R&D Project Manager

Summary
The R&D Project Manager leads new product development and continuous improvement projects for our car wash equipment portfolio, guiding them from concept through production launch. Acting as the hub between mechanical, electrical/controls, software, and chemistry teams, this role keeps complex, cross-functional projects aligned on scope, schedule, and budget. You'll define requirements, manage prototyping and testing, coordinate stage-gate reviews, and partner with manufacturing and supply chain to bring producible, reliable products to market.

It's a hands-on role suited to someone who's equally comfortable building a project plan and troubleshooting equipment on the shop floor or at a wash site.

• Lead the full lifecycle of R&D and new product development projects, from requirements definition and concept through prototyping, testing, validation, and production handoff.
• Build and maintain project plans, schedules, budgets, and risk registers; track milestones and proactively resolve blockers.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams spanning mechanical design, electrical/controls engineering, embedded and application software, industrial design, and chemistry/water treatment.
• Partner with manufacturing and supply chain to ensure designs are producible, sourceable, and cost-effective (DFM/DFA, BOM readiness, supplier lead times).
• Facilitate stage-gate reviews and design reviews, and keep leadership informed with clear status reporting.
• Manage prototype builds and field/pilot testing at customer or in-house wash sites, including data collection and iteration.
• Own change management and documentation throughout development, ensuring designs meet safety, regulatory, and reliability requirements (e.g., UL/CE, electrical, and water/chemical handling standards).
• Coordinate with Product Management and Sales on requirements, launch timing, and go-to-market readiness.
• Drive continuous improvement of the R&D process itself—templates, tools, and lessons learned.
• Other duties as assigned

Arvada, CO

$92,650 - $109,000

The R&D Project Manager leads new product development and continuous improvement projects for our car wash equipment portfolio, guiding them from concept through production launch. Acting as the hub between mechanical, electrical/controls, software, and chemistry teams, this role keeps complex, cross-functional projects aligned on scope, schedule, and budget. You'll define requirements, manage prototyping and testing, coordinate stage-gate reviews, and partner with manufacturing and supply chain to bring producible, reliable products to market.

It's a hands-on role suited to someone who's equally comfortable building a project plan and troubleshooting equipment on the shop floor or at a wash site.

• Lead the full lifecycle of R&D and new product development projects, from requirements definition and concept through prototyping, testing, validation, and production handoff.
• Build and maintain project plans, schedules, budgets, and risk registers; track milestones and proactively resolve blockers.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams spanning mechanical design, electrical/controls engineering, embedded and application software, industrial design, and chemistry/water treatment.
• Partner with manufacturing and supply chain to ensure designs are producible, sourceable, and cost-effective (DFM/DFA, BOM readiness, supplier lead times).
• Facilitate stage-gate reviews and design reviews, and keep leadership informed with clear status reporting.
• Manage prototype builds and field/pilot testing at customer or in-house wash sites, including data collection and iteration.
• Own change management and documentation throughout development, ensuring designs meet safety, regulatory, and reliability requirements (e.g., UL/CE, electrical, and water/chemical handling standards).
• Coordinate with Product Management and Sales on requirements, launch timing, and go-to-market readiness.
• Drive continuous improvement of the R&D process itself—templates, tools, and lessons learned.
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering…