Product Development Manager

This position can report to any Delta Star plant location or the Corporate office (Lynchburg, VA, San Carlos, CA, or Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, QC)

Summary

Delta Star Inc. is seeking a strategic and customer-focused Product Development Manager to identify, evaluate, and develop new market opportunities, products, and services that support the company’s long-term growth objectives. This role serves as a critical link between market intelligence, business strategy, engineering, research and development, and manufacturing operations. By translating customer needs and market trends into innovative solutions, the Product Development Manager helps drive product development initiatives from concept through commercialization and launch.

What You’ll Do

As the Product Development Manager, you will lead efforts to identify growth opportunities, evaluate emerging technologies, and develop strategies that expand Delta Star’s market presence. You’ll partner across Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, and R&D to ensure new products and services meet customer needs while aligning with operational capabilities and business objectives.

A Day in the Life

Your day may include analyzing market trends within the power distribution industry, meeting with customers to better understand emerging needs, collaborating with Engineering on a new product concept, or reviewing financial models for a potential growth initiative.

You’ll work with cross-functional teams to advance projects through the development lifecycle, coordinate commercialization activities, and help ensure successful product launches that create value for customers and the business.

Specific Duties

• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify trends, customer demands, regulatory developments, and emerging opportunities.
• Evaluate market gaps and develop recommendations for new products, services, and business opportunities.
• Support the development of market expansion strategies aligned with company growth objectives.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to assess the technical feasibility, operational readiness, and business value of potential opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, industry organizations, and technical communities.
• Identify and evaluate strategic partnerships that support innovation and growth initiatives.
• Partner with Research & Development and Engineering teams to evaluate and develop new technologies, products, and services.
• Develop and manage product development roadmaps, project plans, and key milestones.
• Lead product development initiatives from concept through commercialization and market launch.
• Coordinate prototype development, testing, proof-of-concept activities, customer evaluations, and product validation efforts.
• Perform financial analysis, forecasting, budgeting, and return-on-investment (ROI) evaluations.
• Monitor project performance to ensure initiatives meet schedule, budget, quality, and strategic objectives.
• Facilitate collaboration across Sales, Marketing, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, and other functional teams.
• Develop and present business cases, recommendations, and project updates to leadership teams.
• Support continuous improvement efforts related to innovation, commercialization, and business growth.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a strategic thinker who can combine technical expertise, market insight, and business acumen to identify and commercialize new opportunities. The ideal candidate is passionate about innovation, understands customer needs, and can successfully navigate cross-functional environments to bring new products and services to market.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering required.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in power transformer design/manufacturing, product development, research and development, business development, strategic planning, or a related field.
• Experience within manufacturing, power distribution, electrification, utility, renewable energy, or industrial markets preferred.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects from concept through commercialization preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of product development processes, market analysis, innovation management, and business strategy.
• Knowledge of power distribution, utility infrastructure, electrification, renewable energy, and related industrial markets preferred.
• Ability to translate market intelligence into actionable growth strategies and business opportunities.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting, ROI analysis, and business case development.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Understanding of manufacturing operations, product commercialization, and go-to-market processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and business analysis tools.

Travel Requirements

Domestic and international travel as required to support customer engagement, market research, industry conferences, business development activities, strategic partnerships, and product development initiatives.

Why Our Employees Join, Grow, and Stay

At Delta Star, you will find more than a job. You will join a team that values people, supports growth, and trusts you to make an impact. Whether you're on the shop floor, in the field, or in the office, you will work alongside talented people to solve meaningful challenges, power communities, and build a rewarding career. With opportunities to learn, advance, and contribute, plus a culture built on respect, teamwork, and work-life balance, Delta Star is a place where you can thrive for the long term

Benefits That Support You

We believe that a rewarding career starts with feeling supported both at work and at home. That's why we offer a competitive total rewards package designed to support your health, financial well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance. Eligible employees have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement savings programs, paid time off, life and disability protection, wellness resources, employee assistance programs, and additional voluntary benefits that help you and your family thrive.

Pay Transparency

We are committed to fair and transparent pay practices. Compensation for this position will be determined within the posted salary range based on factors such as candidate qualifications, relevant experience, internal equity, market competitiveness, skills, and certifications. For union-represented roles, pay is established by the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO Statement

Delta Star is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.