Engineering​/R&D Manager

Manager Engineering/Research & Development

Job Category
:
Engineering/R&D

Requisition Number
: MANAG
001900

• Posted :
  November 5, 2025
• Full-Time
• On-site

Showing 1 location

Old Town, ME 04468, USA

Join our team! Do you have experience in championing the design and development of new and assigned products in a very busy, challenging environment? Come join us and inspire more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors!

At Johnson Outdoors we believe creating value goes beyond creating great products. We’re passionate innovators who put people first, focused on helping to create the ultimate experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. And we’re known for delivering on that promise. Our iconic brands include Old Town® canoes and kayaks and Jetboil® right here in Maine.

• Collaborates with senior leadership on the development of the overall R&D strategy for assigned products and/or locations while ensuring that the strategy directly aligns and supports the organization’s mission, vision and values. Ensures new product development and changes to existing products align with the organization’s brand initiatives.
• Partners with marketing teams to ensure developed strategies are based on solid market and consumer trends to stay ahead of ever changing consumer demands.
• Directs the research and development of new, innovative, significant and complex product designs based on market/consumer research to ensure results exceed market projections, generate a competitive advantage against competition and profitability grow the business. Ensures developments meet design, quality and budgetary requirements.
• Oversees the development of updates and improvements to existing products based on the market and consumer demands.
• Establishes a culture of continuous improvement and best practice sharing that results in the most effective use of resources, cost-reduction and quality improvement.
• Identifies R&D financial risks and opportunities, including contingency planning, spending controls, cost targets, and investment to fill any identified gaps between projected performance and targets.
• Establishes effective partnerships and relationships to remain current and competitive with the latest technologies and best practices to drive continuous improvement efforts.
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Directs mechanical design activities including component-level part design/analysis, and integration of complex assemblies; supports electrical design as required.
• Sets design objectives and collaborates across the entire product development team (Marketing, R & D, QA, Operations, Sourcing, & CS) to integrate and commercialize technologies in new and existing products.
• Manages projects from inception to completion including major milestones and detailed assignments.
• Reviews designs for compliance with internal guidelines and external standards.
• Prepares and approves department budgets while ensuring budgets are managed within approved guidelines.
• Develops and approves departmental policies, procedures and guidelines to meet business needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Bachelors or better in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

7 years:
Typically requires a minimum of 7-10 years of research and development experience which includes successfully directing and implementing strategies that produce profitable growth and results as well as proven success as an effective manager/leader.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

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