R&D Project Manager

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We are seeking a highly organized and results-driven R&D Project Manager to lead customer development projects and new product testing within Körber’s automation portfolio. This role is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing R&D initiatives that bring innovative material handling solutions from concept to validation in customer environments. The R&D PM will work cross-functionally with engineering, product management, and customer teams to ensure projects are delivered on time, meet performance targets, and provide critical feedback for product commercialization.

• Manage end-to-end execution of R&D projects, from early concept validation through customer pilots and field testing.
• Define project plans, schedules, and deliverables in alignment with R&D objectives and customer requirements.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams (mechanical, electrical, controls, software, and product management) to execute testing and development activities.
• Serve as the primary project interface with customers, managing expectations, communication, and reporting during development projects.
• Oversee new product and feature testing in lab and field environments, ensuring proper documentation, performance tracking, and issue resolution.
• Track risks, dependencies, and mitigation actions across technical and operational work streams.
• Manage third-party and offshore partners supporting R&D efforts, ensuring quality and timeliness of deliverables.
• Consolidate test results and customer feedback into actionable insights for engineering and product teams.
• Support stage-gate or equivalent innovation processes by preparing project updates, financial tracking, and go/no-go recommendations.
• Champion lessons learned and continuous improvement practices to accelerate product development cycles.

• Strong project management skills with a focus on R&D, product development, or early-stage technology projects.
• Ability to manage testing activities, analyze results, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Effective communicator with ability to interface directly with customers and cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational and scheduling abilities; adept at managing multiple priorities in parallel.
• Technical fluency across mechanical, electrical, controls, and software disciplines in automation or capital equipment.
• Problem-solving mindset with ability to navigate uncertainty and adapt plans as projects evolve.
• Comfortable facilitating collaboration across engineering, product management, and operations functions.
• Proficiency with project management tools (MS Project, , Jira, etc.).
• Experience working in collaborative environments with diverse stakeholders.
• Effective communicator with ability to influence across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and troubleshooting skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, or related technical field; advanced degree preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in project management within R&D, product development, or industrial automation.
• Demonstrated success managing customer-facing development projects and/or prototype testing.
• Experience with warehouse automation, material handling equipment, or capital equipment industries strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with structured R&D processes (stage-gate, V-model, agile development, or similar).
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25-50% for customer development projects, field testing, and vendor collaboration.
• You will enjoy a flexible work environment that supports your work-life balance; we offer paid time off for parental leave and 22+ days off for personal time and holidays
• You will have access to medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with FSA…