R&D Engineer III

Job Title:

R&D Engineer III

Location:

Carson City, NV

Pay rate: $98,000 - $145,000

Zip Code: 89706

Job Type: Direct Hire

Start Date:

ASAP

Keywords: #R&DEngineerjobs; #Carson City Jobs ;

Belcan is seeking an experienced R&D Engineer III for a direct-hire opportunity with a leading designer and manufacturer of adhesive-bonded fastening and assembly solutions used across aerospace, defense, space, marine, and other high-performance industries.

This is an opportunity to do genuine front-end research and product development-not simply support an established manufacturing process. You will turn difficult technical problems into new products, material systems, joining technologies, test methods, and validated solutions. Your work may involve structural adhesives, engineered coatings, polymers, composites, thermoplastics, surface preparation, bonded fasteners, laser-based processes, and automated assembly technologies.

The ideal candidate is naturally curious, comfortable working hands-on, and able to move from an early idea through research, experimentation, prototyping, testing, analysis, iteration, and qualification. If you enjoy building something that has not existed before-and can explain how your technical decisions produced a successful result-this role offers meaningful ownership and variety.

• Lead applied research and development projects involving aerospace fasteners, adhesive bonding, coatings, advanced materials, surface preparation, joining methods, and automated assembly solutions.
• Translate customer needs and open-ended technical challenges into product requirements, hypotheses, project plans, risks, and measurable success criteria.
• Research materials, specifications, technical literature, industry standards, and emerging technologies to assess feasibility and select promising approaches.
• Design and build prototypes, material systems, test articles, proof-of-concept hardware, and new product or process concepts.
• Develop and execute test plans, including variables, controls, sample strategies, acceptance criteria, data collection, and statistical analysis.
• Analyze mechanical, material, durability, environmental, and application-test results; investigate failures and use the findings to improve the design.
• Develop product requirements, specifications, test procedures, technical reports, and other documentation that preserves engineering knowledge.
• Support validation and qualification activities for aerospace and other high-reliability applications.
• Manage multiple R&D projects while tracking priorities, milestones, technical risks, decisions, and results.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Configuration Management, suppliers, customers, and outside laboratories.
• Present findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences.

• Bachelor"s degree in engineering, materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Approximately five or more years of experience in applied R&D, research engineering, product development, materials development, or advanced technology development.
• Demonstrated ownership of at least one new product, material, coating, adhesive system, joining method, test method, or technology from early concept through testing and a validated result.
• Hands‑on experience with one or more relevant areas: adhesives, coatings, polymers, composites, thermoplastics, surface preparation or treatment, bonding, joining, fastening systems, or advanced materials.
• Experience developing test plans, analyzing data, investigating failures, and making evidence-based design or material changes.
• Ability to write clear requirements, procedures, test reports, specifications, and technical recommendations.
• Ability to manage several technical projects and work independently with limited supervision.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and technical presentation skills.
• U.S. citizenship required. No active security clearance is required.
• Ability to work fully onsite in Carson City, Nevada.

• Aerospace, defense,…