Jr. Manager Product Line

• R&D stage-gate process management, delivered through an AI-automated workflow system.  

• Gatekeeping, intake, and prioritization of engineering requests for the mechanical systems team via an AI-built request system.  

• Voice-of-customer capture and synthesis across both product lines.  

• Competitive and market research supporting engineering, R&D, marketing, and commercial planning.  

• Product line performance tracking and reporting.  

• The AI systems that underpin these responsibilities — stage-gate workflow, engineering request system, and the product/research agent.  

Key responsibilities  

R&D stage-gate process management  

• Drive R&D projects through the stage-gate process, operating and maintaining the AI-automated stage-gate system.  

• Track gate readiness, flag blockers, and ensure deliverables and criteria are met at each gate so projects keep moving.  

• Provide stage-gate status and pipeline visibility to engineering, R&D, and commercial leadership.  

Engineering request management — mechanical systems  

• Serve as the gatekeeper for engineering requests directed at the mechanical systems team.  

• Own and operate the AI-built engineering request system that streamlines intake, prioritizes requests against defined criteria, and routes them appropriately.  

• Ensure each request reaches the engineering team complete — with the data, specifications, and context needed to execute without rework.  

• Manage the request backlog and priorities in partnership with engineering and commercial stakeholders.  

Voice of customer  

• Gather and synthesize customer and field feedback into structured insight for both product lines.  

• Surface unmet needs, recurring issues, and opportunities to engineering, R&D, and commercial planning.  

Competitive & market research  

• Conduct competitor and market research supporting engineering, R&D, marketing, and commercial planning.  

• Operate the product/research agent to keep competitive analysis current, reviewing outputs for accuracy.  

• Translate findings into inputs for product roadmaps, positioning, and commercial plans.  

Product line performance tracking & reporting  

• Monitor product line KPIs — volume, margin, and win/loss — and report trends and recommendations.  

• Support commercial and product planning with performance data.  

Cross-functional coordination & planning support  

• Connect engineering, R&D, marketing, and commercial planning around product priorities and timing.  

• Support commercial and marketing planning with product, customer, and competitive intelligence.  

AI systems ownership & ways of working  

• Operate, maintain, and improve the AI-built systems central to the role — the stage-gate workflow and the engineering request system.  

• Use AI to streamline intake, prioritization, research, and reporting, reviewing outputs for accuracy before they drive decisions.  

• Identify and pilot new AI-enabled improvements to the R&D and engineering request processes, and own the criteria and logic the systems run on.  

Disclaimer  
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted, as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.  

LUFKIN US Acquisitions Company LLC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive atmosphere for all employees.