R&D Director

Hexcel; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Hexcel is seeking an R&D Director for Salt Lake City, UT, to lead qualification, testing, and lifecycle management of Hexcel materials across the Americas and Global Fibers regions. You will manage qualification resources, ensure customer and regulatory compliance, and drive innovation and post-launch support while guiding a matrix team across multiple sites.

The role emphasizes LEAN, Six Sigma, data analysis, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to deliver high-performance composite

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science & Engineering required; Ph.D. preferred.
• Strong leadership of laboratory operations and technical teams.
• Experience with qualification processes, method development, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams with emphasis on safety, inclusion, accountability, and learning.
• Direct testing and laboratory operations including budgets and capital investments.
• Oversee qualification and validation activities for materials and processes.
• Ensure equipment qualification, data quality, analysis, and reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Data analysis

Project management

Quality systems

Lean Six Sigma

Communication

Materials science

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science & Engineering

Ph.D. preferred

Job description

With our strong investment in research and development and our culture of continuous improvement, Hexcel is the industry leader in the manufacturing of advanced lightweight composite materials, including carbon fiber, woven reinforcements, resins, prepregs, honeycombs and engineered core and composite structures. We invite you to join the Hexcel team at various manufacturing sites, sales offices, and R&D centers around the globe. Become a part of the “strength within.” Hexcel is currently seeking a R&D Director for our Salt Lake City, UT, USA location. Lead the qualification, testing, and lifecycle management of Hexcel materials and processes to enable initial and sustained product sales across the Americas and Global Fibers regions. Own material qualification programs, customer specifications, source change validation, and post-launch technical support, ensuring compliance with customer and regulatory requirements. Manage qualification resources, technical capital investments, and change control activities to maintain customer approvals, support innovation and R&D initiatives, and drive the successful introduction and ongoing performance of Hexcel materials

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams by fostering a culture of safety, inclusion, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Drive employee performance and organizational effectiveness through coaching, talent development, succession planning, and leadership of technical personnel.
• Direct testing and laboratory operations, including resource planning, budgets, capital investments, and facility management to support qualification, research, and product development activities.
• Ensure laboratory readiness through qualification of equipment, advancement of testing methods and capabilities, and oversight of data quality, analysis, and reporting.
• Provide technical leadership in composite materials, polymers, and material performance to support material qualification, source changes, and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Lead customer-facing qualification and validation efforts, including support for material approvals, specification compliance, and technical issue resolution.
• Own quality management systems and ensure compliance with customer requirements, regulatory standards, AS9100, and EHS programs.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives utilizing RCCA, Lean, 5S, and data-driven practices to improve laboratory effectiveness and business performance.
• Establish and maintain systems to monitor operational performance, capital expenditures, equipment assets, project priorities, and business objectives.
• Build alignment across a matrix organization and influence stakeholders to successfully execute qualification, testing, and change management programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science & Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, or a related technical discipline; Ph.D. preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in testing, qualification engineering, or related technical leadership roles.
• Strong understanding of material science principles, data analysis, troubleshooting, and validation methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading laboratory operations, technical teams, and complex testing environments.
• Expert knowledge of materials testing, qualification processes, and method development; composite materials experience preferred.
• Proven project and portfolio management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results.
• Experience with quality systems, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, RCCA, and Six Sigma.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to lead effectively within a matrixed organization and navigate ambiguity while driving business outcomes.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and talent development capabilities.

Eligible candidates must be a: U.S. citizen, U.S. national, person lawfully admitted for permanent residence, temporary resident under sections 210(a) or 245(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, person admitted in refugee status, or person granted asylum.

Hexcel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected class.