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Head Of Research Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bioclinica

Head of R&D, AI Integrations

As we continue to scale, we are seeking a Head of Research & Development to lead the evolution of our global technology organization. This role serves as a key technical and organizational leader ...

Sashco Inc

Head of Chemistry R&D

Thornton, CO · On-site

$180 - $240/hr

As the Head of R&D and a Leadership Team member, we need your energy, creativity, and wisdom. Generate successful pathways to team growth and raise the bar on innovation and product performance.

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$65.5K

$162.7K

$215K

How much do head of research development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for head of research 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 does a head of research development do?

A Head of Research Development leads the planning, coordination, and execution of research initiatives within an organization. They are responsible for identifying new research opportunities, securing funding, managing research teams, and ensuring that projects align with the organization's strategic goals. This role often involves collaborating with external partners, overseeing compliance with regulations, and translating research findings into actionable strategies. A Head of Research Development plays a key role in fostering innovation and maintaining the organization's competitive edge.

What are some common challenges faced by a head of research development when leading cross-functional teams?

A Head of Research Development often encounters challenges in aligning diverse teams—such as scientists, engineers, and business strategists—toward shared project goals. Differences in communication styles, priorities, and technical backgrounds can lead to misunderstandings or delays. Successful leaders in this role foster a collaborative environment by setting clear objectives, encouraging open dialogue, and ensuring that each team member understands how their work contributes to the broader organizational vision. Emphasizing transparency and regular check-ins helps keep projects on track and team morale high.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a head of research development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Head of Research Development, you need advanced expertise in research methodologies, project management, and a relevant graduate degree, often a Ph.D. or equivalent. Familiarity with data analysis software, research databases, intellectual property systems, and compliance frameworks is typically required. Outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for driving innovation, ensuring research quality, and aligning projects with organizational goals.

What is the difference between Head Of Research Development vs Research Scientist?

AspectHead Of Research DevelopmentResearch Scientist
Primary FocusOversees research strategies, manages teams, and directs development projectsConducts experiments, analyzes data, and contributes to research findings
Required CredentialsTypically advanced degrees (PhD), leadership experience, project management skillsUsually a PhD or Master's degree in a relevant field
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in R&D departments, strategic planningLaboratory settings, hands-on research activities
Industry UsageCommon in biotech, pharma, tech companies for guiding research teamsFound across research labs, academic institutions, industry research roles

The main difference is that the Head Of Research Development leads and manages research initiatives and teams, focusing on strategy and development, while the Research Scientist conducts experiments and generates research data. Both roles require advanced degrees, but the leadership and strategic responsibilities distinguish the Head Of Research Development from the Research Scientist.

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Head Of Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Head Of Research Development job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Internship, 80% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $162,707 per year, or $78.2 per hour.

Director of Research & Development

EBSCO Information Services

Birmingham, AL

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Moultrie (www.moultrie.com) is the leader in game feeders and cellular camera innovation, building products used by hunters, property owners, and others for real-time remote monitoring. We take pride in developing deep user understanding, obsessing about the details, and going the extra mile to show our users we love them. Moultrie is customer-driven - hardware, software, marketing, and customer success teams collaborate to deliver a quality user experience.

We are guided by the following principles: Customer Obsession.; Excellence is the Standard.; Bias for Action.; Act Boldly.; Deliver Results.; Hire and Develop the Best.; Be Curious and Learn.; Win as a Team

Job Summary

We're looking for a Director of R&D to lead the integration of Mechanical, Electrical, and Firmware development into a shippable product. This role builds and runs the process that keeps all three disciplines moving in sync, from concept through EVT/DVT/PVT to mass production. You'll be responsible for delivering documentation and phase-gate exit presentations, with the help of program management.

You'll work closely with the Director of Validation to make sure test plans deliver real coverage on functionality, performance, and stability, and you'll plan resourcing and deliverables so programs get built efficiently. You'll define the standards, checkpoints, and review cadences that Mechanical, Electrical, and Firmware all work within, and you'll be the one who spots where theprocess is breaking down between disciplines before it turns into a missed milestone or a production problem.

You'll also own the process side of our JDM/ODM manufacturing relationships: how design intent gets handed off, tracked, and verified through every development phase.

Job Responsibilities

ENGINEERING PROCESS OWNERSHIP

Define and maintain the review process for hardware programs (concept, prototyping, EVT/DVT/PVT, production ramp), working with the program manager on milestones.

Set documentation standards and keep PLM records and engineering change processes current and consistent across Mechanical, Electrical, and Firmware.

Build in checkpoints (design reviews, tolerance analysis, risk assessments, validation planning) so issues surface early, not at production.

Maintain full traceability from design intent to shipped product.

CROSS-DISCIPLINE COORDINATION

Spot where Mechanical, Electrical, and Firmware processes are out of sync and fix the process, not just the individual issue.

Facilitate the tradeoff conversations between disciplines (hardware vs. firmware, cost vs. performance) so decisions get made and documented, without inserting yourself as the sole technical authority.

Establish shared engineering standards and design guidelines that all three teams work from.

VALIDATION & TEST COVERAGE

Partner with the Director of Validation to ensure test plans cover functionality, performance, and stability on every program.

Feed validation findings back into the review process and make sure they get documented.

JDM/ODM PROCESS MANAGEMENT

Own the process for how design intent, tooling strategy, and production readiness get communicated to and verified with our JDM/ODM manufacturing partners.

Build in the audit steps that check offshore partners' firmware and electrical designs are ready for high-volume production.

Director, R&D 

Support factory builds by making sure the right process and documentation travel with the program.

PROGRAM & RISK PROCESS

Plan resourcing and deliverables across concurrent programs so products get developed and produced efficiently.

Run the process for tracking milestones, risk mitigation, and escalation paths.

Own root cause analysis and corrective action process when issues surface in validation or production.

Report program health and process gaps to leadership.

Job Requirements

10+ years in hardware product development for complex, connected electronics, with real depth in engineering process and documentation/PLM systems.

Experience building or running engineering processes that span Mechanical, Electrical, and Firmware disciplines.

Working knowledge of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and scaling from prototype to high-volume production.

Experience with JDM/ODM manufacturing partners, specifically the handoff and verification process, not just the relationship.

Enough technical fluency across Mechanical Design, Electrical/PCBA layout, and embedded firmware architecture to understand where cross-discipline tradeoffs happen and design a process that catches them early.

Experience with PLM systems and engineering change processes.

Strong background in engineering documentation and drawing standards.

Experience developing outdoor consumer or industrial electronic products.

Willingness to travel to offshore manufacturing sites (Asia) for tool trials, line audits, and production ramp-up support.

Essential Job Function

Formal project management experience or certification.

Experience supporting international manufacturing builds.

Knowledge of environmental and reliability testing standards for outdoor products.

Familiarity with FMEA, GD&T, and tolerance stack analysis.

We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. We strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, sex, pregnancy status, age, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.

We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable state or local law.

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