Lead, Upstream R&D & Technology Development

Baker Hughes Holdings LLC; Sugar Land (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical care

Life insurance

401(k) plan

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Baker Hughes Holdings LLC is seeking an experienced Research and Development Manager in Sugar Land, TX, to lead the Upstream Chemicals R&D Group within the Technical Advisory Council Leader organization. You will drive disciplined project management, prioritize milestones, and align with business needs while maintaining safety and quality as top priorities.

You will manage scientists and technicians, translate customer and regional needs into executable R&D programs, and ensure delivery of

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 7+ years of relevant experience in R&D, technology development, product development, engineering, or upstream chemicals.
• Master's degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 5+ years of relevant experience in R&D, technology development, product development, engineering, or upstream chemicals.
• Have demonstrated experience managing technical projects, innovation programs, or product development activities.
• Have strong project management skills, including prioritization, planning, milestone management, risk management, and cross-functional execution.
• Have ability to manage multiple technical projects across diverse product lines and stakeholders.
• Have strong technical understanding of upstream production chemicals, laboratory development, product qualification, or field application requirements.
• Have proven ability to lead, coach, and develop technical personnel.
• Have excellent communication, organizational, planning, and presentation skills.
• Have strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence R&D, technical advisors, portfolio teams, regional teams, and business stakeholders.
• Have demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, compliance, and operational discipline

Responsibilities

• Lead project management across Flow Assurance, Integrity Management, and Production Optimization for TD, PD, and RD programs.
• Own the R&D operating rhythm, including project prioritization, milestone tracking, resource planning, risk management, and regular progress reviews.
• Ensure R&D projects are aligned with the Technology Roadmap, Portfolio Management priorities, regional needs, and customer-driven opportunities.
• Manage, coach, and develop scientists and technicians within the R&D Group, including performance management, competency development, succession planning, and career growth.
• Drive disciplined execution of innovation projects from idea intake through laboratory development, validation, qualification, field trial planning, and commercialization support.
• Partner with Technical Advisors, SMEs, PLM, PCO, regional technical teams, and Service Delivery to convert customer and regional needs into actionable R&D programs.
• Establish clear project accountability, deliverables, timelines, and success metrics for R&D programs across the product portfolio.
• Support the development of new chemistries, product improvements, cost optimization opportunities, and product competitiveness initiatives.
• Maintain visibility to R&D capacity and resource allocation to balance long-term innovation, urgent business needs, and technical support requirements.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure laboratory activities comply with applicable HSE, quality, and operational standards.
• Manage operational and capital expenditure planning for the R&D Group, ensuring resources are deployed against strategic priorities.
• Improve documentation, knowledge capture, technical rigor, and consistency across R&D workflows and project reviews.
• Support external collaborations, joint development opportunities, vendor engagement, and third-party testing to accelerate technology development.
• Communicate project status, risks, resource needs, and business impact clearly to the Technical Advisory Council Leader and stakeholders.
• Lead special projects as assigned in support of Upstream Chemicals Technology strategy.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry/chemical engineering/materials science/engineering

Master's degree in chemistry/chemical engineering/materials science/engineering

Tools

Clarity

PDM

Job description

Baker Hughes Holdings LLC is seeking an experienced Research and Development Manager in Sugar Land, TX, to lead the Upstream Chemicals R&D Group within the Technical Advisory Council Leader organization. You will drive disciplined project management, prioritize milestones, and align with business needs while maintaining safety and quality as top priorities.

You will manage scientists and technicians, translate customer and regional needs into executable R&D programs, and ensure delivery of