Global Director of Research & Development

Eriez; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Medical Insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Employee assistance program

Flexible spending account

Paid time off

Referral program

Job summary

Eriez is seeking a Global Director of Research and Development to lead the worldwide R&D program, guiding engineers and designers from concept to final product in a customer-focused, fast-moving environment.

You will drive Stage-Gate project execution, align with sales and marketing, mentor R&D managers, and ensure on-time, within-budget delivery while advancing innovative, cost-effective solutions. Travel to customer sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in electrical or mechanical engineering.
• Master of Science and/or professional engineering license desirable.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in engineering or R&D.
• Minimum 10 years supervisory experience.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience in new product development.

Responsibilities

• Direct the Eriez global research and development program.
• Execute projects from new product proposal to commercial release using Stage-Gate principles.
• Provide periodic updates to corporate management.
• Drive accountability, consistency, quality, and product improvement/standardization across all phases of R&D.
• Develop and monitor R&D plans, ensuring on-time and within-budget completion.
• Promote a productive R&D culture with customer focus on innovation and quality.
• Supervise R&D managers and set objectives.
• Support manufacturing and marketing to ensure high product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Represent the company at conferences and customer visits; collaborate with academic/industrial partners.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Engineering management

Team supervision

Education

B.S. in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

M.S. or PE desirable

Job description

The Global Director of Research and Development oversees the company's global R&D program and is responsible for ensuring Eriez meets objectives for researching and developing new products or technologies and improve existing products. This role leads the company's research staff by planning and developing products to meet customer needs and remain competitive in the marketplace as determined by sales and marketing. This position requires leadership of a team of engineers and designers to research and develop new product lines from initial concept to final product. Responsibilities include defining the work scope, evaluating manpower requirements, and defining the timeline required to complete the project.

Primary Responsibilities

• Direct the Eriez global research and development program.
• Execute projects from new product proposal to commercial release using Stage-Gate principles.
• Provide periodic updates to corporate management.
• Drive accountability, consistency, quality, and product improvement/standardization across all phases of research and development.
• Responsible for developing and monitoring research and development plans for the R&D group, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget and in accordance with corporate strategic plans.
• Promote a productive R&D culture that is motivated and accountable having a customer focus on innovation and quality.
• Explore new engineering technologies and approaches and determine their applicability while keeping abreast of competitive products and technology advances.
• Supervise R&D managers making sure reviews are completed and objectives are set.
• Assist in the development of talent within the organization and make recommendations for promotions and new additions to ensure adequate R&D staffing.
• Support manufacturing and marketing groups to ensure high product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Represent the company at conferences and customer visits and collaborate externally with academic and industrial partners in accordance with strategic plans.
• Provide support to intellectual property lifecycle management.
• Promote the corporate vision and ensure alignment within the organizations strategic plan.
• Travel to customer sites and affiliates as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in electrical or mechanical engineering.
• Master of Science degree and/or professional engineering license desirable.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in engineering or R&D environment.
• Minimum 10 years supervisory experience.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Proven record of direct management of resources and teams.
• Understanding of best practices in project management and customer centric approach to product development.
• Demonstrated experience in new product development.
• Ability to work across a large organization.
• Demonstrate a high level of creativity and ingenuity to provide reliable, cost-effective solutions to design issues.
• Possess machine design experience with the ability to review product designs from an engineering point of view and determine the critical components or design features.
• Knowledge of scientific and engineering practices for machine design including knowledge of ANSI/AWS documentation practices and procedures.
• Ability to travel as required.

Benefits and Perks

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Medical Insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Paid time off
• Referral program

Eriez is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is clear: there shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race/ethnicity, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation. We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.