VP, R&D Engineering

SharkNinja.com

Office

Needham, MA, United States

Full Time

About Us

SharkNinja is a global product design and technology company, with a diversified portfolio of 5-star rated lifestyle solutions that positively impact people’s lives in homes around the world. Powered by two trusted, global brands, Shark and Ninja, the company has a proven track record of bringing disruptive innovation to market, and developing one consumer product after another has allowed SharkNinja to enter multiple product categories, driving significant growth and market share gains. Headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts with more than 3,600+ associates, the company’s products are sold at key retailers, online and offline, and through distributors around the world.

Overview:

As the VP Research and Development, you will be responsible for overseeing and directing aspects of research, design, and development activities, driving innovation, and ensuring the successful execution of R&D projects aligned with SharkNinja’s goal of positively impacting people’s lives every day. You will put the consumer at the center of everything you do, and lead with an innovative mindset for the business. You are the product’s technical expert/curator: you will ensure a 5-star product and user experience for consumers by driving for the highest performance against the program KPIs. You must have a passion for bringing innovative, successful new products to market, and be a strategic thinker who strives to align category goals and objectives with company mission, moving forward vigorously with consensus. You will be positive, energetic, self-reliant, an agile thinker, a lover of consumer products, action-oriented, and be able to develop and drive a 5-star team that lives and breathes the SharkNinja Success Drivers.

Here are some of the EXCITING things this role delivers:

Leadership: Lead technical projects and influence and guide a cross-functional team. Provide guidance, support, and encouragement to foster a culture of innovation and excellence.
Project Management: Oversee the entire lifecycle of projects from conception to completion as needed. Ensure technical workstreams and development projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality standards.
Research and Innovation: Drive continuous innovation by staying updated with emerging technologies, market trends, and industry advancements. Encourage and facilitate research activities to develop new products, technologies, or processes.
Collaboration and Cross-Functional Coordination: Foster collaboration between AD, R&D, product development, engineering, and other departments to ensure seamless integration of R&D initiatives into product development cycles.
Risk Management: Identify potential risks and challenges in R&D projects and develop mitigation strategies to address them proactively.
Communication and Reporting: Effectively communicate AD/R&D project status, strategies, progress, and outcomes to key stakeholders, executives, and other relevant parties.
Technology Evaluation and Partnerships: Evaluate new technologies, tools, or potential partnerships that could enhance the R&D capabilities and contribute to the company's growth.

Attributes & Skills:

Extensive experience (typically 20+ years) in Engineering/R&D roles, with progressively increasing responsibilities and leadership positions. Prior experience in managing complex projects and leading AD/R&D initiatives is crucial.
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or a related field. Additional business qualifications or an MBA might be beneficial.
Strong leadership and persuasive communication skills
Ability to lead a dynamic, fast-paced, deadline-driven team
A “100% on” consumer-first perspective when it comes to introducing new products/processes or improving current products
Ability to work cross-functionally with product designers, marketing team members, supply chain, quality manufacturing, and test team members across the globe
Demonstrated management skills to lead and energetically motivate direct reports and also members of other teams who contribute to the business unit
Analytical and quantitative skills; experience using hard data and metrics to back up assumptions and develop business cases
Experience leading R&D for products involving Air Flow analysis.

Our Culture

At SharkNinja, we don’t just raise the bar—we push past it every single day. Our Outrageously Extraordinary mindset drives us to tackle the impossible, push boundaries, and deliver results that others only dream of. If you thrive on breaking out of your swim lane, you’ll be right at home.

What We Offer

We offer competitive health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, employee stock purchase options, wellness programs, SharkNinja product discounts, and more. We empower your personal and professional growth with high impact Learning Programs featuring bold voices redefining what’s possible. When you join, you’re not just part of a company—you’re part of an outrageously extraordinary community. Together, we won’t just launch products—we’ll disrupt entire markets.

At SharkNinja, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are vital to our global success. Valuing each unique voice and blending all of our diverse skills strengthens SharkNinja’s innovation every day. We support ALL associates in bringing their authentic selves to work, making an impact, and having the opportunity for career acceleration. With help from our leadership, associates, and our community, we aim to have equity be a key component of the SharkNinja DNA.

SharkNinja's Candidate Privacy Notice can be found here: https://www.sharkninja.com/candidate-privacy-notice/

For candidates based in China, please visit: https://sharkninja.com/candidate-privacy-notice/china/

For candidates based in Vietnam, please visit: https://www.sharkninja.com/candidate-privacy-notice/vietnam/

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other class protected by legislation, and local law. SharkNinja will consider reasonable accommodations consistent with legislation, and local law. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact SharkNinja People & Culture at accommodations@sharkninja.com