Director Research Development Jobs in Worcester, MA

Geocomp, Inc. is a uniquely integrated company providing services and products to help clients identify and manage risk associated with infrastructure design, construction, and operation. With over 40 years of experience, Geocomp is well-positioned to help clients on a wide range of projects, providing geostructural consulting, monitoring, and laboratory testing services worldwide. Geocomp also manufactures, sells, and offers expert technical support for our fully automated laboratory testing systems to commercial, research, and academic labs, globally.

Job Details

We are looking for a Geotechnical Research, Development & Production Engineer to join our high-performing team at Geocomp!

We are seeking a technology-minded, research-driven engineer with a passion for geotechnical lab testing and innovation. Ideal candidates are proactive, collaborative, and motivated to drive meaningful contributions in the geotechnical field.

The successful candidate will help translate theoretical research into practical tools that emphasize accuracy, automation, and repeatability-improving how engineers assess complex soil behaviors.

You will work on advanced geotechnical projects such as:

• Unsaturated soil testing systems
• Temperature control systems
• P-wave and S-wave velocity measurement systems
• Resonant column and torsional shear systems
• Cyclic triaxial, cyclic shear, and bidirectional loading systems

You will also manage customer relationships, support product delivery timelines, and lead development from prototype to production-ready equipment.

This is an exciting opportunity to apply your geotechnical expertise in a dynamic environment focused on innovation, precision, and quality.

About the Team

In this role, you will be a key contributor to our Production, Research, and Development (R&D) division, collaborating with engineers, clients, and industry partners to enhance existing products and develop next-generation testing systems.

Qualifications:

Required

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering with significant research in advanced soil mechanics and laboratory testing
• Strong hands-on experience with equipment such as:

• Cyclic triaxial
• Direct/simple shear
• Resonant column and torsional shear
• Bender element systems

• Solid understanding of geotechnical laboratory standards (ASTM, BS, ISO)
• Ability to manage projects and collaborate with academic and industry partners
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to present complex technical topics clearly
• Passion for geotechnical testing and a desire to deepen understanding of soil behavior

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Geotechnical Engineering with a focus on Unsaturated Soil Mechanics
• Experience developing and validating geotechnical testing prototypes
• Research background with peer-reviewed publications in soil dynamics or unsaturated soils
• Prior involvement in large-scale geotechnical R&D projects related to cyclic loading or earthquake engineering
• Experience transitioning R&D prototypes into manufacturable, quality-controlled products
• Familiarity with calibration, quality control, and system integration for precision equipment manufacturing

Benefits Package:

• Base salary range: $110,000-$120,000 per year
  (Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity. The range listed reflects the base salary only and does not include bonus, benefits, or other forms of compensation.)
• 401(k) with company match
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Health savings account (HSA)
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Professional development assistance
• Employee referral program

Our Hiring Process

At Geocomp, we are committed to delivering a respectful, inclusive, and transparent recruitment experience.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to provide individual feedback to every applicant. Only candidates whose qualifications closely match the role criteria will be contacted for an interview. We do, however, aim to share personalized feedback with those who progress to the first round of interviews and beyond.

We are also dedicated to ensuring that our hiring process accessible to all. If you require any reasonable adjustments to fully participate in the application or interview stages, please don't hesitate to contact your recruiter directly.

We see things differently. Diversity fuels our innovation, we value the unique ways in which we differ, and we are committed to equal employment opportunities for all professionals.