Director of Thermal Systems R&D & Innovation

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 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