Research & Development (R&D) Engineer — Job Description
Summary
Drive innovation by designing, prototyping, testing, and scaling new products, processes, or technologies from concept through pilot and handoff to production.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead concept development, feasibility studies, and technology evaluations to address product or process requirements.
- Design, build, and iterate prototypes, proof-of-concepts, and experimental setups.
- Plan and execute experiments; collect, analyze, and interpret data to inform design decisions.
- Develop technical specifications, design documentation, and validation plans.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (product, manufacturing, QA, supply chain, regulatory) to ensure designs meet requirements and are manufacturable.
- Translate lab-scale results into scalable processes; support pilot runs and scale-up activities.
- Implement engineering best practices for design controls, versioning, and change management.
- Use simulation, modeling, and analytical tools (FEA, CFD, multibody, chemical process simulation) as applicable.
- Develop and maintain test fixtures, measurement systems, and data acquisition setups.
- Identify and mitigate technical risks; drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions for failures.
- Manage prototypes, BOMs, supplier relationships, and component sourcing for R&D projects.
- Protect IP: document inventions, support patent filings, and maintain confidentiality.
- Mentor junior engineers and participate in design reviews and technical forums.
- Track project timelines, budgets, and technical milestones; report progress to stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Materials, Biomedical, or relevant field) or equivalent experience.
- 2+ years R&D, product development, or engineering design experience (adjustable by role level).
- Strong hands-on prototyping skills and familiarity with fabrication tools and lab equipment.
- Proficiency with CAD and design tools (SolidWorks, Creo, AutoCAD) and engineering analysis tools as relevant.
- Experience with testing methodologies, data analysis (Python, MATLAB, R), and instrumentation.
- Strong problem-solving, experimental design, and documentation skills.
- Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and collaborate across disciplines.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in relevant field for specialized roles.
- Experience in your industry domain (consumer products, medical devices, semiconductors, chemical processes, energy).
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes (injection molding, machining, PCB assembly) and DFM principles.
- Familiarity with regulatory standards (ISO 13485, FDA, IEC) where applicable.
- Experience with project management tools and product lifecycle processes (PLM, Agile).
- Patent filings or contributions to publications and conferences.
Pay: $53.12 – $65.14 per hour
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
Work Location: In person
