Research and Development Engineering Manager

The R&D Manager will lead and drive research, development, and innovation initiatives that advance the company’s position as the leader in Aerospace Assembly Solutions. This role is responsible for translating strategic vision into executable technology roadmaps, delivering differentiated products and processes, and creating sustainable competitive advantage through innovation, intellectual property generation, and technical excellence.

The R&D Manager will provide hands-on technical leadership while building, motivating, and developing a high-performing R&D team. Key focus areas include next-generation adhesives, thermoplastics, laser-based surface preparation, advanced surface analysis, and unique mechanical fastener solutions, including custom panel fasteners.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Innovation

• Develop and execute the R&D strategy and roadmap aligned with corporate objectives and the long-term vision of Aerospace Assembly leadership.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize emerging materials, processes, and fastening technologies that improve assembly performance, reliability, weight, sustainability, and cost.
• Lead and facilitate the company’s Innovation Forum, fostering a structured, cross-functional pipeline of new ideas from concept through commercialization.
• Benchmark competitive technologies, industry trends, and customer needs to ensure R&D efforts remain forward-looking and market relevant.

Technology & Product Development

• Lead development programs across:
  • Advanced adhesives and bonding systems
  • Thermoplastic materials and joining solutions
  • Laser surface preparation and treatment processes
  • Surface characterization and analysis techniques
  • Unique mechanical fasteners and custom panel fastening systems
• Oversee experimental design, prototyping, validation testing, and qualification efforts in compliance with aerospace standards and customer requirements.
• Collaborate with Sustaining Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Sales to ensure design-for-manufacturability, scalability, and successful product launch.

Intellectual Property & Knowledge Management

• Drive a culture of patent creation, disclosure, and protection across the R&D organization.
• Identify patentable innovations, manage invention disclosures, and work closely with legal counsel on patent filings, prosecution, and strategy.
• Ensure freedom-to-operate awareness and support competitive IP analysis.
• Build and maintain robust technical documentation, knowledge repositories, and design histories.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and motivate a multidisciplinary R&D team of engineers, scientists, and technicians.
• Establish clear goals, priorities, and performance expectations aligned with business objectives.
• Develop talent through coaching, succession planning, and technical skill advancement.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, creativity, and continuous improvement.

Metrics, Reporting & Governance

• Define, generate, and present key R&D metrics, including:
• Innovation pipeline health
• Time-to-market
• R&D spend efficiency
• Patent/IP output
• Technology readiness levels (TRLs)
• Communicate program status, risks, and results to senior leadership using clear, data-driven insights.
• Manage R&D budgets, resources, and external partnerships (universities, suppliers, labs).

Customer & External Engagement

• Engage with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and industry partners to understand evolving aerospace assembly challenges.
• Support key customer technical reviews, demonstrations, and collaborative development programs.
• Represent the company in technical forums, industry working groups, and innovation partnerships as needed.
• Report immediately all suspicious and hazardous conditions to a supervisor.
• Understand and observe all safety guidelines and assure quality and safety by complying with all appropriate Click Bond policies and procedures.
• Assist in maintaining clean, orderly and hazard-free work areas.
• Able to work with minimal supervision, be a self-starter and be detail oriented.  
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

• Set R&D direction: translate business strategy into clear technology roadmaps and priorities.
• Bring strong technical depth in materials and joining (adhesives, thermoplastics, surface prep/analysis, and mechanical fasteners).
• Drive innovation that is grounded in customer needs, market trends, and competitive benchmarking.
• Lead programs with disciplined experimentation, prototyping, validation/qualification, and documentation.
• Partner cross-functionally (Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Sustaining Engineering, Sales) to deliver smooth launches.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing R&D team with clear goals and accountability.
• Create and protect IP; drive invention disclosures and maintain strong technical documentation and design history.
• Use data to manage execution; define R&D metrics, manage resources, and communicate status, risks, and results.
• Ability to write and read English.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related technical field (Master’s or PhD preferred).
• 8–12+ years of progressive experience in aerospace or advanced manufacturing R&D.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams and complex development programs.
• Demonstrated success in patent generation and IP management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead, coach, and develop a multi-disciplinary R&D team with clear goals and accountability.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must beO met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The work is primarily sedentary, although there may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items, such as paper or books, weighing less than 10 pounds.

     THE CLICK BOND WAY – KEY ATTRIBUTES:

• Communicates respectfully to all team members, vendors, and visitors.
• Models a positive attitude.
• Actively listens to others and supports the team environment.
• Asks questions and learns from mistakes.
• Executes tasks with minimal errors in a timely and efficient manner.
• Attendance is consistent and meets or exceeds company standards.

Click Bond is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information or any other protected classification. Click Bond complies with federal and state disability laws. Click Bond will provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact People Operations at 775.885.8000 or email: [email protected]