Senior Manager, Innovation Engineering

Summary: This is not a traditional engineering role. The Senior Manager, Innovation Engineering is a technical entrepreneur, inventor, and hands-on builder responsible for creating breakthrough beverage equipment solutions and experiences. As part of an internal innovation lab focused on Horizon 2 and Horizon 3 opportunities, this role transforms early-stage ideas into compelling prototypes, proof-of-concepts, and demonstrations that help shape future product platforms. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and is energized by building things that have never existed before. They are equally comfortable working across mechanical systems, fluidics, electronics, software, and industrial design to rapidly bring ideas to life. Success in this role requires creativity, technical versatility, resourcefulness, and a willingness to experiment. This role validates new concepts and enables successful transition of those innovations to platform teams through effective handoff, coaching, and knowledge transfer.

Invent, develop, and validate new equipment, dispensing, and beverage experience concepts that address future consumer, customer, and business needs. Rapidly design, build, and test proof-of-concepts, prototypes, and demonstration systems to evaluate technical feasibility and unlock new opportunities, while balancing creativity, speed, risk, technical feasibility, and business value. Apply existing technologies in creative and unexpected ways to solve complex technical and business challenges. Design, integrate, and troubleshoot multidisciplinary solutions spanning mechanical systems, fluidics, electronics, controls, software, connectivity, and user interfaces. Conduct testing, feasibility assessments and experimentation in the lab and in the field to evaluate concepts, generate insights, and guide innovation investment decisions. Partner closely with industrial designers, model builders, software developers, suppliers, and engineering teams to create integrated solutions and accelerate learning. Contribute both as a project owner and as a hands-on technical contributor supporting the success of other innovation initiatives across the portfolio. Enable successful transition of validated concepts to platform and engineering teams through technical coaching, documentation, demonstrations, and knowledge transfer. Identify patentable innovations and collaborate with intellectual property teams to document and protect inventions. Key Deliverables Functional prototypes, proof-of-concepts, and demonstration systems Feasibility studies and experimentation results Patent disclosures and invention documentation Technology transfer packages and engineering handoff documentation Cross-functional coaching and knowledge-sharing activities supporting platform teams Skills, Experience & Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, Robotics, Product Development, or a related technical discipline. 7+ years of experience in engineering, product development, innovation engineering, advanced R&D, or related technical fields. Demonstrated ability to design, build, integrate, and validate functional prototypes, proof-of-concepts, and multidisciplinary systems. Strong technical foundation spanning multiple engineering disciplines, including dispensing systems, fluidics, mechanical systems, electronics, control systems, sensors, embedded electronics, hardware-software integration, IoT platforms, connected devices, data analytics, and related technologies. Familiarity with digital ecosystems, including embedded systems, linux, content management systems. Proficiency with CAD software and engineering development tools. Experience applying structured testing, experimentation, and root-cause analysis to solve technical challenges. Ability to develop and troubleshoot simple software, scripting, or automation solutions to support