Project Manager - R&D Engineering Excellence, Research & Development Engineering

We are opening an Engineering Excellence role - EMEA operations.

Location: on one of our engineering sites (Prague/Hengelo/Montbonnot-Saint-Martin)

Primary function of this role:

• Leads the definition and execution of the engineering operating model across ES EMEA, embedding a continuous improvement and Lean culture to optimize engineering performance and product development outcomes.
• Acts as a division-level expert in engineering operations and lifecycle optimization, establishing strategy, KPIs, and governance frameworks that drive engineering excellence, productivity, and quality.
• Provides strategic oversight and advisory to engineering and business leadership, influencing decisions through data-driven insights, and leading complex, cross-functional initiatives to advance engineering maturity, efficiency, and innovation across the region.

Job responsibilities: 

• Define, establish, and continuously evolve engineering performance frameworks and KPIs aligned to Electrical Sector (ES) EMEA strategy and enterprise objectives
• Drive operational excellence across ES EMEA, ensuring KPI deployment and alignment 
• Engineering Lifecycle Optimization & System Leadership
• Lead the end-to-end optimization of the product development lifecycle, driving simplification, standardization, and efficiency improvements across engineering processes and tools
• Partner with Engineering functional excellence (EFE) leaders, divisional leaders, product managers, and program managers to translate performance insights into strategic interventions that improve engineering maturity and delivery outcomes
• Provide division-level oversight of complex, high-impact engineering initiatives, ensuring alignment with performance, risk, and delivery objectives
• Define and lead the engineering continuous improvement (CI) strategy across the division, aligned with Eaton Business System (EBS) principles
• Build and manage a portfolio of CI initiatives driving measurable improvements in productivity, cycle time, and engineering effectiveness
• Lead and facilitate Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Rapid Improvement Events (RIE), Business Process Improvement (BPI), A3 problem solving, and Kaizen initiatives
• Build organizational capability in engineering excellence, CI methodologies, and performance management, embedding a culture of continuous improvement and innovation
• Act as the division’s representative to EMEA and Enterprise Functional Excellence leadership forums, shaping broader engineering strategy and best practices

We would like you to bring:

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in engineering in Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial Engineering/Operations
• Over 5 years of experience of technical project/program management/operations excellence
• Experience leading a project through all stages of the product development cycle
• Strong Experience in full product development life cycle including product line support engineering.
• Continuous Improvement (PDCA cycle, DMAIC or Lean Six Sigma application within PDCA)
  Process Design
• ROI / Financial acumen (Cost to Develop)
• Knowledge in Agile ProLaunch and PreLaunch or similar processes.
• English proficiency on both verbal and written communication

What Eaton offers:

• Great promotional opportunities - We encourage internal promotion, whenever possible
• Excellent working environment - safety and ethic are really important for us
  Culture & Values - We are more than the products we invent and produce – the way we do business is just as important. 
• Inclusion & Diversity - Openness to diversity widens our access to the best talent. Inclusion allows us to engage Learning & Development
• We invest in our employees for the long term – not just with salary and benefits, but with ongoing learning and development opportunities made available through Eaton University

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