Director of Product & Process Engineering

Director of Product and Process Engineering & Development

Rubbercraft is seeking an experienced Director of Product and Process Engineering & Development to lead product design, process development, and engineering innovation at our Long Beach, CA facility. This role is responsible for developing advanced products, materials, and manufacturing processes that meet or exceed customer and industry expectations while supporting new business growth.

The Director will lead a team of engineers and collaborate closely with Business Development, Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Program Management, and New Product Introduction (NPI) to drive innovation, improve manufacturability, and support the successful transition of new products into production.

About Rubbercraft: Rubbercraft is a trusted leader in engineered elastomer solutions serving the aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. We design and manufacture precision-molded seals, gaskets, and custom rubber components that perform in the world's most demanding environments. Our culture is built on innovation, collaboration, quality, and customer commitment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of innovative products, materials, and manufacturing processes to support customer requirements, new business opportunities, and organizational growth.
• Drive the creation and development of intellectual property, including trade secrets and patents, related to new products, materials, and processes.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in product and process technology, sharing technical knowledge and best practices across the organization.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing environment.
• Oversee day-to-day engineering activities, including product and tooling design, fixture development, process improvements, and structured problem-solving.
• Partner with Business Development to support new business opportunities, first-time bookings, and technical customer engagements.
• Collaborate directly with customer engineering and design teams to develop innovative solutions utilizing Rubbercraft's technical expertise and intellectual property.
• Support the development of a technology roadmap focused on strengthening Rubbercraft's competitive position through innovation and intellectual property development.
• Lead the preparation and review of Critical Design Reviews (CDRs) for advanced rubber and silicone products used in aerospace, defense, space, and energy applications.
• Mentor engineers in developing technical documentation, engineering analyses, and customer design presentations.
• Analyze engineering data and technical findings to provide sound recommendations and support data-driven decision-making.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and best practices for product and process engineering and development.
• Identify and implement opportunities to reduce scrap, improve molding processes, enhance tooling performance, and increase manufacturing efficiency.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to evaluate production processes, improve manufacturability, and identify cost-reduction opportunities.
• Collaborate with NPI teams to ensure new products, processes, and tooling are production-ready and successfully transitioned from development to full-scale manufacturing.
• Lead tooling and process design initiatives, including improvements to rubber molding, vulcanization, and deflashing processes.
• Provide technical support during customer discussions, proposal development, and bid/no-bid evaluations, including leading the QQF process.
• Partner with Program Management to align engineering deliverables with project timelines, customer requirements, and business objectives.
• Promote the effective use of Salesforce Edge to track new business opportunities, product development activities, and first-time bookings.
• Ensure timely completion of technical customer meeting reports and related documentation in Edge.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment on technical requirements, project objectives, and deliverables.
• Support cross-functional initiatives that improve operational performance, customer satisfaction, and overall business results.
• Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities for direct reports.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred.

Years Experience:

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, product design, or engineering, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in aerospace rubber molding, including molding tool design and improvements to vulcanization, deflashing, and trimming processes.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience applying advanced Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) principles to molding tools and rubber products.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience developing engineering testing and qualification procedures.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience preparing and developing Critical Design Reviews (CDRs).
• Minimum of 3 years of experience conducting technical discussions and presentations with OEM engineering teams within the aerospace and defense industries.

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of rubber molding manufacturing processes, Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE), cost-reduction strategies, and process design for new product introduction.
• Proficiency in CAD applications for product and tooling design.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret engineering data and make informed technical decisions.
• Demonstrated success leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing engineering teams.
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to provide constructive feedback, evaluate performance, and support employee development.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical information to customers and executive leadership.
• Proven ability to make sound, timely decisions in complex or uncertain situations.
• Strong negotiation, facilitation, and consensus-building skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, including data analysis and preparation of technical and executive-level presentations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, manufacturing, operations, and commercial functions.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• This is a fully onsite position based at Rubbercraft's facility in Long Beach, CA.
• Travel of up to 35% may be required to customer locations, supplier facilities, and industry events.
• Work is performed in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Manufacturing areas may require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, masks, and other required safety equipment.
• May be exposed to manufacturing conditions such as noise, dust, fumes, varying temperatures, and confined spaces.
• Physical requirements include approximately 70% sitting and 30% standing, with occasional lifting or pushing of up to 20 pounds.
• Requires regular computer use and visual attention to detailed technical information.

BENEFITS:

At Rubbercraft, we recognize how important your career and benefits are to you and your family. We offer a full suite of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability coverage, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, basic and supplemental life insurance, employee assistance plan, retirement savings and matching, and other developmental opportunities. We are committed to supporting the way you live and work.

RCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to complete the application process may contact Human Resources.

This position requires access to information subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a “U.S. person” as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15), which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, as required by U.S. export control laws.