Position Summary
The Director of Innovation leads TPI's technology development function, driving the creation and maturation of new and emerging technologies for composite wind blade design, materials, and manufacturing. This role owns the full technology pipeline — from early-stage concept and low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) research through TRL 8/9 qualification and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) 6 production implementation — while also scouting, evaluating, and deploying existing external technologies and solutions with applicability to TPI's production process. The Director builds and leads a team of engineers and technologists, sets the technology roadmap, and partners closely with engineering, operations, quality, and program management to convert innovation into measurable production impact.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead, build, and develop a team responsible for the development of new and low-TRL technologies across materials, processes, tooling, and automation for composite wind blade manufacturing.
- Own technology maturation from concept through TRL 8/9 and MRL 6, establishing and managing stage-gate processes, milestones, and go/no-go criteria for each development program.
- Identify, evaluate, and vet existing technologies and solutions (internal or external to TPI) for applicability and transferability to current production processes; lead build-vs-buy-vs-partner assessments.
- Establish and maintain a technology roadmap aligned with business strategy, customer requirements, and manufacturing capability needs.
- Champion the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning methods to accelerate technology development, modeling, process optimization, and decision-making.
- Direct experimental design, testing, characterization, and numerical/physical modeling required to validate new technologies prior to production release.
- Partner with Advanced Manufacting, engineering, operations, quality, and program management to plan and execute technology transitions into serial production with minimal risk.
- Manage technology development budgets, timelines, resourcing, and external partnerships (universities, suppliers, national labs, technology vendors).
- Build and protect TPI's intellectual property portfolio through disciplined invention disclosure, patent strategy, and technical documentation.
- Develop business cases, cost-benefit analyses, and ROI models to prioritize and justify technology investments to senior leadership.
- Mentor and develop engineering and technical staff, growing organizational capability in technology development, AI application, and composites manufacturing.
- Represent TPI's technology function with customers, suppliers, industry groups, and at technical conferences.
- Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.
Required Qualifications (Education, Skills, and Experience)
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Materials, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field required; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum 10-15 years of progressive experience in technology/product development, R&D, or advanced manufacturing engineering, including significant experience leading technical teams or programs.
- Demonstrated experience taking technologies through formal TRL/MRL (or equivalent stage-gate) maturation processes from concept to production.
- Required AI literacy: demonstrated hands-on experience applying artificial intelligence and/or machine learning tools and techniques to engineering, R&D, or manufacturing problems, and working knowledge of how AI can be applied to accelerate technology development.
- Strong background in composites, materials science, or advanced manufacturing processes; wind blade or wind energy industry experience strongly preferred.
- Proven ability to scout, assess, and integrate third-party or existing technologies into an operating production environment.
- Experience with numerical modeling, simulation, CAE/FEA tools, and experimental test design and characterization.
- Strong leadership, team-building, and people-development skills, with experience managing engineers and technologists.
- Ability to build and present business cases, technology roadmaps, and budget justifications to executive leadership.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills; verbal and written fluency in English.
- Strong critical thinking, problem analysis, and hands-on, practical problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work effectively across a distributed, global organization and with cross-functional/multidisciplinary teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Direct experience in wind blade design, composites manufacturing, or renewable energy technology development.
- Track record of patents, publications, or other intellectual property contributions.
- Experience developing or deploying custom AI/ML models (e.g., predictive modeling, computer vision for defect detection, process optimization algorithms).
- Formal program/project management training or certification (e.g., PMP).
- Experience managing external partnerships with universities, national labs, or technology suppliers.
- Familiarity with CAD/CAM and simulation tools such as ABAQUS or CATIA.
Travel Requirements
This position requires approximately 25-50% travel, depending on project needs, including visits to TPI manufacturing facilities, supplier and technology partner sites, testing facilities, and industry conferences. Travel may include both domestic and international destinations.
Location
This position is remote-eligible. Candidates based near El Paso, Texas are preferred, but highly qualified remote candidates will be considered.