R&D Director

About the Role

This position is for an experienced R&D leader to head the research and development function and shape the organization’s product innovation, technology roadmap, and engineering standards. The role focuses on planning, directing, and delivering R&D programs that align with business priorities, support growth, and strengthen the company’s market position.

The right candidate will be a strategic and hands-on leader who has successfully guided multidisciplinary teams, launched innovative products or technologies, and built a workplace culture centered on teamwork, creativity, and ongoing improvement. This is a chance to influence the future direction of innovation while partnering with senior leaders and teams across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and implement the R&D strategy so it supports corporate objectives and long-term business direction.
• Manage and coach multidisciplinary R&D teams while encouraging technical quality, collaboration, and career growth.
• Own the complete lifecycle of research, product development, engineering, and innovation work from concept to launch and implementation.
• Work closely with Product Management, Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Marketing, and senior leadership to keep development priorities aligned with business needs.
• Track emerging technologies, industry trends, and customer insights to inform future product and technology decisions.
• Set development roadmaps, assign priorities, allocate resources, and define performance measures to support delivery.
• Improve product development methods, engineering workflows, and innovation practices on an ongoing basis.
• Review technical risks, milestone progress, and resource needs while ensuring projects stay on schedule and meet quality standards.
• Encourage knowledge sharing, technical partnership, and innovation across teams and functions.
• Help create and maintain technical documentation, product specifications, and development standards.
• Present strategy updates, innovation plans, and project progress to executive leadership and other stakeholders.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, or a similar technical field is required; a master’s degree or Ph.D. is preferred.
• At least 8 years of progressive leadership experience in R&D, engineering, product development, or innovation management.
• Demonstrated success leading R&D functions and delivering innovative products, technologies, or technical solutions.
• Strong knowledge of product development lifecycles, engineering approaches, research methods, and project management fundamentals.
• Experience leading cross-functional technical teams in complex or rapidly growing organizations.
• Excellent abilities in leadership, communication, organization, and stakeholder management.
• Strong analytical thinking, strategic judgment, and problem-solving capability.
• Familiarity with PLM systems, project management tools, collaboration software, and engineering documentation platforms.
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives at once while balancing innovation goals with operational priorities.

Preferred Background

• Experience in technology, software, manufacturing, healthcare, medical devices, biotechnology, consumer products, or other innovation-focused industries.
• Exposure to new product introduction, technology commercialization, or digital transformation programs.
• Experience managing globally distributed engineering or R&D teams.
• Proven ability to build scalable innovation processes that support long-term organizational growth.

What We Offer

• A fully remote role available anywhere within the United States.
• A leadership position with meaningful influence over innovation strategy and the technology roadmap.
• The opportunity to lead advanced R&D initiatives that deliver real business impact.
• A collaborative, innovative, and high-performance workplace.
• A competitive compensation package with comprehensive benefits.

Additional Information

This is a full-time remote leadership opportunity based in the United States. Candidates should be prepared to operate at a senior level, work across multiple functions, and help turn ideas into practical products and solutions.