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Associate Research Director Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Associate Director, Research RTX BBN, a noted high-tech research & development company, seeks a creative, organized, people-centered candidate to fill the role of Associate Director, Research in our ...

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The Associate Research Scientist will conduct integrated experimental and theoretical research on ... and direct recycling of electrodes. The scientist will also lead a research project in ...

The successful candidate will lead through both direct team leadership and influence across ... Guide research priorities across multiple programs by integrating mechanistic biology ...

Reporting to the VP of R&D, you will lead a team of 10+ research associates, data scientists, and ... Direct all human research studies supporting our Hardware, Sensing, and AI/ML teams, from protocol ...

Reporting to the VP of R&D, you will lead a team of 10+ research associates, data scientists, and ... Direct all human research studies supporting our Hardware, Sensing, and AI/ML teams, from protocol ...

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Associate Research Director information

What is an associate research director?

An Associate Research Director is a senior-level professional who helps oversee the planning, execution, and management of research projects within an organization. They typically support the Research Director by supervising research teams, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget, and maintaining the quality and integrity of research output. Associate Research Directors also play a key role in developing research strategies, analyzing data, and communicating findings to stakeholders. Their position often serves as a bridge between research staff and upper management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate research director?

To thrive as an Associate Research Director, you need advanced expertise in research methodologies, data analysis, and project management, usually supported by a graduate degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with statistical software (such as SPSS or R), data visualization tools, and experience with research management systems are typically required. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills enable you to guide teams and present complex findings to stakeholders effectively. These competencies are essential for delivering high-quality research insights, ensuring project success, and supporting organizational goals.

What are some common challenges faced by associate research directors when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Associate Research Directors often juggle several projects at once, which requires excellent organizational and time management skills. Balancing priorities, allocating resources efficiently, and ensuring consistent communication across teams can be demanding, especially when deadlines overlap or project scopes change. Additionally, maintaining high-quality standards while mentoring junior researchers and coordinating with senior leadership adds to the complexity. To succeed, it's important to develop strong delegation skills and foster collaborative relationships within the research team.

What is the difference between Associate Research Director vs Research Manager?

AspectAssociate Research DirectorResearch Manager
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in relevant field, often with research experienceBachelor's or Master's, with focus on project management and research oversight
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, overseeing research teams, high-level decision makingManaging research projects, coordinating teams, ensuring project deliverables
Industry UsageUsed in corporate, academic, and government research settingsCommon in corporate and institutional research departments

The Associate Research Director typically holds a higher strategic role, overseeing multiple research projects and teams, while the Research Manager focuses on managing specific research projects and day-to-day operations. Both roles require strong research credentials, but the Associate Research Director is more involved in strategic planning and leadership.

What job categories do people searching Associate Research Director jobs in Boston, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Research Director jobs in Boston, MA are:

What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Associate Research Director jobs?

Cities near Boston, MA with the most Associate Research Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Research Director job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Associate Research Director

Raytheon

Cambridge, MA • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


RTX rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 72 rated aerospace companies


Job description

Associate Director, Research

RTX BBN, a noted high-tech research & development company, seeks a creative, organized, people-centered candidate to fill the role of Associate Director, Research in our Physical Sciences & Systems business unit.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Create the vision and secure funding for new concepts.
  • Lead multiple, multi-million-dollar R&D programs and teams.
  • Plan and execute field tests on land or at sea.
  • Regularly meet or exceed the metrics of challenging R&D programs.
  • Handle complex technical challenges while helping researchers focus on the technical work to be achieved, and the big picture of their efforts.
  • Travel to partner, customer and corporate sites.

Basic Qualifications:

  • An advanced degree in physical sciences or engineering (e.g., physics, electrical engineering) with 15+ years of experience as a Principal Investigator or technical lead on R&D programs.
  • 15+ years of experience related to physical sciences, sensing, and signal processing, acoustics, photonics, fiber optics, geophysics, or related discipline.
  • The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
  • Fluent in at least one commonly used programming language such as Python, Matlab, C, or C++.
  • Experience forming and leading teams of scientists and engineers through full lifecycle of technology development.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
  • PhD in physical sciences or engineering (e.g., physics, electrical engineering).
  • Successful capture of new R&D contracts from US Government customers such as DARPA, DHS, or the US Navy.
  • Previous experience working within research and development engineering organizations.

What We Offer

Whether you're just starting out on your career journey or are an experienced professional, we offer a robust total rewards package with compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement and work/life benefits; career development and recognition programs. Some of the benefits we offer include parental (including paternal) leave, flexible work schedules, achievement awards, educational assistance and child/adult backup care.

Work Location

  • Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite.
  • Relocation Eligible: Yes

The salary range for this role is 162,000 USD - 326,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, location, education/training, and key skills. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company's performance. This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply. RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.


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About RTX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing, it services, aerospace product and parts manufacturing and engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Waltham, MA, US

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