Senior R&D Engineering Lead

Barnhart Energy Company; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus

401(k) with company match up to10% of

Health, dental and vision insurance

Paid time off

Barnhart CARES family care and service

Job summary

Barnhart is seeking a Lead Research & Development Engineer to steer high-complexity projects, mentor engineers, and contribute hands-on to mechanical and structural design. You will balance technical depth with team leadership to deliver safe, cost-effective solutions and drive innovation across projects.

The role requires 10+ years of experience, a PE license, and strong communication with executives and clients.

Qualifications

• The candidate has 10+ years of progressive engineering experience in mechanical and/or structural design for heavy lift or related industries.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is required; OSHA 10 is preferred.
• Experience leading engineering teams and delivering complex, high-impact projects.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• ABET-accredited Bachelor's in mechanical or civil engineering.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate a single engineering team, ensuring alignment with objectives, standards, and processes.
• Maintain hands-on technical contribution in complex analysis, design, and problem solving.
• Act as technical authority for high-complexity projects and reviews.
• Improve team throughput, reduce rework, and drive efficient execution.
• Drive innovation and strategy for next-generation equipment and methods.
• Engage stakeholders, report risks, and ensure quality and safety compliance.
• Provide technical leadership during critical lift operations.

Skills

Mechanical design

Structural analysis

Leadership

Communication

Education

ABET-accredited Bachelor's in Mechanical or Civil Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Inventor

ANSYS

Nastran

Abaqus

RISA-3D

Job description

Barnhart is seeking a Lead Research & Development Engineer to steer high-complexity projects, mentor engineers, and contribute hands-on to mechanical and structural design. You will balance technical depth with team leadership to deliver safe, cost-effective solutions and drive innovation across projects.

The role requires 10+ years of experience, a PE license, and strong communication with executives and clients.