Find & Apply For Research and Development Manager Jobs in Chelmsford, Massachusetts

We are seeking an R&D Lab Manager to lead the execution of our research and development efforts and to build the team that carries them out. Working directly with the CTO, you will translate strategic direction into clear project plans, drive them to completion, and document the results along the way. R&D at AES is dynamic — a mix of long-term initiatives and fast-turn projects across new products, battery test fixturing, and product testing tools. This is a hands-on leadership role. The ideal candidate pairs strong people- and project-management skills with genuine technical aptitude: enough depth to understand and capture technical information, contribute to problem-solving, and earn the trust of a team of cross-discipline technicians and engineers. You do not need to be a deep single-domain expert, but you should be comfortable in a technical, shop-floor-adjacent environment and eager to get your hands on the work. You will also help shape and grow the team. This is an opportunity to build a lean, high-performing R&D group and establish the practices that let it thrive.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

Planning & Execution Work with the CTO to establish a yearly R&D roadmap with quarterly updates. Establish and track a yearly budget for the group. Gather and document project requirements and goals. Oversee project timelines, ensuring execution aligns with set milestones and deliverables. Drive daily standups — assigning tasks, tracking progress, and removing blockers. Maintain detailed records of project progress and present comprehensive findings at project conclusion. Team Leadership Lead, coach, and grow a cross-disciplinary R&D team of skilled technicians and engineers spanning a range of experience levels. Ensure effective execution of projects and organized, reliable collection of data and results. Help recruit and onboard new team members as the group scales. Cross-Functional Coordination Coordinate with internal teams — engineering, software development, manufacturing, and procurement — to complete projects. Partner closely with Controls Engineering, who work hand-in-hand with R&D on system integration and testing. Lab Operations Manage lab inventory and infrastructure projects, and identify operational improvements. Maintain lab equipment, including maintenance and calibration schedules, and promote safe, orderly lab practices. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent hands-on technical experience. 5+ years of experience in a technical environment (R&D, engineering, manufacturing, or product test), with some leadership or team-coordination experience. Demonstrated ability to plan, track, and deliver multiple concurrent projects on schedule. Strong technical aptitude — able to understand, capture, and document technical information and contribute to problem-solving. Highly organized and task-focused, with the ability to delegate clearly and concisely. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; able to work harmoniously in a cross-functional setting. Proactive, adaptable, and hardworking, willing to pitch in on hands-on work when required. Preferred Qualifications Hands-on experience in a prototyping, fabrication, or product-test environment (3D printing, CNC, machining, or electromechanical assembly). Familiarity with industrial equipment and test methodologies. Exposure to controls, PLCs, or embedded control architectures. Experience sourcing and qualifying prototyping/manufacturing vendors. Background that spans mechanical, electrical, and software elements (mechatronics a plus).

Pay:

$120,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Life insurance Paid parental leave Paid time off Parental leave Professional development assistance Referral program Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Ability to

Commute:

North Chelmsford, MA 01863 (Required)

Work Location:

In person