Department Manager R&D

Kongsberg; Horten; On-site; NOK 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

KONGSBERG Discovery invites applications for a Department Manager R&D to lead the Positioning and Monitoring R&D team. The role focuses on team development, staffing, project execution support, and continuous improvement within a dynamic, tech-driven environment.

You will partner with Product Management, Sales, and other units to ensure successful product development and delivery, balancing strategic planning with hands-on leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Technology, Business Administration, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Proven leadership experience, including leading and developing teams.
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop employees.
• Experience with resource management and project prioritization in a technical environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working in international and cross-functional organizations.
• A structured and reliable approach to leadership and execution.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational follow-up.
• Experience from product development, R&D, or technology-driven organizations is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and inspire a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Build and maintain the competencies and capabilities required for current and future product development.
• Ensure effective staffing and allocation of resources across development and maintenance projects.
• Coach, support, and empower employees to achieve their full potential.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Drive initiatives to improve R&D efficiency, quality, and performance.
• Facilitate project reporting, resource planning, and budgeting processes.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management to align development activities with business priorities.
• Contribute as a member of the Business Unit Management Team.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Resource planning

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Technology, Business Administration, Economics

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

Are you motivated by developing people and building strong technical teams?

At Kongsberg Discovery, we develop advanced technology and solutions for the ocean space. The business line Positioning & Monitoring develops advanced solutions for accurate subsea positioning, underwater communication and monitoring. Our technology is used in demanding offshore, marine and subsea operations worldwide, where reliability, precision and performance are critical.

We are seeking an engaged and forward-looking Department Manager R&D to lead our Positioning and Monitoring R&D team. The team consists of 20-30 highly skilled engineers with expertise in software, electronics, cybernetics, signal processing, and mechanical design. In this role, you will be responsible for team development, resource management, project execution support, and continuous improvement of the R&D function.

You will work closely with Product Management, Sales, and other business units across Kongsberg Discovery to ensure successful product development and delivery.

What you will be doing

• Lead, develop, and inspire a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Build and maintain the competencies and capabilities required for current and future product development.
• Ensure effective staffing and allocation of resources across development and maintenance projects.
• Coach, support, and empower employees to achieve their full potential.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Drive initiatives to improve R&D efficiency, quality, and performance.
• Facilitate project reporting, resource planning, and budgeting processes.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management to align development activities with business priorities.
• Contribute as a member of the Business Unit Management Team.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Technology, Business Administration, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Proven leadership experience, including leading and developing teams.
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop employees.
• Experience with resource management and project prioritization in a technical environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working in international and cross-functional organizations.
• A structured and reliable approach to leadership and execution.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational follow-up.
• Experience from product development, R&D, or technology-driven organizations is highly desirable.

Pre-employment check and Security Clearance

This employment may require a pre-employment check procedure and security clearance in accordance with company security standards, role or site requirements. Please note that this might affect the offer process or employment.

Diversity statement

At KONGSBERG, we believe that diversity fuels innovation. We encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet every requirement. Your unique perspective is valuable to us. Your skills, attitude and perspective could be exactly what we are looking for!

Where you will be working

Interested in knowing more?

About KONGSBERG

KONGSBERG protects people and critical infrastructure – from deep sea to space.

We deliver advanced ocean and space technologies – from autonomous marine systems to satellites and data services – supporting sustainability, climate monitoring, infrastructure protection, and security.KONGSBERG also develop innovative technologies for defence, security, and surveillance markets, combining military and civilian expertise. Our defence and security solutions span missiles, weapon stations, air defence, command and control, and digital towers.

Today, we have more than 7,500 employees in about 20 countries. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and the Norwegian government controls about 50.01 percent of the shares.

About Discovery

The Discovery division develops technologies for sustainable ocean resource management, climate monitoring, critical infrastructure protection, and national security. Its technology platforms and solutions support offshore operations, fisheries, ocean research, maritime operations, sea-based energy production, and naval defence. Products include sonars, underwater communication equipment, satellites, surveillance and positioning systems, and autonomous vehicles. Customers span offshore, fisheries, marine research, maritime, energy, surveillance, defence, and naval sectors.