R&D Director – Floorcare

Nilfisk

R&D Director responsible for technical strategy and leadership in electromechanical floorcare products across Europe. Collaborating with international teams to drive innovation and product development.

Posted 4/22/2026full-timeNagykanizsa • 🇭🇺 HungaryLeadWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

IoT

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the technical strategy, architecture, and evolution of scrubber dryer and sweeper platforms.
Ensure platforms meet performance, safety, durability, and regulatory requirements across global markets.
Lead structured lifecycle management, including cost optimization, quality improvements, and end-of-life planning.
Drive modular platform architectures enabling reuse, scalability, and efficient variant creation.
Lead, coach, and develop multi-disciplinary engineering teams in Hungary and Italy.
Build strong technical alignment with Technology teams in China and Hadsund, ensuring shared standards, component roadmaps, and coordinated development.
Oversee cross-site execution, resource planning, and engineering processes to ensure consistent delivery.
Translate customer needs and market trends in commercial cleaning into actionable technical strategies.
Guide development of new technologies such as battery systems, brushless motors, water management systems, squeegee and brush technologies, suction systems, and digital/IoT features.
Oversee prototyping, testing, validation, and industrialization of new solutions.
Ensure robust engineering practices including DFMEA, DFM/DFA, reliability engineering, and compliance with global standards.
Partner with Product Management to define platform roadmaps and feature sets.
Work closely with Operations, Quality, Procurement, and Service to ensure manufacturability, reliability, and serviceability.
Support supplier development and sourcing strategies for key components (motors, batteries, electronics, plastics, mechanical assemblies).

Requirements

What you’ll need

Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of experience in product development or engineering leadership within machinery, appliances, industrial equipment, or similar electromechanical products.
Experience with scrubber dryers, sweepers, or related cleaning equipment is a strong advantage.
Proven success leading multi-site engineering teams in a global environment.
Strong understanding of electromechanical systems, battery technologies, embedded controls, and industrial product development.
Demonstrated ability to drive platform strategy, lifecycle management, and cross-functional execution.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across cultures and time zones.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive compensation
Benefits
Opportunities for international career growth

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

mechanical engineeringelectrical engineeringmechatronicsproduct developmentlifecycle managementDFMEADFM/DFAreliability engineeringbattery technologiesembedded controls

Soft Skills

leadershipcoachingcommunicationstakeholder managementcross-functional collaborationresource planningtechnical alignmentteam developmentproblem-solvingstrategic thinking