Vice President of Research & Development (R&D)
Full Time • Hybrid - US
Job Description: Vice President of Research & Development (VP of R&D)
Location: San Jose, California, USA (Designlibro U.SRe)
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Department: Research & Development
Employment Type: Full-time, Executive Leadership
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Department: Research & Development
Employment Type: Full-time, Executive Leadership
Role Overview
The Vice President of Research & Development (R&D) will play a pivotal role in shaping Designlibro’s innovation strategy and driving the development of next-generation smart pet products, IoT solutions, AI-driven devices, and robotics technologies. This leader will oversee a multi-disciplinary, cross-border R&D organisation spanning the U.S. and China, ensuring seamless collaboration and delivering world-class products that delight customers and strengthen our competitive advantage.
Key Responsibilities
1. R&D Strategy & Innovation
- Define and execute a mid-to long-term R&D roadmap aligned with company vision and business objectives.
- Drive innovation in IoT, AI, robotics, and pet health technologies to maintain market leadership.
- Continuously identify and adopt emerging technologies that enhance product differentiation and user experience.
2. Leadership & Organisational Development
- Build, lead, and inspire a global, cross-functional R&D team across hardware, software, embedded systems, AI, and robotics.
- Establish a culture of innovation, accountability, and high performance.
- Recruit and develop top-tier engineering and R&D talent, fostering the next generation of technology leaders.
3. Product Development & Lifecycle Management
- Oversee the end-to-end product lifecycle, from concept and design through prototyping, validation, manufacturing, and iterative improvements.
- Ensure seamless integration between R&D, industrial design, UX/UI, and product management teams.
- Anticipate and resolve technical challenges, balancing speed, quality, and scalability.
4. Project & Resource Management
- Manage multiple large-scale R&D programmes simultaneously, ensuring on-time, on-budget, and high-quality deliverables.
- Own R&D budgeting, resource allocation, and cost optimisation strategies.
- Establish and track OKRs, and performance metrics to drive operational excellence.
5. Cross-functional & Executive Collaboration
- Partner closely with product, supply chain, manufacturing, quality assurance, and marketing teams to ensure organisational alignment.
- Provide technical insight and recommendations for company-wide strategic decisions.
- Represent R&D in executive meetings, investor discussions, and cross-border strategy planning.
Qualifications & Experience
Required
- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, AI, or a related technical discipline.
- 10+ years of progressive R&D leadership experience in smart hardware, IoT, AI, robotics, or consumer electronics, including 3+ years leading teams of 50+ engineers.
- Proven success in taking products from concept to mass production (0→1 innovation and 1→100 scaling).
- Strong technical expertise in embedded systems, connected devices, cloud-enabled platforms, and user-centric hardware solutions.
Preferred
- PhD or international leadership experience in the U.S., Europe, or APAC.
- Previous success launching IoT-enabled consumer electronics at scale.
- Experience integrating AI and robotics technologies into hardware products.
- Familiarity with DFM/DFA, manufacturing operations, and global supply chain strategies.
Key Competencies
- Strategic Leadership — Able to define a visionary R&D strategy and align teams globally.
- Technical Depth & Breadth — Hands-on understanding of emerging technologies and their applications.
- Operational Excellence — Proven ability to scale complex cross-border R&D organisations.
- Innovative Mindset — Passion for building disruptive, user-centric products.
- Business Acumen — Skilled in balancing innovation, cost, and speed-to-market.
- Cultural Agility — Comfortable leading diverse, multi-national engineering teams.
Why Join Us
At Designlibro, we are redefining pet care and smart living by building connected ecosystems powered by innovation. As VP of R&D, you’ll lead a global team, set the technology vision, and deliver products that impact millions of pet owners worldwide. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of smart hardware, IoT, AI, and robotics while driving Designlibro’s next stage of growth.
Compensation & Benefits
Annual Salary Range: $260k - $300k USD
- Competitive executive compensation package (base + performance bonus + equity).
- Comprehensive health, wellness, and family benefits.
- Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.
Flexible work from home options available.
Compensation: $260,000.00 - $3,000,000.00 per year
Since 2019, Petlibro has designed products for the intertwined lives of pets and their people. From smart feeders with health insights to ultra-filtered automatic fountains, our award-winning products are engineered to magnify the bond between your pet and you.
Designed better for your lives together
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