R&D Product Innovation Leader
Listed on 2026-05-29
-
Engineering
Product Engineer, Materials Engineer, Research Scientist, Mechanical Engineer
R&D Product Development Leader - Deckorators
Deckorators, a brand of UFP Industries, is a leader in composite decking, railing, and outdoor living products. We are experiencing rapid growth, and our product development team plays a critical role in what comes next.
The R&D Product Development Leader is a key position responsible for bringing new product families to life and expanding applications for existing products. This is an excellent opportunity for a curious, driven self-starter who enjoys solving problems, moving ideas forward, and delivering real results.
The successful candidate may office from one of our current Deckorators locations in Selma, AL, Buffalo NY or Prairie du Chien, WI
, with travel expected up to 25-50% depending on project needs
.
Job Summary
The R&D Product Development Leader is responsible for developing new products that meet customer performance requirements and support the continued growth of the Deckorators portfolio. This role drives product development projects from concept through implementation, partnering across R&D, operations, quality, and commercial teams to turn ideas into scalable products.
This position is a strong fit for someone who enjoys working at the intersection of technology, manufacturing, and market need - someone who can ask smart questions, test ideas quickly, and help bring innovation to market in a practical, results-focused way.
What You'll Do
Research and develop new technologies that create meaningful product advantages in the market
Develop technical and product hypotheses and lead them through evaluation and progression
Build sound product proposals based on market needs, technical feasibility, and business economics
Identify and qualify technical approaches to deliver products that meet customer performance requirements
Develop prototypes and work cross-functionally to scale successful concepts into production
Lead experimentation at the appropriate level, including lab-scale, pilot, production, and field testing
Collect, interpret, and communicate technical data clearly and effectively
Troubleshoot gaps in product performance and help develop solutions for future improvements
Partner with teams across the business to ensure products meet the right specifications, cost targets, and performance goals
Maintain awareness of competitive building product offerings and identify opportunities for new product development
Support intellectual property efforts, including patent review, invention identification, and related documentation
Help manage development timelines and project progression through a stage-gate or similar process
Prepare technical reports, updates, and presentations as needed
Perform other duties as assigned
What We're Looking For
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field required; advanced degree preferred
Particularly relevant backgrounds include Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Materials Science
5-10 years of experience in R&D and/or new product development
Strong preference for experience in plastics materials, polymer processing, or related manufacturing environments
Proven ability to champion new product or technology projects from concept to implementation
Experience with product testing methods and technical problem-solving
Knowledge of building products, construction applications, or adjacent product categories is a plus
Experience with intellectual property processes, including patent evaluation or invention documentation, is preferred
Familiarity with stage-gate or other structured new product development processes
Strong technical foundation with the ability to apply engineering thinking in a practical R&D environment
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook
Skills & Style That Matter Here
Naturally curious and energized by solving real problems
Comfortable managing multiple priorities and moving projects forward in a fast-paced environment
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Able to work well with all levels of the organization, from plant teams to senior leadership
Organized, detail-oriented, and process-minded without getting stuck in unnecessary…
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