Manager, Design Center

Join Kyocera International, Inc.

We’re hiring a Manager, Design Center at our San Diego, CA location!

Salary Range: $115,807 – $167,684 annually
(Final offer based on experience, education, skills, and market factors)

Why Kyocera?
With nearly 80,000 employees worldwide, Kyocera is a global leader in advanced ceramic technologies used in aerospace, automotive, medical, and semiconductor industries. Our materials power everything from smartphones to space shuttles — and we’re just getting started.

What Makes Us Stand Out?
We don’t just offer jobs — we offer careers with purpose, stability, and growth. Here’s what you can expect:

Generous Time Off

• 3 weeks of vacation to start (120 hours/year)
• 10 paid holidays annually

Financial Wellness

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with company match
• Employer-paid pension plan

Comprehensive Health Coverage

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Investing in You

• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off to volunteer
• Flexible schedules

Work-Life Balance & Culture

• Onsite gyms, walking tracks, and employee gardens at larger locations
• Long-tenured team (many with 30+ years of service!)
• Inclusive and diverse workforce
• A company philosophy rooted in doing the right thing as a human being

Our Philosophy

Kyocera’s culture is deeply inspired by our founder, Dr. Kazuo Inamori. His values guide our decisions and shape our workplace. Learn more about our guiding principles here:

Kyocera Values

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply today and become part of a team that’s shaping the future — one innovation at a time.

Manager Design Center (ENG7101)

Exempt: Yes
Safety Sensitive: No

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION
The Design Center Manager is responsible for managing the Engineering and future Sales Technical support for a product line. This role typically leads a team of 1-6 engineers who conceive, design, and execute engineered solutions meeting the performance requirements of products for the Business Unit's served. Area of focus includes experience in backend assembly, materials, and component- and system-level design, as well as development, optimization, and production quoting.

REQUIREMENTS:

4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related discipline.
5+ years’ experience in manufacturing or technical sales.
3 years management experience in engineering or production environment.
Understanding of Customer engineering requirements, including technical drawings.
Strong communication skills and ability to effectively collaborate with production teams in Japan.
Knowledge of materials, related technology, production processes (Metalizing, brazing, chemical cleaning, assembly, FDA regulations, CE marking etc.), and US supply chain.
Strong computer skills: MS Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Knowledge of AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
Bi-Lingual language skills preferred but not required. (Japanese and English)
Travel up to 25%

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Collaborates with Engineering and Sales Managers to determines where product can be designed or re-designed, or new product lines introduced, to meet new customer or market requirements.
2. Increase information quality and volume from Market with KC technology team to be shared with divisions, so that they can expand overseas business and contribute to divisional financial targets.
3. Research customer design needs and assigns design engineers to appropriate projects. Delegate resources to US production operations in close contact with KC production.
4. Address lingering engineering issues related to new and existing products which limit market gain.
5. Assist with new business inquiries and explore market opportunities based on Kyocera technologies, including technical partners, mergers, and acquisitions, and forming new strategic partnerships between Kyocera and outside industry.
6. Coordinate communication with Production, engineers, ISD, Marketing, Corporate Development, and divisional Management in US operations to promote aligned new business development.
7. Participate in Amoeba Management, including monthly financial analysis, reporting to KC and KII Leadership monthly and quarterly. Manage expenses including labor and travel.
8. Responsible for contributing to Division goals and milestones for Master Plan and 3-year Plans, and for monitoring and reporting group progress in accomplishing those goals.
9. Performs presentations to upper management on progress and status of various development projects.
10. Develops departmental standards and ensures compliance.
11. Responsible for daily customer interaction and relationship management within own account base in the US, Europe, and Japan, as applicable.
12. Represents assigned customer requests in the US and Europe. May serve as main point of technical contact for a large customer or project or delegate to team members.
13. Generates new business inquiries, explores opportunities for assigned group, and supports technical sales efforts in the US and Europe.
14. Attends customer trials and/or experimental applications as required. May act as technical resource for customer.
15. Daily account monitoring activity, including metrics tracking, scheduling, logistics, design wins, analytics and presentations.
16. Mentors and manages design engineers. Trains, hires, and develops team including coaching, performance management and labor planning. Models’ ethical behavior and accurate financial reporting.

Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to talk or hear; regularly required to stand, walk, sit; occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The above statements are intended to describe the work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. The duties and responsibilities of this position are subject to change and other duties may be assigned or removed at any time. This position may require exposure to information subject to US Export Control regulations, i.e.: the International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be US persons within the meaning of US regulations.

Kyocera International, Inc. values diversity in its workforce, and is proud to be an AAP/EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact Kyocera International, Inc. Human Resources team directly.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.