Director of Research and Development

Hayden Industrial; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health

Dental

Vision

401(k) retirement plan with company-

Generous PTO

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Hayden Industrial in Tulsa, OK is seeking a Director of Research and Development to lead the innovation, design, and advancement of heat transfer equipment and thermal systems. You will develop new products, improve existing designs, and ensure performance, safety, and regulatory compliance.

This exempt, full-time role reports to the executive team and requires a Master’s degree (PhD preferred), 10+ years in thermal design, 5+ years in leadership, and a proven record of launching engineered

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical/Thermal engineering required.
• PhD preferred.
• PE license preferred.
• 10+ years in thermal system design or heat transfer.
• 5+ years in engineering leadership or R&D management.
• Experience with pressure vessels and thermal system compliance standards.
• Proven success launching engineered industrial products.
• Strong knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer principles.
• Experience with CFD and FEA tools.
• Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar).
• Understanding of manufacturing processes (welding, brazing, machining, fabrication).

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the R&D strategy aligned with company growth objectives.
• Oversee thermal modeling, simulation (CFD/FEA), and performance testing.
• Ensure compliance with industry codes and standards (ASME, API, TEMA, AHRI, ISO).
• Develop and manage the R&D budget.
• Prioritize and allocate resources across development projects.
• Evaluate ROI and business case justification for new product initiatives.
• Partner with Sales and Applications Engineering to develop customer-specific solutions.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing to ensure Design for Manufacturability.
• Support Supply Chain with material selection and vendor qualification.
• Work with Quality and Field Service to resolve product performance issues.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Thermal system design

Heat transfer knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Education

Master’s degree in Mechanical/Thermal engineering

PhD preferred

PE license preferred

Tools

CFD/FEA tools

CAD software (SolidWorks/AutoCAD)

Job description

Hayden Industrial, a leading manufacturer of industrial cooling systems, is seeking an experienced

Director of Research and Development reporting to our Tulsa, OK facility. The Director of Research and Development will be responsible for the innovation, design, and advancement of heat transfer equipment and thermal system technologies. This role is responsible for developing new products, improving existing designs, and ensuring the company remains competitive in performance, efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the R&D strategy aligned with company growth objectives.
• Identify emerging thermal technologies, materials, and industry trends.
• Drive product roadmap planning and lifecycle management.
• Evaluate new market opportunities (energy efficiency, electrification, sustainability).
• Lead development of heat exchangers, condensers, radiators, or other thermal systems.
• Oversee thermal modeling, simulation (CFD/FEA), and performance testing.
• Improve heat transfer efficiency, durability, manufacturability, and cost structure.
• Approve engineering designs, calculations, specifications, and test protocols.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Sales and Applications Engineering to develop customer-specific solutions.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing to ensure Design for Manufacturability.
• Support Supply Chain with material selection and vendor qualification.
• Work with Quality and Field Service to resolve product performance issues.

Compliance & Standards

• Ensure compliance with relevant industry codes and standards (e.g., ASME, API, TEMA, AHRI, ISO).
• Oversee safety analysis, pressure vessel compliance, and certification processes.
• Maintain adherence to environmental and energy efficiency regulations.

Budget & Resource Management

• Develop and manage the R&D budget.
• Prioritize and allocate resources across development projects.
• Evaluate ROI and business case justification for new product initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or related field required
• PHD preferred
• PE license preferred
• 10+ years in thermal system design or heat transfer equipment engineering
• 5+ years in engineering leadership or R&D management
• Experience with pressure vessels and thermal system compliance standards
• Proven success launching engineered industrial products
• Strong knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer principles
• Experience with CFD and FEA tools
• Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar)
• Understanding of manufacturing processes (welding, brazing, machining, fabrication)

This position has supervisory responsibilities.

This job is based in a manufacturing environment with a combination of office and plant floor responsibilities. This role uses standard office equipment. When in the manufacturing facility, all employees are required to wear personal protective equipment to include/hearing protection, and safety glasses with side shields, and OSHA compliant safety boots/shoes.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing duties of this job, the employee in this position is regularly required to stand for long periods of time. This position requires walking, the ability to reach, ascend/descend ladders, bend, kneel, and stoop. The employee occasionally will lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is an exempt position. This is a full-time position with travel between the Tulsa and Claremore locations. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

Travel:

Travel is required for this position.

Hayden Industrial offers a generous benefits package including

• comprehensive health
• dental
• vision
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• a generous paid time off schedule
• professional development opportunities

AAP/EEO Statement:

Hayden Industrial is an equal employment opportunity employer. Hayden Industrial recognizes and embraces federal legislation on equal employment opportunity and is committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination. All applicants for employment and all employees will be afforded equal opportunity and treatment, regardless of age, race, religion, gender, national origin, disability status or other protected status.

All employees are responsible for complying with all applicable Federal, State and Local Laws, rules and regulations regarding non-discrimination practices.