Head of New Product Engineering
Driving Product Excellence, Innovation & Scalable Engineering at Axopar Boats
Are you a visionary engineering leader who thrives on building high-performing teams, driving technical excellence, and turning ideas into world-class products? Axopar Boats, Europe’s fastest growing boat brand and “The Adventure Boating Company”, is looking for a Head of New Product Engineering to lead our end-to-end new product engineering function. This is your opportunity to shape how innovative, high-quality boats are designed, developed, and brought to life on a global scale.
Why Axopar?
We’re not just building boats—we’re creating a movement. As a pioneering force in the world of adventure and luxury boating, Axopar thrives on bold ideas, entrepreneurial energy, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. With a global reach and a collaborative, ambitious team, we’re redefining what’s possible—on the water and beyond.
Your Mission as Head of New Product Engineering
The Head of New Product Engineering – reporting to the Chief Technology Officer – is responsible for leading and overseeing all engineering activities across the business, from early-stage technology scouting and concept development to new product development and handover to lifecycle management. This role ensures that engineering capabilities, processes, and resources are aligned with business strategy, enabling the delivery of innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective products.
The role combines strategic leadership with operational execution, ensuring that engineering excellence, compliance, and efficiency are embedded throughout the entire product lifecycle.
Main Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for Engineering from technology scouting through new product development to handover to production.
Create and implement an engineering vision, strategy, processes, and procedures to support and improve business performance.
Own and develop engineering policies, guidelines, and associated documentation.
Oversee all aspects of engineering from concept phase through production, including engineering changes throughout the product lifecycle.
Translate concept requirements into executable technical specifications and collect required technical and legislative inputs for product development.
Support project planning and delivery through resource planning and resource utilization optimization to meet agreed timelines.
Develop engineering task management in Jira and related metrics (priorities, workload, milestone management, and backlog).
Lead preparation of technical documentation for procurement, production, and other stakeholders.
Ensure PDM supports engineering and development work optimally and that product information is kept up to date.
Ensure engineering compliance and legal requirements are fulfilled.
Coordinate with manufacturing to ensure manufacturability while maintaining quality, safety, and environmental standards and meeting cost targets on time.
Support project and product management with cross-functional activities required for project execution and engineering changes.
Lead the New Product Engineering team through coaching and mentoring; set clear objectives and monitor progress and performance to deliver continuous improvement and cost-effective solutions.
Ensure strong communication between product development and internal/external stakeholders to enable efficient ways of working.
Support the CTO in product development budgeting and follow up on budget execution.
What We’re Looking For
Min. 5 years of experience in a similar position within a technical design and technical engineering atmosphere in an environment of an international organisation.
Proven track record in the boating industry, or in the automotive, aeronautical, vehicle, motorised industries.
Knowledge of quality standards and processes typical for e.g., the boating/automotive/aeronautical industries and the specifics of OEM subcontracting.
BOM (Bill of Material) experience and familiarity of taking BOM-related issues into account throughout the planning and technical design-processes.
Experience of Project Management; has led and been part of complex technical projects, familiar with the project work – engagement, resources, timetables, and targets.
Preferably in depth technical and commercial knowledge of boats’ production and construction.
Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to optimise team performance and development.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Technical Design – big plus if in Naval Design.
In-depth knowledge of technical design, technical engineering, and efficiency in industrialisation process.
Excellent command of English, both written and oral and preferably also Finnish (or Swedish).
Who You Are
You have solid organizational skills, including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills.
You have a “can-do” attitude and a systematic approach to achieving the targets.
You work smoothly in cross-functional settings.
You are usually the reference point when it comes to technical implementation.
You are eager to standardise guidelines and policies across the engineering teams.
You are interested in the boating industry and keen to explore this field further.
About Axopar
Axopar is a Finland-based boat manufacturer and one of the fastest-growing boat brands in the world. Known as "the Adventure Boating Company," we offer multi-functional, accessible, and innovative boats for a global audience. Our fleet, ranging from 22 to 45 feet—including two all-electric AX/E models—is marketed in over 50 countries, with North America as our largest market. Designed in Finland, built in Poland, and with over 7,500 boats sold since our founding in 2014, the group boasts a turnover exceeding 190 million euros and employs about 1100 people.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
Lead and shape a critical function in a fast-growing, international company. Play a key role in developing world-class products and engineering capabilities. Work with passionate, ambitious colleagues in a collaborative environment. Attractive benefits, including lunch, sports, culture, leisure, and travel insurance
Ready to build the future of adventure boating? If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your application and CV by 3 May. The recruitment process is handled by Axopar’s executive search partner – Nordic Leaders. Let’s create waves together with Axopar Boats.