R&D Engineering Director; Bearings

Job Title: R&D Engineering Director (Bearings)

Location: Simpsonville, SC

Reports to: Vice President of Engineering

Employment Type: Full-time

Seniority Level: Senior Level

Industry: Manufacturing | Mechanical Power Transmission Components | Engineering Services

Job Function: Engineering | Management | Research & Development

Job Summary: The R&D Engineering Director - Bearings will serve as the global leader of bearing design innovation for Dodge Industrial. This individual will spearhead major R&D and design initiatives, establish and enforce design standards, and lead global collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and product development teams. The role is pivotal in maintaining Dodge’s market leadership in bearing performance, quality, and reliability.

• Act as a leader for the team and maintain responsibility to drive improved decision‑making skills and advanced educational development for all team members.
• Create an environment of innovation, collaboration, and high technical proficiency within the team.
• Prioritize work, identify competency needs and define/execute any necessary actions to fill required competency gaps.
• Demonstrate sound fundamental technical proficiency across all product areas of responsibility.
• Emphasize critical thinking, root cause analysis, and problem solving.

• Lead the team in creating new and innovative solutions that exceed the performance of current technologies.
• Demonstrate an entrepreneurial innovative spirit to R&D projects with own unique and creative ideas.
• Require team members to follow‑up on projects and activities within own technical area.

• Demonstrate sound understanding of, and actively apply, R&D processes and tools.
• Examples include sound communication capabilities, advanced project management processes, advanced understanding of business planning including all financial aspects required to support financial funding of a project.

• Actively teach own technical/scientific knowledge to less skilled colleagues in applying processes and tools to ensure timely and high‑quality results.
• Show solid documentation skills and write technical reports independently.

• Act as a strategic leader for the team of engineers across assigned product areas.
• Create a strategic vision for R&D Engineering based on customer‑based input.
• Encourage team members to be creative with identifying opportunities to enhance our products in a unique way, or to develop innovative ways to solve market problems.

• Advanced degree (master’s or Ph.D.) in Tribology or Mechanical Engineering required.
• Expertise in rolling element bearing design, analysis, and performance testing.
• Advanced knowledge of tribology, lubrication, and material behavior under load.
• Proven leadership in bearing innovation and global engineering projects.
• Deep understanding of bearing manufacturing processes (machining, heat treatment, assembly).
• Strong proficiency in CAD, FEA, and analytical modeling of stress and fatigue.
• Experience establishing and maintaining global design standards and technical governance.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross‑functional engineering teams and complex projects.
• Experience with mechanical power transmission and rotating equipment preferred.
• Familiarity with digital bearing diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and IIoT integration.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma, DFMEA, and Lean methodologies.
• Executive communication and strategic planning abilities.
• Proven success influencing global R&D or product strategy.

• Extended periods of sitting and/or standing at a workstation.
• Ability to type, reach, and grasp.
• 15-20% travel to meet with clients or attend meetings (overnight travel as needed).
• Able to carry, lift, and pull up to 50 lbs.
• Reach, climb, crawl, walk.
• Speak and present in person or virtually to individuals and large groups.

• Manage a team of engineers by prioritizing work with a focus on project execution and innovative creation.
• Create a strategic vision for R&D Engineering roadmap based on customer‑based…