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Director Of Research And Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... development, hospitality, and brokerage and asset services. Our award-winning, collaborative ... benefits of both collaboration and independence. POSITION SUMMARY: The Research Director will be ...

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Director Of Research And Development information

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$65.5K

$162.7K

$215K

How much do director of research and development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of research and development in the United States is $162,707.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,000.00 and $194,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of Research and Development, and how can they be addressed?

A Director of Research and Development often encounters challenges such as balancing long-term innovation projects with short-term business needs, managing cross-functional teams with diverse expertise, and ensuring projects stay within budget and timeline constraints. Addressing these challenges involves strong project management skills, clear communication, and the ability to prioritize initiatives based on organizational goals. Building a collaborative culture and maintaining transparency with stakeholders are also key strategies for overcoming these hurdles and driving successful R&D outcomes.

What is the difference between Director Of Research And Development vs Research Scientist?

AspectDirector Of Research And DevelopmentResearch Scientist
CredentialsAdvanced degrees (Master's or PhD), leadership experienceTypically a PhD or Master's in relevant field
Work EnvironmentOversees teams, strategic planning, managementConducts experiments, data analysis, lab work
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in corporate R&D departments across industriesCommon in research labs, academia, industry

The main difference is that the Director Of Research And Development focuses on leading research initiatives, managing teams, and strategic planning, while the Research Scientist primarily conducts experiments and analyzes data. The director role involves higher-level oversight and decision-making, whereas the research scientist is more hands-on with technical work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Research and Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Research and Development, you need advanced expertise in scientific research, project management, and innovation strategy, often supported by a master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with R&D management software, data analysis tools, and intellectual property systems is typically required, along with certifications like PMP or Six Sigma. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication skills set exceptional candidates apart by enabling them to inspire teams and align projects with business goals. These abilities are crucial for driving successful product development, fostering innovation, and maintaining a competitive edge in the marketplace.

What does a Director of Research and Development do?

A Director of Research and Development (R&D) leads and oversees the development of new products, technologies, or processes within an organization. They manage teams of scientists, engineers, or researchers to innovate and bring ideas from concept to market. This role involves setting strategic goals, allocating budgets, ensuring compliance with regulations, and collaborating with other departments to align research initiatives with business objectives. Their work is crucial for fostering innovation, staying competitive, and driving growth in many industries.
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What cities are hiring for Director Of Research And Development jobs? Cities with the most Director Of Research And Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Of Research And Development jobs? The most popular types of Of Research And Development jobs are:
What states have the most Director Of Research And Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Of Research And Development jobs include:

Director of Research & Development

Voltage Energy

Timberlake, NC โ€ข On-site

Other

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Job description

About the Role

The Director of Research & Development leads the development and execution of the companyโ€™s product innovation and research initiatives, supporting growth through new product development, continuous improvement, and technology advancement. This role oversees R&D programs from concept through commercialization and partners cross-functionally to ensure innovation aligns with business strategy, customer needs, manufacturability, and quality standards.


In a renewable energy and advanced manufacturing environment, the Director of R&D will lead engineering innovation efforts related to product performance, testing and validation, cost optimization, and next-generation solutions while building scalable R&D processes and team capability.


What Youโ€™ll Do


R&D Strategy & Product Innovation

  • Lead execution of the companyโ€™s R&D strategy and product development roadmap.
  • Identify emerging technologies, market trends, and product enhancement opportunities.
  • Drive innovation initiatives focused on product performance, differentiation, and scalability.
  • Support development of intellectual property, technical know-how, and innovation protection.
  • Evaluate and prioritize R&D initiatives based on strategic value, feasibility, and return.


Product Development & Engineering Leadership

  • Lead product research, prototyping, testing, validation, and commercialization efforts.
  • Oversee new product introduction (NPI) and stage-gate development processes.
  • Direct engineering teams in development of new products and enhancements to existing solutions.
  • Ensure products meet performance, regulatory, reliability, and customer requirements.
  • Partner with manufacturing and operations to support smooth transition from development into production.


