmware development and qualification
• Significant Commercialization leadership of government regulated products
• Global product development and laboratory management experience
• Experience in Scrum/Agile implementation and practices
• Significant Front End (Insights) Innovation experience
• Significant International 3M experience and understanding of the 3M matrix
• Significant Process improvement experience such as six sigma, Kaizen, scrum processes