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Job Description
Director of Research and Development Voltage LLC Chapel Hill, NC Job Details 16 hours ago Qualifications Product design project leadership Project development phase management New product introduction engineering projects Project engineering Resource allocation (project management tasks) Managing engineering teams Engineering project budget management Leading team collaboration initiatives Managing projects Managing business operations budgets Research & development Cross-functional communication Validation design Full Job Description It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! The Director of Research & Development leads the development and execution of the company's product innovation and research initiatives, supporting growth through new product development, continuous improvement, and technology advancement. This role oversees R D programs from concept through commercialization and partners cross-functionally to ensure innovation aligns with business strategy, customer needs, manufacturability, and quality standards. In a renewable energy and advanced manufacturing environment, the Director of R D will lead engineering innovation efforts related to product performance, testing and validation, cost optimization, and next-generation solutions while building scalable R D processes and team capability.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
R D Strategy & Product Innovation Lead execution of the company's R D strategy and product development roadmap. Identify emerging technologies, market trends, and product enhancement opportunities. Drive innovation initiatives focused on product performance, differentiation, and scalability. Support development of intellectual property, technical know-how, and innovation protection. Evaluate and prioritize R D initiatives based on strategic value, feasibility, and return. Product Development & Engineering Leadership Lead product research, prototyping, testing, validation, and commercialization efforts. Oversee new product introduction (NPI) and stage-gate development processes. Direct engineering teams in development of new products and enhancements to existing solutions. Ensure products meet performance, regulatory, reliability, and customer requirements. Partner with manufacturing and operations to support smooth transition from development into production. R D Operations Management Manage day-to-day operation of the R D function, including project prioritization, budgets, resources, and timelines. Establish and monitor R D KPIs, project milestones, and development metrics. Improve development efficiency, speed-to-market, and project execution discipline. Support value engineering and cost reduction initiatives through innovation. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, and Product teams to support product strategy and development. Provide technical support for customer-driven product solutions and market expansion efforts. Collaborate with commercial and engineering teams on customer requirements and solution development. Support manufacturing readiness and design-for-manufacturability initiatives. Team Leadership & Development Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing R D and engineering teams. Build organizational capability, succession depth, and technical bench strength. Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Support performance management and professional development within the function. Compliance & Quality Ensure development activities align with applicable standards, testing requirements, and regulatory compliance. Support risk management, product reliability, and quality improvement initiatives. Maintain documentation and technical controls to support product integrity and audit readiness.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Product Development, or related technical discipline required. Master's degree preferred. 10+ years progressive engineering or product development experience. 5+ years leadership experience managing R D, engineering, or product development teams. Experience leading new product development from concept through commercialization. Experience in manufacturing, renewable energy, electrical products, or industrial technology preferred. Experience supporting cross-functional product innovation in a growth-oriented environment.
Skills Required:
Product development lifecycle and stage-gate methodology Testing, validation, and product reliability principles Strong project and portfolio management skills Budget and resource planning experience Innovation mindset balanced with execution discipline Strong communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills Experience with ERP/PLM systems; SAP experience preferred
