Director, Bourns Advanced Research, Development & Test Lab

Director, Bourns Advanced Research, Development & Test Lab (“Lab”)

Bourns is seeking a highly motivated, technically minded individual, to lead the Bourns Advanced Research, Development & Test Lab located at its headquarters in Riverside, California. Reporting directly to the Vice President, Corporate Development & Strategy, this position will be responsible for identifying, incubating, and accelerating breakthrough technologies and product solutions that align with our long-term strategic goals. The ideal candidate will combine technical expertise with strong business acumen, natural curiosity to solve technical challenges, and a passion for innovation.

Key responsibilities will be to lead a centralized team focused on developing new product solutions, advancing cross-divisional technologies solutions, and supporting strategic growth initiatives. This role is pivotal in transforming the Bourns lab into a high-impact innovation engine that balances billable engineering services with strategic technology development and talent cultivation.

It is expected that the individual will work in close partnership with the operating divisions’ engineering leadership teams, divisional product line leaders and corporate strategy function to identify areas which can be supported by the Lab to accelerate product and technology roadmaps.

The individual will also serve as a thought leader and expert on material sciences and support the divisions on an as-needed basis to trouble shoot problems and provide guidance and expertise to solve engineering challenges.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Define and execute the lab’s strategic roadmap in alignment with corporate growth objectives and divisional needs.


• Identify and pursue “white-space” opportunities through innovation, including new technologies and product platforms not currently addressed by existing divisions.


• Serve as a thought partner to product line and divisional leaders on disruptive technologies and innovation


• Ensure the Lab’s focus remains relevant and strategically sound.

• Technology Incubation

• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, materials, and processes with transformative potential.


• Lead early-stage prototyping, feasibility studies, and proof-of-concept development.


• Collaborate with internal business units to transition successful concepts into product development pipelines using the traditional technology readiness and maturation cycle.

• Team Building & Management

• Build and lead a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technologists.


• Foster a culture of creativity, experimentation, and rapid iteration.


• Manage lab operations, budgets, and external partnerships.


• Create a learning environment for interns, recent graduates, and high-potential employees through mentorship and exposure to company-wide technologies


• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, adaptability, and resilience in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.

• External Engagement

• Foster relationships with universities, startups, research institutions, and industry consortia.


• Represent the company at conferences, technical forums, and innovation summits.

• Governance & Reporting

• Develop and implement departmental processes, KPIs and reporting framework to drive optimal usage of human and capital resources


• Present findings and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (PhD or MS) in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related field.


• Strong understanding of technology trends in electronic components and sensors


• Ability to manage cross-functional teams and complex technical programs.


• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and strategic thinking skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in or with corporate innovation labs, incubators, or venture arms.


• Familiarity with IP strategy, technology scouting, and open innovation models.


• Background in both hardware and software development environments.

Preferred Attributes

• Visionary thinking with the ability to translate strategy into actionable innovation.


• Demonstrated success in leading change and navigating organizational transformation.


• Familiarity with regulatory standards and quality systems.

Bourns Values

Fact-based thinking

Forward looking

Ownership & commitment

Customer focus

Ethics & integrity

Thoughtfulness

Location

This position is based in Bourns’ corporate headquarters in Riverside, California.

Hiring Range 

$170,000 - $180,000