job_042011a: VP PD Eng, WET Design (Los Angeles, cA)

From: Kristin Burns <kristin.burns_at_stanford.edu>
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:15:01 -0700

Position Specification
Vice President, Product Design Engineering - WET Design
<http://wetdesign.com/>http://wetdesign.com/

Our Client

Based in Los Angeles, CA, WET Design, the world•s
pioneer and leader in fountaintechnology and
innovation, was launched in 1983 by former Disney
imagineers MarkFuller, Melanie Simon, and Alan
Robinson. WET Design is globally recognized for
high profile, critically acclaimed projects,
including: The Fountains of Bellagio in Las
Vegas, Brooklyn Museum in New York City, Dubai
Fountain in UAE, The Columbus CircleFountains in
New York City, The Tokyo Dome Fountain in Tokyo,
and The Navy PierFountain in Chicago, among many
others. Working in collaboration with developers,
architects, leaders and visionaries, WET deploys
its expertise in water, art, design, physics,
engineering, architecture, technology,
choreography, and nature•s other elements to
deliver a one-of-a-kind imaginative experience
for its clients, patrons, and visitors. WET
Design works to understand each client•s unique
needs, environment, geography and context in
order to deliver a customized result that is
right for each client. In initial design and
collaboration, WET uses illustration, drawings,
animation, and model making to conceptualize and
communicate the direction and vision of each
project. Bycreating full-scale mock-ups, WET is
able to test mechanical deployments,
optimizeperformance, and ensure the project is in
line with the initial vision. Then through use of
a library of materials, WET finds the right
balance of pattern, color, texture to strike
theright schematic design for each feature•s
surroundings. With its team of top engineers, WET
provides detailed mapping of architectural,
electrical, and mechanical systems to guarantee
flawless execution of each feature. To ensure
each project•s character, performance, and
quality, each component in every feature is
manufactured and testedby WET in California.
Ultimately, the construction and installation of
the feature is overseen by WET.

WET Design is unparalleled in its field and
continues to innovate beyond what•s imaginable
through the work of its more than 200
exceptionally talented and passionate
about-what-they-do people. At WET the boundaries
between departments and resourcegroups are
exceptionally permeable. They have product
engineers, electrical engineers, physicists,
graphic designers, software architects and
building architects, mechanical engineers,
hydraulic engineers, chemists and special effects
designers, Academy Award winners, landscape
architects, a multitude of designers,
programmers, inventors, animators, and
choreographers. It•s a rich environment unlike
any other with studios, labs, shops and
playgrounds fostering innovative thinking and
collaboration with peoplewho have areas of
knowledge you have likely never even thought
about. WET is an environment for people who love
creating as a team, for whom “limit” is only a
mathematical concept and for whom “fluid” is a state of mind.

WET Design currently seeks a talented Vice
President of Product Design Engineeringwho can
lead its Product Design Engineering department to new heights.

The Role

The Vice President of Product Design Engineering
(PDE) will lead, direct, and inspire a group of
anywhere from 8 – 15 diverse engineers and
technical designers, in collaboration with the
company•s visual and experiential designers, to
develop devices, new products, and prototypes,
ensuring fantastic results combined with a
discipline forbudget and time constraints. The
engineering studio is organized in teams, and
isintegrated with the product designers.
Everything WET creates is designed and built
inhouse, so the PDE group must immerse itself in
the full product cycle, from imaginationthrough
fabrication. This is a leadership and management
position, but is also very hands-on. The Vice
President of PDE will collaborate and coordinate
with productdesign, architecture and R&D teams.
S/he will be expected to implement and improve
company processes, but will also have the
flexibility and foresight to change direction when needed.

Reporting Relationship: This position reports directly to the CEO

Principle Accountabilities:

• Drive engineering group innovation, inventiveness, and efficiency
• Provide leadership in complex problem
resolution, including technical, logistical, and
personnel issues
• Demonstrate confidence, establish credibility,
and develop loyalty through leading by
example
• Define project requirements and planning project lifecycle deployment
• Work in collaboration with designers, architects and R&D
• Implement process, systems, and procedures, for
engineering workflow, including progresstracking,
technical documentation, and revision control
• Evolve the product engineering staff to ensure
enhanced skill capabilities and expertise

Core Competencies:

• Driving vision, passion, and purpose
• Building effective teams
• Problem solving
• Functional/technical competency
• Building trust and credibility

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will have 10 or more
years of experience in a product engineering
leadership role. This individual will have deep and diverse innovative
leadership experience with demonstrated success
in managing products ranging intechnological and
mechanical complexity, including but not limited
to: robotics, laseroptics, controls, structural
hydraulic, software, hardware, electrical /
physical mechanics, injection molding,
die-casting, compression molding, sheet metal,
extrusions and surface finishing. S/he must be a
big thinker and doer who can collaborate
effectively withproduct design, architecture, and
R&D teams. The successful candidate will
have experience leading projects from a concept
through the execution of a finished product. The
successful candidate must be able to understand a
vision, and, through problemsolving and
imagination, create solutions and remove barriers
in order to achieve an end goal. S/he must be
intimately familiar with implementing predictive
modeling and simulation as an integral part of
the design and engineering process.

Requirements:

• At least ten years experience successfully
leading a product design engineering team inthe
areas of mechanics, hydraulics, and electronics
from concept to product execution
• A diversity of product experience
• A bachelor•s degree in mechanical engineering,
electrical engineering, material science,
or possibly physics; An advanced degree is preferred
• Familiarity with SolidWorks

Personal Characteristics:

• A hands-on, creative, problem solver who loves experimentation
• Intellectual curiosity
• An intuitive mechanical troubleshooter
• An appreciation for design and aesthetics
• A strong visual and verbal communicator who can
translate complex technical concepts
simply and clearly to team members
• Process oriented, but can also think and move with alacrity
• A passion for contribution to great things that impact the world

Compensation

In keeping with the importance of this position,
our client is offering a competitive salary,
plus attractive benefits.

Contact:

Baillie Parker
Converge Search
<mailto:baillie_at_convergesearch.com>baillie<mailto:baillie_at_convergesearch.com>@convergesearch.com




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Received on 2011-04-20 14:14:48

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