R&D Project Specialist

HexArmor, Limited; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

HexArmor is seeking an on-site R&D Project Specialist at its Grand Rapids, MI headquarters to drive the intake, prioritization, and delivery of R&D projects. You will manage data flow from technicians and engineers, oversee 60+ active projects daily, and coordinate with a cross-functional team to ensure timely, accurate results that inform leadership decisions.

The role blends project management, data analytics, and process improvement in a fast-paced lab environment, with emphasis on data

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field.
• 3+ years of experience in data analytics, project management, technical operations, quality assurance, or laboratory operations.
• Experience leading and coaching teams in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work with large data sets.
• Excellent communication skills to translate technical information for varied audiences.

Responsibilities

• Own intake, prioritization, tracking, processing, and timely delivery of R&D project and data requests.
• Manage flow of technical data from technicians and engineers, identify bottlenecks, and improve processes.
• Oversee daily project activity with 60+ active projects and 6–10 incoming requests per day.
• Coordinate work across a team of ~5 members with growth potential.
• Establish and maintain systems for data capture, validation, processing, analysis, and reporting.
• Analyze technical data to identify trends and support decision-making for leadership and stakeholders.
• Coordinate with engineers, technicians, scientists, product development, quality, and other stakeholders to ensure deliverables are on time.
• Develop and maintain project tracking and workflow tools to improve visibility into status and capacity.
• Ensure data integrity, accuracy, and documentation throughout workflows.
• Support laboratory testing processes including data collection and testing coordination.
• Prepare technical reports, dashboards, and summaries communicating findings effectively.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and standardize workflows to reduce delays.
• Support compliance with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and quality systems.
• Assist with ISO-related activities and quality assurance initiatives as applicable.
• Support training and knowledge transfer within R&D as needed.
• Contribute to research initiatives including patent research and other support activities.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Data Analytics/Statistics/Engineering/Science/Information Systems/Business Analytics

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Data visualization tools

Reporting tools

Job description

HexArmor® is a leader in developing some of the most advanced PPE solutions for your eyes, hands, arms, and body. At HexArmor®, we believe safety is not a luxury – it’s a necessity. Since day one, we have worked hand-in-hand with our customers to design innovative, high performance PPE that helps ensure workers return home in the same condition they arrived. Our mission is to provide the protection that makes this possible, for every worker, everywhere.

SUMMARY

The R&D Project Specialist will lead the flow of R&D projects and technical data from intake through completion, ensuring accurate, timely, and actionable information reaches key stakeholders. This role combines project management, data analytics, and process improvement in a fast-paced R&D and laboratory environment.

Managing 6–10 incoming requests daily and supporting 60+ active projects, this is an opportunity to have meaningful impact on people and process while improving how a growing R&D organization turns technical data and testing into insights that drive better decisions and outcomes.

LOCATION

(Onsite) HexArmor Headquarters in Grand Rapids, MI – 640 Leffingwell Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own the intake, prioritization, tracking, processing, and timely delivery of R&D project and data requests.


• Manage the flow of technical data generated by technicians and engineers, identifying bottlenecks and improving processes that delay analysis or delivery.


• Oversee daily project activity, balancing approximately 60+ active projects and 6–10 incoming requests per day while maintaining quality and turnaround expectations.


• Coordinate work across a broader resource pool of approximately five team members, with responsibility expected to expand as the team grows.


• Establish and maintain organized systems for data capture, validation, processing, analysis, documentation, and reporting.


• Analyze technical and project data to identify trends, support decision-making, and provide clear, actionable information to R&D leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.


• Coordinate with engineers, technicians, scientists, product development, quality, and other stakeholders to clarify project requirements and ensure deliverables are completed accurately and on time.


• Develop and maintain project tracking, reporting, and workflow tools that improve visibility into project status, workload, priorities, and resource capacity.


• Ensure data integrity, accuracy, traceability, and appropriate documentation throughout the project and laboratory workflow.


• Support laboratory testing processes, including data collection, sample preparation, technical documentation, and coordination of testing activities as needed.


• Prepare technical reports, dashboards, presentations, and other summaries that communicate project and analytical findings effectively.


• Identify opportunities to improve processes, standardize workflows, reduce delays, and increase the efficiency of data and project management activities.


• Support compliance with applicable industry standards, regulatory requirements, quality systems, and company policies.


• Assist with auditing, standards development/management, ISO-related activities, or quality assurance initiatives as applicable.


• Support technical training and knowledge transfer within the R&D organization as needed.


• Contribute to research initiatives, including technical projects, patent research, and other support-based activities as assigned by management.


• Support the Customer Experience Center by logging customer data into Salesforce and tracking outcomes related to cost savings or revenue generation, as applicable.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Analytics, Statistics, Engineering, Science, Information Systems, Business Analytics, or a related technical field.


• 3+ years of experience in data analytics, project management, technical operations, quality assurance, laboratory operations, engineering support, or a related field.


• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, prioritize, and hold team members accountable.


• Experience working in a technical, laboratory, engineering, manufacturing, quality, or other complex process-driven environment.


• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to work with large or complex data sets.


• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.


• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify process gaps, investigate root causes, and implement practical improvements.


• Strong communication skills, including the ability to translate technical or analytical information for different audiences.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; experience with data visualization, reporting, or database tools is preferred.


• Ability to work effectively with engineers, technicians, scientists, and other cross-functional stakeholders.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with auditing, ISO systems, or formal quality management systems.


• Laboratory or laboratory testing experience.


• Experience with standards management, standards development, or technical documentation.


• Experience developing or delivering technical training.


• Experience with PPE, materials science, mechanical testing, or product development.


• Experience with regulatory requirements and quality assurance processes.


• Experience with Salesforce or similar CRM/data-management platforms.


• Experience building dashboards, reports, or workflow tools to improve operational visibility.

Leadership & Performance Expectations

• Creates structure and accountability in a high-volume, deadline-driven technical environment.


• Maintains a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail in data and project deliverables.


• Develops team capability through coaching, prioritization, feedback, and technical knowledge sharing.


• Anticipates workflow constraints and proactively addresses issues before they impact project timelines.


• Balances speed, quality, and resource capacity when prioritizing incoming work.


• Office and laboratory setting with regular interaction with R&D, engineering, technical, and cross-functional teams. Hands-on interaction with laboratory equipment, materials, prototypes, and technical documentation may be required. Occasional travel may be required for conferences, site visits, customer engagements, or partner collaboration.

COMPENSATION

• Salary + bonus

HexArmor is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

At HexArmor, we believe diversity in people and ideas makes us stronger. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse employee workforce honoring people’s experiences, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds. As one HexArmor community, we strive to create and maintain a working environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and impartial. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know.

Employment offers are contingent upon an E-Verify check and the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check

HexArmor's Notification of GDPR

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in HexArmor’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A \"disabled veteran\" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A \"recently separated veteran\" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An \"active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran\" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An \"Armed forces service medal veteran\" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.