Hayward Holdings, Inc.
Hayward Holdings Inc. is the world’s largest manufacturer of residential swimming pool equipment, with a growing presence in the commercial pool market. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, the company operates facilities in the U.S., Canada, Spain, France, Australia, and China. The Director of Engineering, Gas Heaters & Heat Pumps, will lead the engineering organization at the Nashville facility, setting technical direction, executing strategy, and driving product innovation.
Responsibilities
Establish and execute the engineering strategy aligned with corporate growth objectives, product roadmaps, and long‑term technology planning.
Own the technology roadmap for gas heaters and heat pumps, balancing innovation, cost competitiveness, sustainability, and customer needs.
Develop and advance combustion system technology—modular product platform architecture, heat exchanger & burner optimization, control system advancement/innovation, operating efficiency improvements, and ignition control systems—to position Hayward as a market leader in heater performance and reliability.
Partner with executive leadership to translate business goals into measurable engineering actions, priorities, and investment strategies.
Lead planning and prioritization across product lines, ensuring resourcing and funding are aligned with enterprise objectives.
Direct all NPD and Sustaining Engineering programs, ensuring disciplined execution across scope, cost, schedule, and performance.
Enforce rigorous governance of project reviews, technical decisions, and program milestones.
Oversee combustion performance validation, safety testing, thermal characterization, and emissions compliance for all gas‑fired heater products.
Oversee performance validation, safety testing, thermal characterization, and regulatory compliance for all heat pump products.
Drive continuous improvement in development cycle time, product quality, and engineering efficiency.
Establish operating metrics for performance management and continuous improvement.
Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing engineering organization through capability building, succession planning, and performance management.
Create a culture of accountability, innovation, and technical excellence.
Build internal competency in combustion engineering, thermal sciences, and gas‑system safety with particular focus on modeling and simulation of systems.
Identify and develop future leadership talent within the engineering organization.
Foster a strong safety, compliance, and ethics culture.
Serve as the primary engineering leader across manufacturing, quality, supply chain, testing, and program management functions.
Drive collaboration to ensure smooth product transitions from design through production.
Support manufacturing excellence through strong DFM/A practices and continuous engineering engagement.
Partner closely with quality and regulatory teams to ensure heating products meet stringent safety, emissions, and certification requirements.
Direct external engineering resources, development partners, and technology vendors.
Own performance accountability for outsourced development efforts and third‑party engineering services.
Lead make/buy and technology‑partnership decisions.
Engage combustion system suppliers, burner technology innovators, universities, strategic consultants and regulatory bodies to advance product capabilities and maintain compliance.
Ensure all products meet regulatory, safety, and environmental requirements for global markets.
Monitor regulatory trends and proactively align product development strategies with evolving requirements.
Establish risk‑management practices for product, compliance, and execution risk.
Oversee risk mitigation related to combustion hazards, gas‑system integrity, emissions standards, and thermal safety controls.
Drive product differentiation through innovation, platform strategy, cost engineering, and performance enhancement.
Maintain competitive intelligence and industry insight to inform product strategy.
Promote sustainability and energy‑efficient technology integration.
Champion advancements in high efficiency low‑NOx combustion, high COP heat pumps, and other high‑efficiency gas heating solutions.
Qualifications
12+ years of progressive engineering leadership within product development and manufacturing.
8+ years of experience leading multi‑disciplinary engineering teams.
Proven track record of delivering products from concept to commercialization.
Experience working in HVAC, heating systems, thermal management, or closely related industries strongly preferred.
Direct experience with combustion systems, gas burner design, heat exchanger development, ignition technologies, emissions compliance, or gas‑fired appliance development strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience balancing innovation with execution discipline.
Vendor and outsourced engineering management experience preferred.
Strong program governance and executive‑level communication skills.
Requires 10% travel.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline required.
Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field preferred.
Advanced coursework or training in combustion engineering, HVAC, thermodynamics, or fluid mechanics is considered an advantage.
Seniority level Director
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Engineering and Information Technology
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Responsibilities
Establish and execute the engineering strategy aligned with corporate growth objectives, product roadmaps, and long‑term technology planning.
Own the technology roadmap for gas heaters and heat pumps, balancing innovation, cost competitiveness, sustainability, and customer needs.
Develop and advance combustion system technology—modular product platform architecture, heat exchanger & burner optimization, control system advancement/innovation, operating efficiency improvements, and ignition control systems—to position Hayward as a market leader in heater performance and reliability.
Partner with executive leadership to translate business goals into measurable engineering actions, priorities, and investment strategies.
Lead planning and prioritization across product lines, ensuring resourcing and funding are aligned with enterprise objectives.
Direct all NPD and Sustaining Engineering programs, ensuring disciplined execution across scope, cost, schedule, and performance.
Enforce rigorous governance of project reviews, technical decisions, and program milestones.
Oversee combustion performance validation, safety testing, thermal characterization, and emissions compliance for all gas‑fired heater products.
Oversee performance validation, safety testing, thermal characterization, and regulatory compliance for all heat pump products.
Drive continuous improvement in development cycle time, product quality, and engineering efficiency.
Establish operating metrics for performance management and continuous improvement.
Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing engineering organization through capability building, succession planning, and performance management.
Create a culture of accountability, innovation, and technical excellence.
Build internal competency in combustion engineering, thermal sciences, and gas‑system safety with particular focus on modeling and simulation of systems.
Identify and develop future leadership talent within the engineering organization.
Foster a strong safety, compliance, and ethics culture.
Serve as the primary engineering leader across manufacturing, quality, supply chain, testing, and program management functions.
Drive collaboration to ensure smooth product transitions from design through production.
Support manufacturing excellence through strong DFM/A practices and continuous engineering engagement.
Partner closely with quality and regulatory teams to ensure heating products meet stringent safety, emissions, and certification requirements.
Direct external engineering resources, development partners, and technology vendors.
Own performance accountability for outsourced development efforts and third‑party engineering services.
Lead make/buy and technology‑partnership decisions.
Engage combustion system suppliers, burner technology innovators, universities, strategic consultants and regulatory bodies to advance product capabilities and maintain compliance.
Ensure all products meet regulatory, safety, and environmental requirements for global markets.
Monitor regulatory trends and proactively align product development strategies with evolving requirements.
Establish risk‑management practices for product, compliance, and execution risk.
Oversee risk mitigation related to combustion hazards, gas‑system integrity, emissions standards, and thermal safety controls.
Drive product differentiation through innovation, platform strategy, cost engineering, and performance enhancement.
Maintain competitive intelligence and industry insight to inform product strategy.
Promote sustainability and energy‑efficient technology integration.
Champion advancements in high efficiency low‑NOx combustion, high COP heat pumps, and other high‑efficiency gas heating solutions.
Qualifications
12+ years of progressive engineering leadership within product development and manufacturing.
8+ years of experience leading multi‑disciplinary engineering teams.
Proven track record of delivering products from concept to commercialization.
Experience working in HVAC, heating systems, thermal management, or closely related industries strongly preferred.
Direct experience with combustion systems, gas burner design, heat exchanger development, ignition technologies, emissions compliance, or gas‑fired appliance development strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience balancing innovation with execution discipline.
Vendor and outsourced engineering management experience preferred.
Strong program governance and executive‑level communication skills.
Requires 10% travel.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline required.
Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field preferred.
Advanced coursework or training in combustion engineering, HVAC, thermodynamics, or fluid mechanics is considered an advantage.
Seniority level Director
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Engineering and Information Technology
#J-18808-Ljbffr