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Research And Development Project Manager Jobs in Draper, UT

As a Project Manager, you will oversee all aspects of land development projects--from grading and drainage to utilities and roadway design--while ensuring quality, compliance, and client satisfaction.

Land Development Project Manager (PE)

Lehi, UT · On-site

$93K - $121K/yr

Civil Science is hiring a Land Development Project Manager to support our growing land development team. This role combines design, project management, and client leadership, giving you the ...

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Research And Development Project Manager information

See Draper, UT salary details

$68.2K

$103.5K

$156.1K

How much do research and development project manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for research and development project manager in Draper, UT is $103,496.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,600.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Research And Development Project Manager vs Product Development Manager?

AspectResearch And Development Project Manager

The Research And Development Project Manager focuses on overseeing R&D projects, managing innovation, and coordinating scientific or technical teams. They typically require technical credentials, such as engineering or science degrees, and work in labs or R&D departments. The Product Development Manager, on the other hand, concentrates on bringing products from concept to market, often requiring product management experience and market knowledge. Both roles are common in tech, manufacturing, and biotech industries, but their primary focus and skill sets differ. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

How does a Research and Development Project Manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

A Research and Development Project Manager works closely with cross-functional teams, including scientists, engineers, marketing, and manufacturing departments, to ensure project milestones are met efficiently. They facilitate regular meetings to align goals, communicate progress, and address any challenges that arise. By coordinating between different functional areas, the R&D Project Manager helps to integrate technical advancements with business objectives, ensuring smooth product development cycles and timely project delivery.

What does a Research and Development Project Manager do?

A Research and Development (R&D) Project Manager oversees the planning, execution, and completion of projects aimed at developing new products or improving existing ones. They coordinate teams of researchers, engineers, and other specialists, manage budgets and timelines, and ensure that project goals align with company objectives. Additionally, they facilitate communication between stakeholders, monitor progress, and address any challenges that arise during the development process.

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

To thrive as a Research and Development Project Manager, you need a strong background in project management, technical expertise in relevant scientific or engineering fields, and often a degree in science, engineering, or a related discipline. Familiarity with project management software (like MS Project or Jira), knowledge of regulatory standards, and certifications such as PMP or PRINCE2 are commonly required. Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and cross-functional communication skills help drive innovation and align multidisciplinary teams. These capabilities are crucial for delivering projects on time, within budget, and in compliance with industry standards while fostering a culture of innovation.
What job categories do people searching Research And Development Project Manager jobs in Draper, UT look for? The top searched job categories for Research And Development Project Manager jobs in Draper, UT are:

Research & Development Manager

Thrive Foods

American Fork, UT

Other

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Research and Development Manager

Department: Quality 

Reports to: Vice President of Quality

Location: American Fork, Utah

Position Summary

The Research & Development (R&D) Manager is responsible for leading innovation, product development, process optimization, and technical commercialization for Thrive Freeze Dry’s portfolio of human and pet food products. This role partners closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, and Customers to deliver safe, high-quality, and scalable freeze-dried ingredients and finished goods. The R&D Manager ensures that all new products, reformulations, and process improvements align with Thrive’s strategic goals, meet customer expectations, and comply with regulatory and certification standards across our North American manufacturing network.

Product Innovation & Development
Lead the design, development, and testing of new freeze-dried ingredients, meals, snacks, and formulations for human and pet applications.Translate customer needs, market trends, and internal strategy into actionable R&D roadmaps and prototypes.Manage bench-top trials, pilot tests, and plant-scale validations to ensure product performance, stability, and manufacturability.Maintain responsibility for ingredient functionality, sensory attributes, nutritional profiles, and shelf-life performance.Other duties as assigned
Commercialization & Process Optimization
Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Quality to define processing parameters for new and existing products.Lead commercialization efforts from concept through first production, ensuring a smooth transition to full-scale manufacturing.Identify opportunities to improve yield, reduce waste, enhance throughput, and optimize cost without compromising product quality.Support continuous improvement initiatives across the freeze-drying process, blending, packaging, and handling systems.
Regulatory, Compliance & Documentation
Ensure all R&D activities align with FSMA, HACCP, FDA, USDA, Organic, Non-GMO, Kosher, SMETA, and customer-specific requirements.Collaborate with the Quality team to verify that product specifications, formulations, processing instructions, and change controls are accurate and compliant.Create and maintain R&D documentation, including formulas, spec sheets, SOPs, work instructions, and experimental summaries.Support customer audits, technical reviews, and documentation requests related to new or existing products.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Project Management
Manage R&D teams across Thrive Freeze Dry’s North American network.Manage multiple concurrent R&D projects across categories, customers, and manufacturing sites.Facilitate communication between Production, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, and Sales to ensure alignment and efficient execution.Provide technical leadership to plant teams during scale-ups, troubleshooting, and process validations.Represent R&D during customer visits, technical presentations, and collaborative development sessions.
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Nutrition, or related field.5+ years of experience in the food industry, including pet food and/or functional ingredients; experience in both areas and within a freeze-drying environment preferred.Minimum of 5 years’ experience leading, managing, and developing a team. Strong technical understanding of freeze-drying process parameters, product formulation, ingredient interactions, and analytical testing methods.Experience managing technical projects from ideation to commercialization.Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and apply them to product design and documentation.Excellent communication, cross-functional collaboration, and organizational skills.Ability to travel between manufacturing sites and customer locations as needed, including international, up to 25%.

Physical Requirements – Must be able to perform the following functions with or without accommodations:

Consistent and reliable attendancePhysical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching; and frequent fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires the following percentages of time committed to physical activity: 40% or more sitting, 40% or more walking, and 40% or more standing. The job is performed under occasional temperature variations and in a food manufacturing office environment. Unrestricted visual and audio abilities are required for the safety of all employees. The ability to lift to 40 lbs. is required.

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