Director of Research Development

This is a rare opportunity to lead first-of-a-kind hardware R&D programs where technical rigor, speed, and real-world deployment all matter.

Located onsite in Janesville, WI, which is about 2 hours from Chicago.

We are seeking a Director or Senior Director of R&D to lead advanced hardware research and applied development for a high-tech capital equipment portfolio in the nuclear hardware space. This role sits at the intersection of long-term innovation, near-term execution, and operational impact.

You will own the technical direction of critical hardware technologies, guide them through maturity and de-risking, and ensure they translate into scalable, manufacturable, and competitive systems. This is not a research-only role. Success is measured by technologies that make it into real products and operations.

This position works closely with Engineering, Operations, and executive leadership to balance disciplined experimentation with speed, rigor, and accountability.

• Lead multidisciplinary R&D teams focused on advanced hardware systems, subsystems, and enabling technologies
• Set technical direction and quality standards across development programs
• Advance technologies from early concept through engineering handoff and operational readiness
• Drive technology readiness and risk reduction across capital equipment platforms
• Partner with executive leadership and operational teams on strategic, high-impact initiatives
• Support design-for-manufacture, testability, qualification, and scale-up strategies
• Provide embedded technical support to operational business units as needed
• Allocate R&D resources dynamically while protecting long-term innovation capacity
• Mentor senior technical leaders and develop future R&D managers
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, intellectual honesty, and disciplined execution
• Represent R&D in executive, cross-functional, and technical forums

• Clear ownership and momentum on 1 to 2 mission-critical technology programs
• De-risked hardware platforms with a clear path to deployment
• Strong alignment between R&D, Engineering, and Operations
• High-performing technical leaders who trust your judgment and direction
• Data-driven decisions that balance ambition with realism

• BS, MS, or PhD in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 10+ years of experience in advanced hardware development or complex capital equipment
• Proven leadership of R&D or advanced engineering teams
• Demonstrated success moving technologies from concept to product or operational use

• Be part of a groundbreaking medical isotope project with real-world impact on global healthcare and energy innovation.
• Lead a critical safety function at a company where precision, collaboration, and integrity matter.
• Work with cutting-edge test equipment - from helium leak testing to seismic shake tables - ensuring components meet exacting nuclear safety requirements.
• Join a culture that values mentorship, continuous learning, and technical excellence.