Head of R&D (gn)

THE COMPANY Our client is an established international technology company specializing in utility infrastructure, with a strong global presence and operations across multiple countries. Building on decades of experience in utility technology, the company serves customers across international markets and supports a large installed base of connected infrastructure worldwide. The company has a strong heritage in smart metering and connected infrastructure, providing technologies and solutions for electricity, gas, water and thermal energy networks. Its offering spans intelligent meters, communications and grid-edge technologies, increasingly complemented by software, data, analytics and digital solutions that help utilities improve visibility, efficiency and control of their infrastructure. The company is evolving from a hardware-focused supplier into a comprehensive technology and solutions provider. To support this evolution, the company is strengthening the integration of hardware, measurement technology and software to create more connected, intelligent and scalable solutions for its customers. R&D is central to this transformation. A substantial international R&D organization operates across multiple locations in Europe, Asia and Africa, bringing together expertise in hardware, firmware, software and measurement technology. The Head of R&D will play a pivotal role in this next phase: aligning these capabilities under a unified technology strategy, strengthening software and platform capabilities, and creating a more integrated, scalable and high-performing global R&D organization. THE ROLE As Head of R&D, you will lead and transform the company's international R&D organization, ensuring that technology development is closely aligned with the company's strategic and commercial objectives. You will define and execute the overall technology vision, strategy and roadmap while taking end-to-end responsibility for engineering execution across hardware, embedded systems, software, cloud and applications. A key part of the mandate will be to accelerate the company's transition from a hardware-centric development model towards software-led, platform-based product development. You will create stronger integration across engineering disciplines, reduce fragmentation and establish an operating model that enables faster innovation, greater reuse, improved quality and shorter time-to-market. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be a key member of the company's leadership community. The role operates across an international and matrixed organization, working closely with senior leaders in Product Management, PMO, Sales, Customer Projects, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, HR, IT and other global functions. RESPONSIBILITIES - Lead and develop the international R&D organization across hardware, firmware, software and measurement technology, establishing a scalable, integrated and high-performing operating model across multiple countries. - Define and execute the technology strategy and roadmap, aligning R&D priorities with business strategy, customer needs and long-term growth objectives. - Drive the evolution towards software-led, platform-based development, strengthening capabilities in software engineering, systems architecture, cloud, data and cybersecurity while increasing reuse and scalability across products. - Own end-to-end engineering execution, from requirements and architecture through development, integration, testing and release, ensuring delivery against quality, cost and time-to-market objectives. - Establish engineering excellence and continuous improvement, leveraging modern development practices such as Agile, DevOps, CI/CD, modularization and platform reuse to improve productivity, quality and speed. - Act as a strategic technology partner to the business, working closely with Product Management, PMO, Sales, Customer Projects, Supply Chain, Quality and executive leadership to translate business and customer requirements into effective technology solutions. - Own R&D resources and investments, including budgets, capacity planning, prioritization and build-versus-buy decisions across hardware, firmware and software. - Lead organizational transformation and talent development, building strong leadership capabilities, attracting and developing talent, and fostering a collaborative, innovative and accountable engineering culture. - Ensure effective technology governance and risk management, covering product quality, cybersecurity, data privacy, regulatory requirements and product certification. YOUR PROFILE We are looking for an accomplished technology executive with a strong track record in leading international engineering organizations and supporting business growth through technology and innovation. - 15+ years of senior R&D or engineering leadership experience in international technology businesses, including transformation and change management experience. - Relevant university degree in Engineering, Technology, Computer Science or a related field; postgraduate education is an advantage. - Strong understanding of hardware, embedded systems, software and cloud-based technologies. - Experience operating in global, matrixed and multicultural environments. - Solid commercial and business acumen with the ability to align technology with business priorities. - Strong communication and stakeholder management skills at executive level. - Fluent English language skills; additional European languages are considered a plus. WHY THIS ROLE This is an opportunity to join an established international technology company at a genuine inflection point and help shape what comes next. - Shape the future of the company: Play a central role in the company's evolution into a technology-driven solutions provider, with the freedom to influence how technology, innovation and engineering contribute to the next phase of growth. - Build a high-performing international organization: Bring together a large team of talented professionals across multiple countries and disciplines, creating a more connected, agile and high-performing R&D environment. - Leave a lasting mark: With direct access to the CEO and senior leadership, your decisions will have visibility well beyond R&D, influencing the organization, its technology capabilities and ultimately the solutions the company delivers to customers worldwide. Interested in learning more? We would be delighted to discuss this opportunity with you. For further information or a confidential conversation, please get in touch with: Carla Gasparoni gasparoni@wideresearch.com