Manager, Research and Development

Manager, Research & Development

SIG SAUER, Inc. is a leading provider and manufacturer of firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, airguns, suppressors, remote controlled weapons stations, and training. For over 250 years SIG SAUER, Inc. has evolved, and thrived, by blending American ingenuity, German engineering, and Swiss precision. Today, SIG SAUER is synonymous with industry-leading quality and innovation which has made it the brand of choice amongst the U.S. Military, the global defense community, law enforcement, competitive shooters, hunters, and responsible citizens.

Additionally, SIG SAUER is the premier provider of elite firearms instruction and tactical training at the SIG SAUER Academy. Headquartered in Newington, New Hampshire, SIG SAUER has over 3,400 employees across sixteen U.S. locations in three states, and four additional global facilities. SIG SAUER is certified a Great Place to Work™.

Position Summary:

The Manager, Research & Development, is responsible for technical leadership and management of research and development projects from concept through commercialization. This role oversees the simultaneous development of multiple new products ensuring alignment with corporate strategic goals while effectively managing budgets and resources.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Managerial responsibility of 4-12 direct reports including Designers, Engineers, Research & Development Engineering Technicians, and co-ops and interns.
• Provide technical leadership and coaching to advance new product development from conception through production.
• Develop and maintain a collaborative team environment focused on excellence.
• Mentor team members in support of career development and advancement.
• Lead highly complex product development projects through all aspects of design from concept through commercialization, ensuring that product requirements and cost targets are met with robust, high-quality solutions.
• Collaborate effectively with NPI Management to determine product development milestones which support corporate launch/tender submission dates.
• Organize and track product development tasks to ensure milestones are met on time, adjusting team resource allocations as necessary.
• Monitor team performance to ensure effective utilization of resources and a high quality of work.
• Jointly establish annual goals with each team member and monitor progress toward achievement.
• Identify and coordinate training opportunities for team members.
• Complete annual performance reviews and provide input to annual merit planning activities.
• Lead the team's interface with Product Management and NPI Management.
• Coordinate team collaboration with vendors and Manufacturing Engineering to ensure a high level of DFM (design for manufacturability).
• Interface with Quality and Assembly to understand and address individual part issues, as well as ensure a high-quality final product.
• Support Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, and other departments as needed.
• Ensure products are designed with consideration for ease of manufacturing and inspection and that product costs meet plan.
• Review and approve drawings to ensure applicable standards are met and that important tolerance stacks have been documented showing acceptable results.
• Review and approve test plans, ensuring that they are logical, thorough, and evaluate all necessary product requirements.
• Create, release, and maintain a Product Technical Specification for assigned development projects.
• Review drawings, BOMs, and change orders being released in the PLM system for accuracy, thoroughness, appropriate content, and adherence to company standards.
• Review the acceptability of part non-conformances, providing feedback to suppliers and Quality.
• Review final product inspection procedures, initiating changes or additional checks to ensure quality of finished products.
• Support Customer Service with the resolution of quality issues as needed.
• Responsible for ensuring Intellectual Property is protected.
• Drive Continuous Improvement in Research & Development operations.
• Must follow all required Safety and ISO procedures.
• Follow safe firearms handling practices, and all range safety procedures when in the range area.
• Must be able to travel periodically.

Education/Experience &

Skills:

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and 10+ years of engineering experience in a Research & Development environment. 3-5 years of managerial experience leading an Research & Development engineering team is required. Strong leadership skills and exceptional interpersonal skills to oversee team performance, foster collaboration and drive operational efficiency. Experienced performing and able to guide team members in conducting complex analyses such as FEA, kinematic and dynamic motion, CFD, and/or heat transfer.

Possess a strong working knowledge of ASME Y14.5 standards including GD&T. Must be detail-oriented; able to identify drafting errors and less than optimal dimensioning and tolerancing schemes during drawing review. Must understand…