Director of Product Mgt and Application Engineering-26-BTG-960

Bird is recognized as the expert in RF communications, measurement and management providing innovative RF products, systems, services and educational solutions to the wireless industry. Our employees enjoy working for a privately owned manufacturing business where their contributions make a great impact. Bird offers a competitive wage/benefit package, including medical/dental/vision, basic life, short term and long term disability, paid parental leave, 401K, tuition assistance, and gainshare bonus.  

This position is on site in Solon, Ohio.

PURPOSE OF POSITION: 

Leads Bird Technologies' product strategy, product portfolio, and applications engineering function. This role serves as the primary link between customers, Sales & Marketing, Product Management, Engineering, Operations, and executive leadership to ensure Bird develops and delivers market-leading solutions that drive growth, profitability, and customer success. The successful candidate combines strong product management expertise with technical leadership, customer insight, and commercial acumen to guide products through their entire lifecycle, from market opportunity and development to launch, growth, and end-of-life management. . 

GENERAL FUNCTIONS / SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Product Strategy & Portfolio Management:

•    Develop and execute the company's product strategy, roadmap, and portfolio priorities.

•    Manage the full product lifecycle, including market assessment, development, launch, growth, and retirement.

•    Identify new product, acquisition, partnership, and portfolio optimization opportunities.

•    Establish business cases, financial targets, and resource requirements for product investments.

•    Monitor product performance and recommend actions to improve growth, profitability, and competitive positioning.

Market Intelligence & Customer Engagement:

•    Maintain deep knowledge of target markets, customer applications, and competitive dynamics.

•    Gather and translate customer and market insights into product opportunities and strategic initiatives.

•    Partner with Sales & Marketing to identify emerging trends, customer needs, and growth opportunities.

•    Participate in customer meetings, strategic account reviews, industry events, and trade shows.

Applications Engineering Leadership

•    Lead and develop the Applications Engineering team as a strategic, customer-facing technical resource.

•    Support sales efforts through technical consultation, solution development, demonstrations, and customer engagement.

•    Identify recurring customer requirements that drive product enhancements and new product development.

•    Establish processes for capturing and sharing application knowledge across the organization.

New Product Development & Commercialization

•    Define market, customer, and product requirements for new product development initiatives.

•    Partner with Engineering to prioritize projects and ensure alignment with market needs.

•    Lead product launch planning, positioning, pricing, and commercialization strategies.

•    Enable sales success through product training, technical documentation, and competitive insights.

•    Track launch effectiveness and drive adoption of new products.

Financial & Business Leadership

•    Develop pricing strategies in partnership with Sales and Finance.

•    Monitor portfolio profitability, margins, and return on investment.

•    Recommend product and resource investments that support strategic and financial objectives.

People Leadership

•    Recruit, coach, and develop high-performing Product Management and Applications Engineering teams.

•    Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and regular portfolio and functional reviews.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

•    Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field.

•    10+ years of experience in product management, applications engineering, technical sales, engineering, or a combination of these disciplines.

•    Demonstrated experience managing technical products in a B2B environment.

•    Strong understanding of product lifecycle management and new product development.

•    Strong customer-facing and communication skills.

•    Ability to understand complex technical products and translate technical capabilities into customer value.`

•    Demonstrated leadership and cross-functional management experience.

•    Strong analytical, financial, and business-planning skills.

Preferred:

•    Experience in RF, microwave, wireless communications, electronic test equipment, power measurement, or related technologies.

•    Experience working with industrial, defense, aerospace, or electronics customers.

•    Experience managing a technical product portfolio.

•    MBA or advanced technical degree.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Ability to operate computer and keyboard. Able to use phone; communicate using speech; hearing and vision skills; sit or stand for moderate periods of time. Able to travel as needed.

EEO/M/F/VET/DISABILITY EMPLOYER

Bird Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local law.