Job Description: Vice President of Research & Development (VP of R&D)
Location: San Jose, California, USA (Designlibro U.SRe) Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Department: Research & Development Employment Type: Full-time, Executive Leadership
Role Overview
The Vice President of Research & Development (R&D) will play a pivotal role in shaping Designlibro’s innovation strategy and driving the development of next-generation smart pet products, IoT solutions, AI-driven devices, and robotics technologies. This leader will oversee a multi-disciplinary, cross-border R&D organisation spanning the U.S. and China, ensuring seamless collaboration and delivering world-class products that delight customers and strengthen our competitive advantage.
Key Responsibilities
Define and execute a mid-to long-term R&D roadmap aligned with company vision and business objectives.
Drive innovation in IoT, AI, robotics, and pet health technologies to maintain market leadership.
Continuously identify and adopt emerging technologies that enhance product differentiation and user experience.
Build, lead, and inspire a global, cross-functional R&D team across hardware, software, embedded systems, AI, and robotics.
Establish a culture of innovation, accountability, and high performance.
Recruit and develop top-tier engineering and R&D talent, fostering the next generation of technology leaders.
Oversee the end-to-end product lifecycle, from concept and design through prototyping, validation, manufacturing, and iterative improvements.
Ensure seamless integration between R&D, industrial design, UX/UI, and product management teams.
Anticipate and resolve technical challenges, balancing speed, quality, and scalability.
Manage multiple large-scale R&D programmes simultaneously, ensuring on-time, on-budget, and high-quality deliverables.
Own R&D budgeting, resource allocation, and cost optimisation strategies.
Establish and track OKRs, and performance metrics to drive operational excellence.
Partner closely with product, supply chain, manufacturing, quality assurance, and marketing teams to ensure organisational alignment.
Provide technical insight and recommendations for company-wide strategic decisions.
Represent R&D in executive meetings, investor discussions, and cross-border strategy planning.
Qualifications & Experience
Required
Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, AI, or a related technical discipline.
10+ years of progressive R&D leadership experience in smart hardware, IoT, AI, robotics, or consumer electronics, including 3+ years leading teams of 50+ engineers.
Proven success in taking products from concept to mass production (0→1 innovation and 1→100 scaling).
Strong technical expertise in embedded systems, connected devices, cloud-enabled platforms, and user-centric hardware solutions.
Preferred
PhD or international leadership experience in the U.S., Europe, or APAC.
Previous success launching IoT-enabled consumer electronics at scale.
Experience integrating AI and robotics technologies into hardware products.
Familiarity with DFM/DFA, manufacturing operations, and global supply chain strategies.
Key Competencies
Strategic Leadership — Able to define a visionary R&D strategy and align teams globally.
Technical Depth & Breadth — Hands-on understanding of emerging technologies and their applications.
Operational Excellence — Proven ability to scale complex cross-border R&D organisations.
Innovative Mindset — Passion for building disruptive, user-centric products.
Business Acumen — Skilled in balancing innovation, cost, and speed-to-market.
Cultural Agility — Comfortable leading diverse, multi-national engineering teams.
Why Join Us
At Designlibro, we are redefining pet care and smart living by building connected ecosystems powered by innovation. As VP of R&D, you’ll lead a global team, set the technology vision, and deliver products that impact millions of pet owners worldwide. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of smart hardware, IoT, AI, and robotics while driving Designlibro’s next stage of growth.
Compensation & Benefits
Annual Salary Range: $260k - $300k USD
Competitive executive compensation package (base + performance bonus + equity).
Comprehensive health, wellness, and family benefits.
Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.
Opportunity to lead innovation at global scale in a high-growth industry.
Flexible work from home options available.