Technical Director Applications

We are seeking a highly specialized and skilled Technical Director of Application Development to lead our international RFID inlay design operations, develop new innovative products and strengthen our regulatory partnerships. This executive-level leader will be the technical authority for Checkpoint Systems RFID products, driving design and manufacturing innovation across three distinct global design centers.  This role provides oversight of manufacturing quality teams related to RFID performance, testing standards, QMS policy and product development.

Checkpoint Systems is a proud division of CCL Industries, a multi-billion-dollar global organization which provides the team with the exceptionally solid financial stability, long-term safety and deep resources of well-recognized industry leader.

Job Duties 

1. Manage Inlay Development (UHF, HF, and BLE)

• Global Design Synchronization: Direct the manage activities across RFID global locations including engineering teams in China and USA by establishing efficient communication and collaboration processes.  

• Diverse Form Factors: Oversee development across various applications, including adhesive labels, woven labels and robust hard tags primarily engineered for asset protection and loss prevention.

• Strategic Alignment: Act as the central technical liaison supporting Product Management Teams and global R&D initiatives.

2. Manage RFID Product Evaluations in Support of Sales

• Enterprise Customer Testing: Oversee the evaluation and benchmarking of current RFID products on retail goods supplied by major sales accounts (e.g., Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods).

• Innovation Pipeline: Actively identify, conceptualize, and validate new tagging concepts to expand the sales pipeline and address market demands.

3. Evaluate New Materials & Processes (R&D)

• Manufacturing Infrastructure: Take direct ownership of the specialized laboratory testing equipment and specifying new testing and manufacturing equipment.

• Material Validation: Research and validate advanced fabrication processes, including next-generation bonding materials, specialized glues, and innovative antenna materials.

4. Support Manufacturing Teams on Quality Processes

• Issue Resolution: Provide expert technical support to our primary manufacturing facilities to resolve active quality-related issues.

• Continuous Improvement: Lead systematic root cause analysis, implement robust corrective actions, and support the continued evolution of the Quality Management System (QMS).

5. Serve as the ARC Lab (Auburn University) Technical Contact

• Regulatory Interface: Function as the primary, highly diplomatic, and impartial interface with the Auburn University RFID lab.

• Compliance Ecosystem: Oversee all quality certifications, specific inlay certifications, RFS submissions, and compliance with the specialized ALEC program.

• Cross-Functional Catalyst: Educate internal Checkpoint teams on ARC standards, translating regulatory compliance into commercial, cross-functional wins for marketing and sales.

 

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in RF Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or similar degree required. 

 

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in technical management role. 

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES (KSA’s):

Must-Have Experience & Core Competencies:

• Inlay Development Background: Minimum of 10 years Hands-on, extensive practical experience participating directly in the development, testing and layout design of UHF, HF, RF and BLE inlays is essential.

• Advanced R&D Problem-Solving: A proven track record of diagnosing complex physics, materials science, or electrical engineering challenges within inlay/labels/tags manufacturing (e.g., RFID applications on liquids or metals).

• Extensive knowledge of manufacturing processes, regulations and the quality processes specifically within RFID application development: inlays/labels/tags industry

• Act as Key Subject Matter Expert on RFID applications, ICs, materials both internally within Checkpoint Systems and for the benefit of wider CCL company projects.

• Organizational Management: Exceptional capability to coordinate workflows, manage a small team of direct reports/consultants/partners, support global RFID initiatives through manufacturing team and quality managers and balance multiple global timelines.

• Diplomatic Communication Skills: Exceptional communication abilities characterized by an impartial, educative, and non-forceful style. Must be a natural educator capable of building strong consensus both internally and with external parties eg Auburn University.  Must be able to communicate complex physics and technical matters in understandable language to lay people within and external to the company organization.

• Strong technical writing skills and experimental design including creation of custom testing protocols for individual applications and initiatives were standard testing does not provide all of the necessary information.

• Ability to build strong relationships internally and work successfully with global teams/different cultures

• Strong R&D or technical background

 

The Team & Impact

• The successful candidate will lead a lean, highly specialized business unit consisting of 4 staff:  antenna designer, lab manager (overseeing prototypes, bonding ICs etc.) and consultants with dotted line to support site and quality managers at other manufacturing facilities: Mexico, China, Michigan and New Jersey. While this core unit is small, its global organizational impact is critical for the business. This unit is the central gateway for the company's design, manufacturing and product innovation—ultimately designing and signing off on the core architectures that dictate final mass production lines for Checkpoint Systems worldwide.

 

Location & Travel requirements

• Ideal location: New Jersey (adjacent to the core laboratory facilities). 

• Will consider a fully remote candidate based anywhere in the US, provided they have the right skillset/experience and willing to          undertake significant travel (roughly two weeks out of every month to the New Jersey laboratory).

• Global Travel: Occasional international travel is required to support manufacturing facilities in China and Mexico, alongside visits        to the product management headquarters in Barcelona, Spain and other company locations.

 

 

BENEFITS:

401 (k)
401 (k) Matching
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Employee Discount
Paid Time Off
Tuition Reimbursement
Flexible Spending Account
Health Savings Account

JOB TYPE: Full-Time

PAY: $130,000.00 - $190,000.00