Director, Application Development

Director, Application DevelopmentLead Global Innovation. Shape the Future of Composite Applications. Are you an accomplished engineering leader ready to influence the future of advanced composites on a global scale? We are seeking a Director, Application Development to join our Industrial Solutions Business Unit (ISBU) and play a central role in driving strategic growth, technical excellence, and customer impact across international markets.This is a leadership position with enterprise-wide influence, offering the opportunity to shape global application engineering strategy in Exel fast-growing segments such as wind energy and transportation.Your Role & Strategic ImpactAs Director, Application Development, you will lead our global composite development engineering organization and serve as a key contributor to ISBU’s long‑term growth agenda. Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President, ISBU, you will operate at the intersection of technology, customers, and business strategy, with a mandate to translate innovation into scalable, profitable solutions across all manufacturing locations.You will be a trusted partner to customers, senior leaders, and cross‑functional teams—ensuring our application capabilities support both market leadership and operational excellence worldwide.Key ResponsibilitiesIn this role, you will:Provide global leadership for product development, setting technology direction, development priorities, and ways of working across region.Lead and shape customer engagement during product design and development phases, acting as a senior technical and commercial interface.Drive high-impact, cross-site engineering projects, including tooling and application development initiatives.Own portfolio prioritization and resource allocation to maximize value and speed to market.Develop organizational capability through talent development, training, succession planning, and knowledge sharing.Harmonize tooling, machinery, and application practices globally to ensure scalability and consistency.Strengthen engineering governance, processes, and cost efficiency, with a clear focus on business outcomes.Partner with cross-functional stakeholders on strategic planning, financial performance, and investment decisions.Actively champion our culture, leadership principles, and One Exel mindset, with strong emphasis on engagement and collaboration.Your Background & ExpertiseWe are looking for a leader who combines deep technical credibility with strategic business acumen. You bring:A Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.Extensive international experience (typically 5+ years) in senior engineering or application leadership roles.Strong background in composites, ideally within wind energy, transportation, raw materials, or OEM environments.Proven expertise in wind turbine blade development, composite materials, volume production, and complex project execution is a clear advantage in this postion.A solid understanding of financial performance, including profitability, budgeting, and business case development.The ability to influence, inspire, and communicate at executive level, both internally and externally.A leadership style that is collaborative, consultative, and resilient, with strong cross-cultural effectiveness.Fluency in English; additional languages are an asset.Willingness to travel internationally, particularly to China and India; relocation to China or India is also an option.What we offer you:A leadership role with real influence over global strategy and execution.A seat at the Business Unit Management team, contributing directly to key decisions.The opportunity to lead in high‑growth, future‑oriented industries with strong sustainability impact.A truly international operating environment with diverse teams and cultures.The chance to leave a lasting mark by shaping global application engineering capabilities.Ready to Lead at Scale?If you are motivated by global impact, technical leadership, and shaping the future of advanced composites, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your application and CV (including salary expectations) by March 17, 2026.