R&D Operations Management

  • Manage day-to-day operation of the R&D function, including project prioritization, budgets, resources, and timelines.
  • Establish and monitor R&D KPIs, project milestones, and development metrics.
  • Improve development efficiency, speed-to-market, and project execution discipline.
  • Support value engineering and cost reduction initiatives through innovation.


Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, and Product teams to support product strategy and development.
  • Provide technical support for customer-driven product solutions and market expansion efforts.
  • Collaborate with commercial and engineering teams on customer requirements and solution development.
  • Support manufacturing readiness and design-for-manufacturability initiatives.


Team Leadership & Development

  • Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing R&D and engineering teams.
  • Build organizational capability, succession depth, and technical bench strength.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Support performance management and professional development within the function.


Compliance & Quality

  • Ensure development activities align with applicable standards, testing requirements, and regulatory compliance.
  • Support risk management, product reliability, and quality improvement initiatives.
  • Maintain documentation and technical controls to support product integrity and audit readiness.


What Weโ€™re Looking For

  • Bachelorโ€™s degree in Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Product Development, or related technical discipline required.
  • Masterโ€™s degree preferred.
  • 10+ years progressive engineering or product development experience.
  • 5+ years leadership experience managing R&D, engineering, or product development teams.
  • Experience leading new product development from concept through commercialization.
  • Experience in manufacturing, renewable energy, electrical products, or industrial technology preferred.
  • Experience supporting cross-functional product innovation in a growth-oriented environment.


Skills Required:

  • Product development lifecycle and stage-gate methodology
  • Testing, validation, and product reliability principles
  • Strong project and portfolio management skills
  • Budget and resource planning experience
  • Innovation mindset balanced with execution discipline
  • Strong communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills
  • Experience with ERP/PLM systems; SAP experience preferred


Competencies:

Leadership Competencies

  • Strategic Thinking โ€“ Ability to align innovation initiatives with long-term business strategy.
  • Visionary Leadership โ€“ Drives forward-thinking solutions and fosters a culture of innovation.
  • Execution & Accountability โ€“ Translates strategy into measurable outcomes while holding teams accountable.
  • Change Leadership โ€“ Leads teams effectively through growth, transformation, and evolving business needs.
  • Talent Development โ€“ Builds, mentors, and develops high-performing technical teams.


Functional Competencies

  • Research & Product Innovation โ€“ Demonstrated expertise leading innovation and new product development.
  • Technical & Engineering Acumen โ€“ Strong understanding of engineering principles, testing, validation, and product design.
  • Stage-Gate / Product Lifecycle Management โ€“ Experience managing products from concept through commercialization.
  • Project & Portfolio Management โ€“ Ability to prioritize resources and manage multiple development programs.
  • Quality & Regulatory Compliance โ€“ Knowledge of standards, quality systems, and risk mitigation.


Business Competencies

  • Financial Acumen โ€“ Experience managing budgets, evaluating ROI, and supporting business cases for investment.
  • Operational Partnership โ€“ Ability to collaborate with manufacturing and operations for scalable product deployment.
  • Customer Focus โ€“ Understands market needs and translates customer requirements into innovative solutions.
  • Continuous Improvement Mindset โ€“ Drives efficiency, optimization, and value engineering initiatives.


Behavioral Competencies

  • Problem Solving & Innovation
  • Decision Making
  • Collaboration & Influence
  • Results Orientation
  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Communication & Executive Presence


Preferred Qualifications

  • Deep technical expertise paired with strong business acumen
  • Proven success scaling innovation in a growth-oriented organization
  • Ability to balance strategy, execution, and operational discipline
  • Collaborative leadership style with strong cross-functional influence
  • Passion for innovation in advanced manufacturing and renewable energy sectors


Physical Requirements/Work Environment:

  • Work is primarily performed in an office environment.
  • Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-growing, dynamic environment.
  • Traveling to customer sites and events (traveling up to 25%).


Additional Information

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. The Company will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of any employment visa, including without limitation, H-1B, O-1, E-3, TN status, or I-485 job portability or similar immigration processes.


Equal Employment Opportunity:

Voltage is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.