Director, R&D Mechanical Engineering
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 4,100 associates, the company’s products are sold at key retailers, online and offline, and through distributors around the world.
Director, R&D Mechanical Engineering
OVERVIEW:
SharkNinja is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director of R&D Mechanical Engineering to lead and grow SharkNinja's R&D Engineering organization. This leader must excel as both a seasoned engineer and a strategic people leader, personally driving technical excellence on key initiatives while building and inspiring a high-performing team of engineers. The Director will be accountable for "how things work" across Ninja's product portfolio, championing the development and integration of breakthrough technologies that deliver consumer-delighting performance at scale.
As an engineer, this person brings deep, intuitive mastery of physics and engineering fundamentals, with a track record of translating complex, ambiguous problems into elegant solutions. They set the technical standard for the team equally at home hacking together a prototype in the lab or aligning stakeholders in a design review. They champion a "fail fast, learn fast" culture, ensuring their team rapidly condenses problems to core requirements and iterates with speed and rigor.
As a director, this person shapes R&D strategy across multiple concurrent programs, partnering closely with senior cross-functional leaders to align technology development with business priorities. They build organizational capability hiring, developing, and retaining engineering talent and cultivate a culture of curiosity, accountability, and continuous improvement. They represent R&D engineering at the leadership level and influence product direction from early concept through mass production.
ATTRIBUTES & SKILLS:
- Proven ability to define technical strategy across a portfolio of programs, connecting first-principles engineering thinking to broader business and consumer outcomes
- Deep command of mechanical engineering and physics fundamentals heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and mechanical design with the credibility to guide and elevate a team of engineers
- Exceptional analytical rigor, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving technical risk before it becomes business risk
- Executive-level communication skills the ability to translate complex technical concepts for senior non-technical stakeholders, and to represent R&D engineering with clarity and confidence
- Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity, manage competing priorities across multiple programs, and keep teams focused without losing sight of longer-term goals
- Strong leadership presence able to inspire, challenge, and develop engineers at all levels, while building a team culture of intellectual honesty and high performance
- Experience driving organizational growth: recruiting top talent, building team structure, and developing career paths for engineers
QUALIFICATIONS:
- BS or MS in Engineering (Mechanical or similar discipline); advanced degree a plus
- 10+ years of progressive experience in product development or a related field, with significant leadership responsibility in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment
- Demonstrated success leading a team of engineers across multiple concurrent projects, from early-stage technology exploration through mass production
- Proven track record of building and scaling high-performing engineering teams, including hiring, mentoring, and developing engineering talent
- Hands-on experience with mechanical and/or electrical fabrication (power tools, sheet metal, electrical wiring) and familiarity with electronics and components common in small appliances (sensors, motors, heaters, PCBAs, etc.)
- Proficiency with test equipment, data analysis tools, and CAD fundamentals
- Advanced proficiency in Excel or equivalent tools for organizing and analyzing test data
- Due to the hands-on nature of this role working with prototypes, this position is on-site at our Needham, MA office
Salary and Other Compensation: The annual salary range for this position is displayed below. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts (HSA) with company contribution, 401(k) retirement plan with matching, employee stock purchase program, life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, generous paid time off, company holidays, parental leave, identity theft protection, pet insurance, pre-paid legal insurance, back-up child and eldercare days, product discounts, referral bonus program, and more.
Pay Range
$127,500 - $185,000 USD
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.
Learn more about us:
Life At SharkNinja
Outrageously Extraordinary
SharkNinja Candidate Privacy Notice
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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
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