Director of Technical Training & Workforce Development

Our client, a global leader in advanced technology and highly regulated manufacturing, is seeking an experienced Director of Technical Training & Workforce Development to lead the strategy, development, and execution of technical training and workforce capability programs across complex manufacturing, engineering, service, and operational environments.

This leadership position will be responsible for building and scaling technical training programs, competency frameworks, certification processes, and workforce development initiatives to support operational excellence, employee readiness, quality, and global business growth.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong combination of technical operations experience, organizational leadership, and a proven track record of developing workforce capabilities across large-scale manufacturing or technical operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a global technical training and workforce development strategy aligned with business objectives and operational priorities.
• Lead and develop teams responsible for technical training, employee qualification, certification, and workforce capability development.
• Establish standardized technical training programs, competency assessments, skills matrices, and certification pathways across manufacturing and technical operations.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Service Operations, and senior leadership to identify workforce capability gaps and implement effective solutions.
• Build scalable training frameworks to support new product introductions (NPI), production expansion, operational readiness, and evolving technology requirements.
• Oversee the implementation and optimization of Learning Management Systems (LMS), training platforms, and certification tracking tools.
• Develop performance metrics and reporting systems to measure training effectiveness, workforce readiness, productivity improvements, and operational impact.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance training efficiency, standardization, and employee performance.
• Manage departmental budgets, training resources, and organizational development priorities.
• Collaborate with senior executives to ensure workforce development strategies support long-term business growth.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Industrial Technology, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent technical experience.
• 12+ years of experience in technical training, workforce development, manufacturing operations, engineering, service operations, or related technical environments.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing managers and technical training organizations supporting large-scale operational workforces.
• Demonstrated success developing and scaling technical training and workforce capability programs within complex manufacturing or technical environments.
• Experience implementing competency frameworks, certification programs, qualification systems, and technical skills matrices.
• Strong experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS), training management platforms, and workforce development technologies.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, manufacturing, quality, operations, and executive leadership.
• Strong understanding of adult learning principles, instructional design, organizational development, and technical training methodologies.
• Excellent executive communication, strategic planning, organizational leadership, and change management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in highly regulated industries such as medical devices, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, or other complex technical environments.
• Familiarity with FDA, ISO 13485, GMP, or similar quality and regulatory standards.
• Experience supporting technical training programs across multiple manufacturing facilities or global operations.
• Background in operational excellence, Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or organizational transformation.
• Experience developing technical certification and qualification programs for manufacturing technicians, maintenance teams, field service personnel, or engineering organizations.
• Experience supporting NPI, automation, digital transformation, or large-scale operational expansion.
• Demonstrated ability to connect workforce development initiatives to measurable improvements in productivity, quality, operational readiness, and business performance.

Position Details

Location: Santa Clara County, CA – Onsite

Position Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire

Base Salary Range: $210K– $310K annually

Compensation: Competitive benefits and potential additional incentives and equity, based on company programs and eligibility.