Manager, R&D Engineering

CompoSecure; New Jersey; On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

CompoSecure in Somerset, NJ is seeking an R&D Engineering Manager to lead a multidisciplinary team while actively contributing to product development, prototyping, testing, and process innovation. This senior role combines leadership with hands-on engineering in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

You will mentor engineers, drive technical standards, and shepherd projects from concept to commercialization, balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability while ensuring quality and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering; MSc preferred.
• 7+ years in R&D/product engineering in manufacturing.
• Proven track record leading engineers or technical teams.
• Hands-on with designs, prototypes, experiments, and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and hands-on contribution to design, development, and industrialization of new products, materials, and processes.
• Lead prototyping, test design, experimentation, data analysis, process development, and scale-up.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and validation documentation.
• Drive technology transfer from R&D into production with ownership of technical readiness.
• Coach and develop R&D engineers across multiple disciplines and set clear technical expectations.
• Foster ownership, accountability, curiosity, and constructive challenge within the team.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Product to ensure feasibility and scalability.
• Oversee new product development from concept to commercialization and evaluate novel materials/architectures.

Skills

Technical Leadership

Hands-On

Prototyping

Root-Cause Analysis

Cross-Disciplinary

Manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

MSc preferred

Tools

CAD/CAE

ISO Quality Systems

Job description

Position Overview

The R&D Engineering Manager is a senior, hands‑on technical leader. They will be the source of energy and enthusiasm for their team. We are looking for a partner who will lead by example, mentor a multidisciplinary R&D engineering team, and be directly involved in product development, process innovation, and problem‑solving.

This role is not purely managerial. The ideal candidate is a working engineer who actively contributes to designs, prototypes, experiments, root‑cause analysis, and industrialization. They will create a network in the company to move products from concept to commercialization at a cadence. They will remove obstacles and ensure engineers are productive, aligned, and accountable.

They should have first‑hand experience in product development and a proven track record of taking initiative, making trade‑offs, and creating new paths where none exist.

The R&D Engineering Manager will work onsite 5 days a week out of our office in Somerset, NJ.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Hands‑On Contribution
• Lead the design, development, and industrialization of new products, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Remain hands‑on with prototyping and experimental builds, test design, execution, and data analysis, process development and scale‑up, root‑cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Review and contribute to engineering drawings, specifications, test protocols, technical reports, work instructions, and validation documentation.
• Drive technology transfer from R&D into production with full ownership of technical readiness.
• People Leadership & Team Development
• Lead, mentor, and develop R&D engineers across multiple disciplines (mechanical, electrical, materials, chemical, manufacturing).
• Set clear technical expectations and standards for engineering rigor, documentation, and execution.
• Actively coach engineers through complex technical problems, not just assign tasks.
• Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, curiosity, and constructive challenge.
• Partner with engineers to remove roadblocks and help them succeed rather than escalating problems prematurely.
• New Product Development & Innovation
• Lead next‑generation and new product development initiatives from concept through commercialization.
• Identify and evaluate novel materials, architectures, and processes.
• Balance innovation with manufacturability, cost, reliability, and compliance.
• Support invention disclosures and patent preparation where appropriate.
• Make sound engineering decisions when performance targets conflict with cost, schedule, or manufacturability.
• Execution, Prioritization & Problem Solving
• Take ownership when plans break down – define a new path forward rather than waiting for direction.
• Make informed decisions with imperfect data and communicate rationale clearly.
• Prioritize work across multiple projects to focus effort on what most impacts business outcomes.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Product to ensure feasibility and scalability.
• Drive prototype builds, pilot runs, and qualification efforts to completion.
• Process & Continuous Improvement
• Identify improved methods for existing products and processes.
• Lead qualification of new materials, suppliers, or equipment.
• Ensure engineering activities align with ISO, EMS, and internal quality systems.
• Champion documentation discipline while keeping it practical and value driven.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, Chemical, or related field); MSc. preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive R&D and/or product engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineers or technical teams (formal or informal).
• Proven track record of bringing products or processes from concept to production.
• Strong experimental mindset: test design, data interpretation, and failure analysis.
• Comfortable working across disciplines (materials, electronics, mechanical systems, manufacturing).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to explain complex topics clearly.
• Highly organized, yet adaptable in fast‑moving, high‑ambiguity environments.
• Hands‑on by nature – does not distance themselves from technical work.
• Bias for action – moves problems forward rather than escalating prematurely.
• Resilient problem‑solver – finds ways to make things work under constraints.
• Technically credible – earns respect by contributing, not just directing.
• Keeps calm under pressure – steady when timelines, costs, or requirements shift.
• Stays curious and learns continuously.

Physical Requirements And Work Environment

• Onsite engineering, office, and factory environment.
• Must be able to support prototype builds and factory trials as required.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs and work in manufacturing settings when needed.
• Will be required to perform other job functions, as assigned.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well‑being, and work‑life balance, including medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage; FSA/HSA options; company‑paid life and disability insurance; 401(k) with company match; paid time off (PTO) and holidays; annual bonus opportunities; an employee assistance program (EAP); and opportunities for career growth and advancement.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CompoSecure is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. We are also an equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.