Director of R&D
Critical Fit Recruiting, Boston, MA, United States
R&D Development Manager - Specialty Chemicals - Boston Area
RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead and develop a global R&D organization supporting EMS, providing technical direction, prioritization, and execution oversight.
Drive consistent R&D operating processes across the organization, including project management, documentation, and governance.
Ensure R&D efforts align with business priorities, customer requirements, and regulatory standards.
Develop and maintain technology roadmaps that connect current capabilities with future market and customer needs.
Guide R&D project selection and prioritization to support new product development, application expansion, and system‑level solutions.
Support new product introduction (NPI) processes in partnership with Manufacturing and Operations
Partner with Marketing and Sales to translate customer needs and market insights into differentiated technical solutions.
Collaborate with Manufacturing to ensure solutions are scalable, cost‑effective, and production‑ready.
Support customer engagement activities by providing technical expertise and solution development leadership.
Manage and develop R&D leaders and technical staff, fostering accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
Build technical depth and bench strength across the organization to support future growth.
Improve R&D efficiency, time‑to‑market, and project outcomes through structured processes and performance tracking.
Contribute to integration and standardization efforts related to business growth and acquisitions.
BACKGROUND PROFILE
Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline (advanced degree preferred).
Minimum of 10 years of experience in electronic materials, including PCB assembly, protective materials, potting, encapsulations, thermal management, or closely related technologies.
Demonstrated experience leading R&D or technical teams within a manufacturing or industrial environment, with accountability for execution and outcomes.
Proven experience developing new or enhanced products and application-level solutions from concept through commercialization, using structured product development processes (e.g., stage-gate).
Demonstrated ability to improve R&D effectiveness, execution discipline, and predictability through systems, processes, and prioritization.
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience partnering across R&D, Marketing, Operations, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams.
Commercially aware technical leader able to balance technical depth with business and customer priorities and translate technical concepts into business-relevant terms.
Results-oriented, hands-on leadership style with a track record of building, developing, and retaining high-performing technical teams in fast-paced or change-oriented environments.
Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (up to approximately 50%).
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Lead and develop a global R&D organization supporting EMS, providing technical direction, prioritization, and execution oversight.
Drive consistent R&D operating processes across the organization, including project management, documentation, and governance.
Ensure R&D efforts align with business priorities, customer requirements, and regulatory standards.
Develop and maintain technology roadmaps that connect current capabilities with future market and customer needs.
Guide R&D project selection and prioritization to support new product development, application expansion, and system‑level solutions.
Support new product introduction (NPI) processes in partnership with Manufacturing and Operations
Partner with Marketing and Sales to translate customer needs and market insights into differentiated technical solutions.
Collaborate with Manufacturing to ensure solutions are scalable, cost‑effective, and production‑ready.
Support customer engagement activities by providing technical expertise and solution development leadership.
Manage and develop R&D leaders and technical staff, fostering accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
Build technical depth and bench strength across the organization to support future growth.
Improve R&D efficiency, time‑to‑market, and project outcomes through structured processes and performance tracking.
Contribute to integration and standardization efforts related to business growth and acquisitions.
BACKGROUND PROFILE
Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline (advanced degree preferred).
Minimum of 10 years of experience in electronic materials, including PCB assembly, protective materials, potting, encapsulations, thermal management, or closely related technologies.
Demonstrated experience leading R&D or technical teams within a manufacturing or industrial environment, with accountability for execution and outcomes.
Proven experience developing new or enhanced products and application-level solutions from concept through commercialization, using structured product development processes (e.g., stage-gate).
Demonstrated ability to improve R&D effectiveness, execution discipline, and predictability through systems, processes, and prioritization.
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience partnering across R&D, Marketing, Operations, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams.
Commercially aware technical leader able to balance technical depth with business and customer priorities and translate technical concepts into business-relevant terms.
Results-oriented, hands-on leadership style with a track record of building, developing, and retaining high-performing technical teams in fast-paced or change-oriented environments.
Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (up to approximately 50%).
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