The Role
Leads material innovation and product development for luxury furniture collections, translating historical design references into scalable manufacturing specifications. Oversees weathering and structural testing, reviews samples, troubleshoots material defects, audits production quality, coordinates creative and manufacturing teams, and tracks development milestones, budgets, cycle times, and first-pass quality. Requires deep knowledge of 18th- and 19th-century design, materials, finishes, and luxury manufacturing.
Summary Generated by Built In
RH is seeking a dedicated and innovation-focused Senior Research & Development (R&D) Specialist to drive material innovation while serving as the ultimate guardian of our historical aesthetic. Based primarily out of our Formations Manufacturing facility in Torrance, CA, this position reports directly to the Formations General Manager and Chief Operating Officer (COO), while offering a rare opportunity to work directly with legendary interior designers and Formations Co-Founders, Richard Hallberg and Dan Cuevas.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Live and model Our Vision, Values and Beliefs every day.
- Partner directly with Formations Co-Founders to execute their creative vision, translating centuries-old design precedents into scalable luxury collections
- Research 18th and 19th century museum pieces to develop comprehensive material specification sheets for new collections
- Oversee weathering tests for outdoor stone and iron components to validate structural performance across modern climate conditions
- Review and approve physical samples of hardware, mirror glass and wood carvings, providing precise feedback on period-correct proportions, textures and patinas
- Collaborate daily with the Finishing Shop Foreman to confirm raw materials align with proprietary paints, waxes and patinas
- Troubleshoot technical defects, including wood warping and natural stone variation, to uphold luxury quality standards
- Audit active production lines to preserve traditional textures, joinery and hand-applied character
- Coordinate between the Torrance production floor and creative meetings in West Hollywood, keeping design and manufacturing aligned
- Keep the Formations General Manager and Chief Operating Officer informed on project timelines, resource needs, manufacturing feasibility and budget parameters
- Track product development cycle time, milestone completion and first-pass quality yield to drive continuous improvement across R&D initiatives
- Lead material testing compliance for newly developed outdoor composites, ensuring full execution of structural and weathering protocols
WHAT YOU BRING
- 7+ years of experience in product development, R&D or engineering within luxury furniture, antiques or architectural industries
- Deep, authoritative knowledge of 18th and 19th century design movements, including Georgian, Regency and Louis XVI, and their period-specific materials
- Exceptional visual acuity, with the skill to distinguish instantly between a modern machine finish and a hand-applied 19th century finish
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science, Furniture Design, Wood Science and Technology, Architecture, Art History or a related technical field is preferred
- Strong interpersonal skills with natural ease interfacing with executive designers, operational leaders, master artisans and shop foremen
- Sophisticated project management skills with precision in budget tracking, timeline adherence and quality control
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Based primarily onsite at the Formations manufacturing facility in Torrance, California, with periodic travel to West Hollywood
- Extended periods on the production floor, including close visual inspection of materials, samples and finished components
- Frequent movement throughout the manufacturing facility to audit production lines and partner with shop leadership
At RH, we are committed to promoting pay equity. Rate of pay is determined based on each individual's experience, qualifications, and the geographic location of the role.
Skills Required
- 7+ years of experience in product development, R&D, or engineering within luxury furniture, antiques, or architectural industries
- Authoritative knowledge of 18th- and 19th-century design movements, including Georgian, Regency, and Louis XVI, and their period-specific materials
- Exceptional visual acuity to distinguish modern machine finishes from hand-applied historical finishes
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science, Furniture Design, Wood Science and Technology, Architecture, Art History, or a related technical field
- Strong interpersonal skills interfacing with executive designers, operational leaders, master artisans, and shop foremen
- Project management skills, including budget tracking, timeline adherence, and quality control
RH Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about RH and has not been reviewed or approved by RH.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Official materials highlight an Employee Assistance Program, Headspace access, Care.com, Peloton app perks, and meaningful product and restaurant discounts. Feedback suggests these lifestyle benefits add tangible day-to-day value alongside the core package.
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Flexible Benefits — RH lists HSA/FSA options, pre-tax commuter benefits, earned wage access, and financial planning resources, offering choice and financial flexibility. Feedback suggests this breadth helps some team members tailor benefits to individual needs.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO is included and publicly highlighted, and feedback suggests many view the policy as solid even if usage can depend on scheduling and role. This provides structured time away within a standard retail/hospitality package.
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The Company
What We Do
RH is a luxury lifestyle brand specializing in high-end home furnishings and interior design. The company operates a global network of galleries, outlets, and restaurants, offering an integrated experience that combines luxury home decor with high-end hospitality and interior design services.
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