MCResearch & Development Engineering Manager
BS-level Management / Director roles on Crosslinked list a median of $162k (90 that show pay).
Lead R&D of aerospace adhesives, thermoplastics, laser surface prep and fastening tech
Worth knowing
Why it is interesting. Own the technology roadmap for adhesives, thermoplastics and laser surface prep used in commercial, defense and space assembly
Might not be for you. 8-12+ years required and heavy leadership scope — not a bench-scientist role
Adjacent materials roleLead development of advanced adhesives and bonding systems, thermoplastics, laser surface preparation, surface characterization
- Seniority
- Manager
- Work
- On-site
- Type
- Full-time
- Degree
- BS
- Experience
- 8–12 yrs
- Industry
- Aerospace
- Role
- Management / Director
- Schedule
- Compressed 4x10
Role details
Research & Development Engineering Manager
4-Day Work Week | Fridays + Weekends Off
Build the Future of Aerospace - Without Giving Up Your Life Outside of Work
What if you could *lead cutting-edge aerospace innovation*, *work a 4-day work week*, and have *every Friday and weekend off*?
How about doing it in *Northern Nevada*, where there is *no individual state income tax, Lake Tahoe* and
*world-class skiing are roughly 30 minutes away*, and the *Pacific Coast is just a few hours' drive*?
Would you like to join a *family-owned aerospace manufacturer* with an *80% employee retention rate*, *100% paid employee medical coverage*, and a *history of never laying off an employee*?
This organization has built its *reputation solving some of the toughest assembly challenges in the aerospace and defense industries*.
Its innovative fastening and assembly technologies are used in demanding commercial aerospace, military, defense, and space applications where
reliability, weight, performance, and precision matter.
Now they're looking for an *R&D Engineering Manager* to help *lead the next generation* of aerospace assembly technology.
If you're ready to combine technical innovation, leadership, stability, and an incredible quality of life,
“*Apply*” Now!
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive Base Salary: $123,300 - $185,000
- 4-Day Work Week with Fridays + Weekends Off
- 100% Employer-Paid Medical Coverage for the Employee
- Dental & Vision Insurance
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Paid Time Off & Holidays
- Tuition Assistance & Professional Development
- Approximately 80% Employee Retention
- Family-Owned, Family-Oriented Culture
- No Individual State Income Tax in Nevada
- Exceptional Stability - No Company Layoffs, Even During COVID
- Career Growth with an Established Aerospace & Defense Manufacturer
- Northern Nevada Location Near Lake Tahoe, Skiing, Hiking & Outdoor Recreation
Are You Ready to Lead What's Next in Aerospace Innovation?
If you're the type of engineering leader who still enjoys the technical side of R&D and wants to turn new ideas into technologies that can change how aircraft and defense systems are built, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We're looking for a hands-on Research & Development Engineering Manager to lead innovation across advanced aerospace assembly technologies.
You'll develop technology roadmaps, lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, drive new products from concept through qualification, and create intellectual property that provides a sustainable competitive advantage. Your work will span advanced adhesives, thermoplastics, laser-based surface preparation, surface analysis, and unique mechanical fastening technologies.
What You'll Be Doing
- Develop and execute R&D strategies and technology roadmaps aligned with long-term business objectives.
- Identify emerging materials, processes, and fastening technologies that improve aerospace assembly performance, reliability, weight, sustainability, and cost.
- Lead development of advanced adhesives and bonding systems, thermoplastics, laser surface preparation, surface characterization, and mechanical fastening solutions.
- Drive R&D programs through experimentation, prototyping, validation, qualification, and commercialization.
- Lead a structured innovation pipeline that turns new ideas into viable products and technologies.
- Benchmark competitive technologies, aerospace industry trends, and customer needs to identify future opportunities.
- Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Sustaining Engineering, and Sales to successfully transition new technologies into production.
- Drive patent creation, invention disclosures, and intellectual property development.
- Partner with legal counsel on patent filings, prosecution, IP strategy, and freedom-to-operate considerations.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and technicians.
- Establish R&D metrics around innovation pipeline, time-to-market, technology readiness, R&D efficiency, and IP generation.
- Manage R&D budgets, resources, laboratories, suppliers, universities, and external technical partnerships.
- Engage directly with aerospace OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and industry partners on emerging assembly challenges.
- Support customer technical reviews, demonstrations, and collaborative development programs.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
- 8-12+ years of progressive R&D experience within aerospace or advanced manufacturing.
- Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering, scientific, or technical teams.
- Strong technical background in materials, joining technologies, adhesives, thermoplastics, surface preparation/analysis, mechanical fasteners, or related technologies.
- Experience developing and executing technology roadmaps.
- Demonstrated success leading complex R&D and product-development programs.
- Strong experience with experimental design, prototyping, testing, validation, and qualification.
- Demonstrated experience generating patents and managing intellectual property.
- Experience taking new technologies from concept toward commercialization.
- Strong cross-functional experience with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Sales.
- Ability to communicate complex technical information to customers, engineering teams, and senior leadership.
- Strong technical documentation, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making skills.
Preferred Experience
- Master's degree or PhD in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related technical field.
- Aerospace or defense R&D experience.
- Advanced adhesives and aerospace bonding systems.
- Thermoplastic materials and joining technologies.
- Laser surface preparation or laser processing.
- Surface characterization and analysis.
- Aerospace mechanical fasteners or fastening systems.
- Composite structures and aerospace assembly.
- Experience working directly with major aerospace OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
- Patent generation and IP strategy.
- Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).
- Experience taking technology from early-stage R&D through aerospace qualification and production.
Keyword Search
Research & Development Engineering Manager * R&D Manager * R&D Engineering Manager * Research and Development Manager * Director of R&D * Engineering Manager * Aerospace Engineering Manager * Aerospace R&D * Aerospace Engineering * Aerospace Manufacturing * Defense Manufacturing * Advanced Manufacturing * Materials Science * Materials Engineering * Adhesives * Structural Adhesives * Adhesive Bonding * Aerospace Bonding * Thermoplastics * Polymer Engineering * Surface Science * Surface Preparation * Laser Surface Preparation * Laser Processing * Surface Characterization * Mechanical Fasteners * Aerospace Fasteners * Fastening Systems * Aerospace Assembly * Aircraft Structures * Composite Materials * Joining Technologies * Product Development * Technology Development * Innovation * Intellectual Property * Patent Development * Technology Roadmap * TRL * Prototyping * Validation * Qualification * Aerospace OEM * Tier 1 Aerospace * Engineering Leadership * Carson City * Reno * Nevada * Lake Tahoe
