Aerospace R&D Engineering Manager — 4-Day Week & Growth

Motive Workforce; Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 140,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4-Day work week

Employer-paid medical

401(k) with match

Paid time off & holidays

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Motive Workforce seeks an experienced Research & Development Engineering Manager in Northern Nevada to lead advanced aerospace assembly technologies, drive innovation, and manage multidisciplinary teams. The role emphasizes creating IP, competitive differentiation, and delivering measurable R&D milestones.

You will shape technology roadmaps, oversee experiments, and collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, and Sales to transition new capabilities to production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
• 8–12+ years of progressive R&D experience in aerospace or advanced manufacturing.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering, scientific, or technical teams.
• Strong background in materials, joining technologies, adhesives, thermoplastics, surface prep/analysis, fasteners.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute R&D strategies and technology roadmaps aligned with long-term objectives.
• Identify emerging materials, processes, and fastening technologies to improve performance, weight, and cost.
• Lead development of adhesives and bonding systems, thermoplastics, laser prep, and mechanical fastening solutions.
• Drive R&D programs through prototyping, validation, qualification, and commercialization.
• Lead innovation pipeline to turn ideas into viable products and IP.
• Mentor and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team.

Skills

R&D leadership

Roadmapping

IP strategy

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Materials/Cysics or related

Master's or PhD preferred

Tools

Laser processing

Surface analysis

Adhesives & bonding

Job description

Motive Workforce seeks an experienced Research & Development Engineering Manager in Northern Nevada to lead advanced aerospace assembly technologies, drive innovation, and manage multidisciplinary teams. The role emphasizes creating IP, competitive differentiation, and delivering measurable R&D milestones.

You will shape technology roadmaps, oversee experiments, and collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, and Sales to transition new capabilities to production.