Distribution Automation R&d Manager

**Location**:
Genoa, Ligura, Italy

**Job ID**:
R0097108

**Date Posted**:
2025-06-27

**Company Name**:
HITACHI ENERGY ITALY S.P.A.

**Profession (Job Category)**:
Engineering & Science

**Job Schedule**:
Full time

**Remote**:
No

**The opportunity**

Identify and Implement product and technology development and maintenance strategies to enhance Hitachi Energy global position and profitability, in the area of Distribution Automation, for medium/long term.

Manage research and development (R&D) activities, global resources and partners, together with all other functions for successful implementation of the product vision and strategy.

Reporting Line: AC Global Technology and R&D Manager

**How you'll make an impact**

**1. Product direction**

Support Distribution Automation Leadership to create, together with product management, a suitable product portfolio roadmap and execute it as part of the medium to long-term business strategy (3-5 years).

**2. Technology direction**

Defines and creates technology roadmaps for assigned domains and executes it by organizing the required resources according to the assigned R&D budget

**3. Innovation and creativity**

Develops culture and capability in the organization to ensure employees have the ability to challenge the status quo in technical issues, projects and/or processes.

**4. Projects, processes and tools**

Plans and ensures an optimal project portfolio for the team. Plans capacity, people and resources for R&D projects. Oversees efficient, timely and quality project execution using the most appropriate internal and external resources and partners (e.g. universities, Corporate Research (CR), as well as tools. Recommends, develops, and improves processes and procedures to enhance operations. Applies appropriate development and quality standards and monitors product quality and change requests to identify issues.

**5. Product Lifecycle**

Plans, monitors and ensures that the lifespan for each product in the relevant portfolio is fulfilled. Monitor and manage the product defect backlog and ensure that issues in the field are resolved within a reasonable time. Monitors product quality statistics and drive investigations and lessons learned and implements the resolutions in upcoming product releases.

**6. R&D context**

Partners with global management, Product Management, Supply, Operations, Factory, Support line and Sales to ensure appropriate representation of needs within R&D projects. Evaluates market requirements (e.g. standardization) and innovation and provides feedback to appropriate product, manufacturing and R&D strategies. Understands technical or quality problems and provides technical support.

**7. Network and visibility**

Make sure that the product line contributes to technical bodies both inside and outside the Company. Promotes Hitachi Energy R&D internally and externally to foster cooperation and knowledge sharing with external resources and communities. Builds develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external (customers, universities, etc.) contacts. Oversee appropriate participation from Hitachi Energy in relevant international technical committees. Acts as local technology expert for special tasks in the wider organization. Manage collaboration with local universities.

**8. Intellectual property (IP) and risk management**

Ensure action is taken to manage risks. Supports appropriate protection of newly created intellectual property and assists in defense and enforcement activities of related technology. Supports monitoring and alerting IP issues to higher level management.

**9. Finance and budget**

Prepares annual and multi-year global budget in cooperation with global management. Keeps a monthly track on the forecast versus budget.

**10. People leadership and development**

Manages assigned resources for R&D activities, assigned tasks together with functional product line technology management to team members, and review workload and work allocation within the project team. Ensures appropriate competencies are developed and acquired within the team to support development of future products and systems. Ensures (with HR support) that the area of responsibility is properly organized, staffed, skilled and directed. Guides, motivates and develops direct and indirect employees with the support of HR processes.

**Your background**
- A university degree in Engineering (preferably Electrical / Electronic / Computer Science);
- 10 years of experience in a similar role;
- Proven experience in leading international teams;
- Experience in the energy industry (preferably within electrical distribution systems) or a strong affinity for working in a global, matrixed organization is highly desirable;
- Ability to coach and delegate to professionals, fostering collaboration and accountability;
- A data-driven mindset with the ability to translate insights into action;
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills a