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…