Research & Development Manager
Baker Hughes Gruppe
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Baker Hughes is seeking a Research and Development Manager in the United States to lead the Upstream Chemicals R&D Group within the Technical Advisory Council Leader organization. You will oversee project management, prioritize milestones, and coordinate with regional teams to deliver safe, high-impact innovations.
The role requires strong leadership, technical depth in upstream chemicals, and a proven ability to guide cross-functional teams toward commercialization while maintaining safety and
Qualifications
- Have 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.
- Or have a 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 projects.
- 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 are executed in accordance with applicable HSE, quality, and operational standards.
- Manage operating and capital expenditure planning for the R&D Group, ensuring resources are deployed effectively 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 where appropriate to accelerate technology development.
- Communicate project status, risks, resource needs, and business impact clearly to the Technical Advisory Council Leader and relevant stakeholders.
- Lead special projects as assigned in support of Upstream Chemicals Technology strategy.
Skills
Education
Job description
Do you have a proven track record of leading R&D teams and delivering innovative solutions through disciplined project execution?
Are you motivated by the opportunity to build technical capability, accelerate commercialization, and support sustainable growth in a global organization?
Partnering with the best
As a Research and Development Manager, you will provide a vital service by implementing, monitoring, troubleshooting, and evaluating chemical treatment programs. You will take ownership of key customer accounts to ensure they have the services and products required to operate safely and efficiently.
The Research and Development Manager will lead the Upstream Chemicals R&D Group within the Technical Advisory Council Leader organization. This role is accountable for disciplined project management and execution across Flow Assurance, Integrity Management, and Production Optimization for Technology Development, Product Development, and Research Development projects. The position will manage a team of scientists and technicians, ensuring R&D priorities are aligned with business needs, customer challenges, Portfolio Management, Product Commercialization/Optimization, Technical Advisors/SMEs, and regional technical teams.
The role is expected to strengthen R&D execution, improve project visibility and accountability, accelerate high-impact innovation, and develop technical talent within the R&D organization. This leader will help translate regional voice-of-customer input and product line priorities into executable project plans while maintaining focus on safety, quality, cost discipline, and measurable technology outcomes.
- Leading project management across Flow Assurance, Integrity Management, and Production Optimization for TD, PD, and RD projects.
- Owning the R&D operating rhythm, including project prioritization, milestone tracking, resource planning, risk management, and regular progress reviews.
- Ensuring R&D projects are aligned with the Technology Roadmap, Portfolio Management priorities, regional needs, and customer-driven opportunities.
- Managing, coaching, and developing scientists and technicians within the R&D Group, including performance management, competency development, succession planning, and career growth.
- Driving disciplined execution of innovation projects from idea intake through laboratory development, validation, qualification, field trial planning, and commercialization support.
- Partnering with Technical Advisors, SMEs, PLM, PCO, regional technical teams, and Service Delivery to convert customer and regional needs into actionable R&D programs.
- Establishing clear project accountability, deliverables, timelines, and success metrics for R&D programs across the product portfolio.
- Supporting the development of new chemistries, product improvements, cost optimization opportunities, and product competitiveness initiatives.
- Maintaining visibility to R&D capacity and resource allocation to balance long-term innovation, urgent business needs, and technical support requirements.
- Promoting a strong safety culture and ensure laboratory activities are executed in accordance with applicable HSE, quality, and operational standards.
- Managing operational and capital expenditure planning for the R&D Group, ensuring resources are deployed effectively against strategic priorities.
- Improving documentation, knowledge capture, technical rigor, and consistency across R&D workflows and project reviews.
- Supporting external collaborations, joint development opportunities, vendor engagement, and third-party testing where appropriate to accelerate technology development.
- Communicating project status, risks, resource needs, and business impact clearly to the Technical Advisory Council Leader and relevant stakeholders.
- Leading special projects as assigned in support of Upstream Chemicals Technology strategy.
- Have 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.
- Or have a 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
- Have 2+ years of direct leadership or managerial experience preferred.
- Have Experience with Flow Assurance, Integrity Management, andor Production Optimization chemistry programs.
- Have Experience managing TD, PD, RD, or similar stage-gated technology/product development projects.
- Have Experience working with Clarity, PDM, product qualification workflows, or similar project governance systems.
- Have Experience translating customer, regional, or portfolio needs into executable R&D project plans.
- Have Strong business acumen and ability to connect technical work to commercial outcomes, product competitiveness, cost optimization, and customer value.
- Have Ability to operate in a matrixed global organization and align priorities across Technology, PLM, PCO, Sales, Service Delivery, and regional technical teams.
- Have Demonstrated ability to create structure, accountability, and transparency in complex technical organizations.
- Have Ability to mentor scientists, build technical capability, and strengthen succession depth within the R&D organization.
- Have willingness to travel up to 20% of the time.
We recognize that everyone is different and that the way in which people want to work and deliver at their best is different for everyone too.
Our people are at the heart of what we do at Baker Hughes. We know we are stronger when our people are developed, engaged, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We invest in wellbeing, capability development, and leadership growth across all levels.
Our innovations have transformed the energy industry for over a century. To continue progressing, we look for individuals who embrace change and contribute to building the future.
- Contemporary work-life balance policies and wellbeing activities
- Comprehensive private medical care options
- Safety net of life insurance and disability programs
- Tailored financial programs
- Additional elected or voluntary benefits
This position requires valid work authorization in the country of employment. The employer is unable to sponsor work authorization for this role at any time
You will be eligible to participate in Company-sponsored benefit programs, including health & welfare programs and the Thrift Plan (401k). You will have a choice of coverage options that best suit your needs. Coverage options and contribution amounts are related to your benefit elections, base salary level, and specific requirements of each of these plans.
This position is eligible for our comprehensive and competitive benefits package, which can be found here, and is further eligible for additional forms of compensation such as bonuses subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plans or policies.
The Baker Hughes internal title for this role is: Senior Team Leader, Chemistry & Chemical, Research and Technology Development
We are an energy technology company that provides solutions to energy and industrial customers worldwide. Built on a century of experience and conducting business in over 120 countries, our innovative technologies and services are taking energy forward – making it safer, cleaner and more efficient for people and the planet.
Are you seeking an opportunity to make a real difference in a company that values innovation and progress? Join us and become part of a team of people who will challenge and inspire you! Let’s come together and take energy forward.
Baker Hughes Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
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