Vice President Research & Development

Join us at Portable Air and become part of the incredible yellow team! We are expanding the core of our products and pushing boundaries in a dynamic, innovative environment centered around cutting-edge air compressor technology. If you are excited by growth, innovation, and making an impact, we would love to have you on board. 

Are you ready to shape the future of innovation and lead a global engineering force in the dynamic world of Portable Air? We are looking for a visionary Vice President of Research & Development to join our bold, fast-paced, and innovation-driven team! This is your chance to leave a lasting mark by driving world-class product development across our powerful and growing brands.

Mission:

As the VP of Reserarching & Development (Engineering), you will be at the forefront of breakthrough innovations, cutting-edge technologies, and next-level reliability. From shrinking time-to-market to building smarter portable air compressors, boosters, nitrogen generators and other products. You will lead the charge in delivering high-performance solutions that define the industry. Side-by-side with the VP of Marketing, you will shape the future of our portfolio—balancing continuous improvement with game-changing new ideas.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement an R&D strategy to support the product road map. 
• Drive a forward-thinking technology strategy focusing on innovation and speed.
• Ensure that the global team delivers new products to the market in the most efficient manner.
• Empower and align high-performing engineering teams across the globe.
• Manage, train, motivate, coach people and develop competences of the global R&D team. 
• Drive standardization, part re-use, and process excellence across Portable Air Division.
• Take the role of the chairman in Product Committee Meetings to set clear governance and strategic direction.
• Partner with Operations to optimize production capabilities worldwide.
• Integrate Design for Manufacturing principles for smarter, faster, cleaner production.
• Champion sustainability by ensuring accurate Scope 3 emissions reporting.

Experience:

• You should have a proven track record in engineering and leadership.
• Deep expertise in engineering techniques and product development.
• Bonus points for experience in diesel machinery and renewables.

Knowledge and Education:

• The successful candidate has a university degree in Engineering or similar.
• Post Graduation or MBA will be considered a plus.
• Fluent in English, both verbal and written.

Personality Requirements: 

• A passion for technology, relentless drive for results.
• People centric leadership and team player with the ability to effectively collaborate across boundaries. 

• You will have a key role in the Divisional Management Team and as such will be a team player. 

• You value high standards, always finding better ways and not compromising on quality. 

• You are customer-focused, and you embrace entrepreneurial thinking on all the way from identifying the customer needs to bringing the added value.

• You are resilient & agile and you find opportunities in an ever-changing environment.

• You are open-minded & collaborative to accept new ideas, can learn from mistakes, willing to work in team. 

• You are result-oriented, with “can do” attitude ready to go beyond the job description scope to find the best solution. 

City: Antwerp, Belgium

Hiring Manager: Hendrik Timmermans

Recruiter: Elaine Vasconcelos

Last day to apply: May 12th, 2025

Special requirement: Flexibility to travel internationally and thrive in a cross-cultural environment.

About Portable Air: 

At the Portable Air division, we work with passion and purpose! We are a diverse team that values equity and inclusion. We believe that different perspectives and experiences enrich the way we do business and operate in the market. 

You are invited to join us and help shape a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive future. Be part of this exciting journey! 

Apply now and discover how amazing it is to work in a collaborative, dynamic environment full of opportunities for personal and professional growth.