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Director Research Development Jobs in Boston, MA

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Director Research Development information

See Boston, MA salary details

$71.2K

$176.8K

$233.6K

How much do director research development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for director research development in Boston, MA is $176,765.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $146,700.00 and $210,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director research development do?

A Director of Research Development leads and manages the planning, coordination, and execution of research strategies within an organization. They are responsible for identifying funding opportunities, fostering collaborations, and overseeing proposal development to secure grants and support research initiatives. Additionally, they work with faculty or research teams to ensure compliance with regulations and alignment with institutional goals, while supporting innovation and the growth of research programs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director research development?

To thrive as a Director of Research Development, you need advanced expertise in research methodologies, project management, and grant writing, usually backed by a graduate degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with research administration software, funding databases, and compliance systems is essential, along with certifications like CRA (Certified Research Administrator) being advantageous. Strategic thinking, leadership, and excellent communication skills are critical for building collaborations and guiding multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are vital for securing funding, ensuring research integrity, and driving innovative projects to successful completion.

How does a director research development typically collaborate with other departments to drive innovation within an organization?

A Director of Research Development often works closely with cross-functional teams such as product management, engineering, marketing, and executive leadership to align research initiatives with organizational goals. This role involves facilitating communication between departments, ensuring that research projects support strategic objectives, and integrating insights from various stakeholders. Effective collaboration helps drive innovation, as the Director ensures that research outcomes are actionable and directly contribute to product or service enhancements. Regular meetings, joint project planning sessions, and clear reporting structures are common practices to maintain alignment and foster a culture of innovation.

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

AspectDirector Research DevelopmentResearch Scientist
CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD preferred), leadership experienceTypically a PhD or Master's degree in a relevant field
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, team management, cross-department collaborationLaboratory or field research, data analysis, experimentation
Employer & IndustryResearch institutions, biotech, pharma, corporate R&DUniversities, research labs, industry R&D
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in research developmentDetails about research-focused roles and career paths

The main difference between a Director Research Development and a Research Scientist lies in their responsibilities and focus. The Director oversees strategic planning, manages teams, and collaborates across departments, while the Research Scientist conducts experiments, analyzes data, and advances scientific knowledge. Both roles require advanced degrees, but the Director typically has more leadership experience and works in a broader strategic context.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Development jobs in Boston, MA?

The most popular types of Research Development jobs in Boston, MA are:

What are popular job titles related to Director Research Development jobs in Boston, MA?

For Director Research Development jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

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

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

Director Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Research Development job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $176,765 per year, or $85 per hour.

Manager, Research & Development

Johnson Controls

Burlington, MA • On-site

$140K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Johnson Controls rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 412 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

137th of 544 rated manufacturers

Job description

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls,a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as datacenters, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education.

For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where itreally matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry-leading field organization, weelevatecustomer performance,turn goals into real-world results andhelpmove society forward.

Visitjohnsoncontrols.comfor more information and follow @Johnsoncontrols on socialplatforms.

What you'll do

Thermal constraints limit AI infrastructure, semiconductor equipment, power electronics, and defense systems. JCI removes those constraints. Enabled by the Stack Forging process, JCI produces high-performance thermal components and cooling loop solutions - purpose-built for direct integration into AI, HPC, and mission-critical systems. JCI has built the industry's leading thermal management platform for the applications that demand it most.

As the Manager of the Stack Forging Thermal Solutions Research & Development team at Johnson Controls, you will be responsible for leading the team that developsnew & innovativethermal management solutions. You will collaborate across the organization tocontribute to a long-term thermal strategy grounded in commercial needs, the competitivelandscape, and other internal technology roadmaps. You will scope, justify, and execute projects both as an individual contributor and as a team leader.

This position is based onsite at our facility in Burlington, MA. Candidates must be commuting distance to the facility, or able to relocate. Various relocation packages are available. This position also requires US citizenship and/or permanent resident.

How you will do it

  • Define research projects and report on them to leadership; take responsibility for leading a team to generate new, valuable ideas aligned withstrategic priorities. Work with leadership to blend first-principles analysis, experimental results, simulation, andtechno-economic analysis to create a clear and compelling vision for the outcome of your team's work.

  • Develop new thermal-fluid technologies: Run structured R&D efforts both as an individual contributor and team leader. Manage technical risk to ensure that impactful technologies can quickly be spun out of your team's research efforts.

  • Lead and Mentor: Hire, lead, and manage a lean and focused R&D team. Act as a source of technical excellence, acting as a subject matter expert and mentor on a range of technical topics.

  • Manage projects:Oversee theadvanced technology development life cycle, from initial justification and scoping through technology transfer. Ensure that everyone on the team is working on the best idea, not just their favorite idea.

What you will need
Required

  • Minimum Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.

  • 8+ years of industry experience

  • 3+ years of leadership experiencewith the ability to lead technical teams

  • Expertise in thermal management and liquid cooling, preferably with experience in data centers or high-performance computing

  • US Citizen and/or Permanent Resident. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred

  • Ability to align technical development with strategic business priorities.

  • A background in customer-facing roles, such as a Solutions Engineer, Technical Fellow, or Applications Engineer.

  • Experience in manufacturing and emerging technology settings.

  • Expertise in design for manufacturability (DFM) principles, especially related to metal components or thermal systems.

  • Familiarity with thermal simulation software (e.g., CFD) and analytical modeling.

Export Control Requirement:This position may require access to information, technology, technical data, software, or other items subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations. Any offer of employment for this position may be contingent upon the candidate's ability to obtain and maintain any required export authorization or eligibility to access controlled items.

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $140,000 - $200,000 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience,knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with marketdata.) This role offers a competitive Bonus plan that will take into account individual, group,and corporate performance. This position includes a competitive benefits package. Theposted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognizethat exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typicalprofile. If you believe your background warrants consideration beyond the stated range, weencourage you to apply. To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may usetechnology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluatecandidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers. For details, pleasevisit the About Us tab on the Johnson Controls Careers site athttps://jobs.johnsoncontrols.com/about-us

Johnson Controls International plc. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law. To view more information about your equal opportunity and non-discrimination rights as a candidate, visit EEO is the Law. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please visit here.

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About Johnson Controls

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Johnson Controls is a world leader in smart buildings, creating safe, healthy and sustainable spaces. For nearly 140 years, we’ve made buildings better and now we’re transforming them again with our award-winning digital technologies and services. We’re using artificial intelligence and data driven solutions to give you deeper insight into your building’s health, sustainability and performance. It’s changing the way we design, operate and maintain indoor environments and driving to a new era of autonomous buildings. We deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, hotels, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive suite of connected solutions. Johnson Controls offers the world’s largest portfolio of building technology, software and services. Supported by a team of more than 100,000 dedicated employees working across 150 countries, we’re helping customers achieve their sustainability goals and power their mission.

Industry

Machinery manufacturing, water transportation, public safety statistics centers and offices and manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Milwaukee, WI, US

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