Research & Development Engineering Manager

• Job
• Job Category: A&D/Semi
• Position Type:
  Direct
• Duration: full time
• Shift: 1
• Location:
  
  Carson City,NV
• Posted: 8/25/2026

Research & Development Engineering Manager 4-Day Work Week | Fridays + Weekends Off Build the Future of Aerospace
- Without Giving Up Your Life Outside of Work What if you could lead cutting-edge aerospace innovation, work a 4-day work week, and have every Friday and weekend off? How about doing it in Northern Nevada, where there is no individual state income tax, Lake Tahoe and world-class skiing are roughly 30 minutes away, and the Pacific Coast is just a few hours' drive?

Would you like to join a family-owned aerospace manufacturer with an 80% employee retention rate, 100% paid employee medical coverage, and a history of never laying off an employee? This organization has built its reputation solving some of the toughest assembly challenges in the aerospace and defense industries. Its innovative fastening and assembly technologies are used in demanding commercial aerospace, military, defense, and space applications where reliability, weight, performance, and precision matter.

Now they're looking for an R&D Engineering Manager to help lead the next generation of aerospace assembly technology. If you're ready to combine technical innovation, leadership, stability, and an incredible quality of life, Apply Now!

• Competitive Base Salary: $123,300 - $185,000
• 4-Day Work Week with Fridays + Weekends Off
• 100% Employer-Paid Medical Coverage for the Employee
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off & Holidays
• Tuition Assistance & Professional Development
• Approximately 80% Employee Retention
• Family-Owned, Family-Oriented Culture
• No Individual State Income Tax in Nevada
• Exceptional Stability
  - No Company Layoffs, Even During COVID
• Career Growth with an Established Aerospace & Defense Manufacturer
• Northern Nevada Location Near Lake Tahoe, Skiing, Hiking & Outdoor Recreation

If you're the type of engineering leader who still enjoys the technical side of R&D and wants to turn new ideas into technologies that can change how aircraft and defense systems are built, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We're looking for a hands‑on Research & Development Engineering Manager to lead innovation across advanced aerospace assembly technologies. You'll develop technology roadmaps, lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, drive new products from concept through qualification, and create intellectual property that provides a sustainable competitive advantage.

Your work will span advanced adhesives, thermoplastics, laser-based surface preparation, surface analysis, and unique mechanical fastening technologies.

• Develop and execute R&D strategies and technology roadmaps aligned with long-term business objectives.
• Identify emerging materials, processes, and fastening technologies that improve aerospace assembly performance, reliability, weight, sustainability, and cost.
• Lead development of advanced adhesives and bonding systems, thermoplastics, laser surface preparation, surface characterization, and mechanical fastening solutions.
• Drive R&D programs through experimentation, prototyping, validation, qualification, and commercialization.
• Lead a structured innovation pipeline that turns new ideas into viable products and technologies.
• Benchmark competitive technologies, aerospace industry trends, and customer needs to identify future opportunities.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Sustaining Engineering, and Sales to successfully transition new technologies into production.
• Drive patent creation, invention disclosures, and intellectual property development.
• Partner with legal counsel on patent filings, prosecution, IP strategy, and freedom-to-operate considerations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and technicians.
• Establish R&D metrics around innovation pipeline, time-to-market, technology readiness, R&D efficiency, and IP generation.
• Manage R&D budgets, resources, laboratories, suppliers, universities, and external technical partnerships.
• Engage directly with aerospace OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and industry partners on emerging assembly challenges.
• Support customer technical reviews, demonstrations, and collaborative development programs.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related…