Role Overview for Director of R&D, IoT Solutions with an Industrial Manufacturer – Pittsburgh, PA
JRG Partners is proud to represent a distinguished leader in the industrial manufacturing sector, a company renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and forward-thinking solutions. We are seeking a visionary and transformative Director of R&D, IoT Solutions to be based in their strategic hub in Pittsburgh, PA. This is a pivotal executive leadership role, designed for an individual who can architect the future of industrial connectivity and smart manufacturing. You will be at the helm of the Research and Development division, tasked with conceptualizing, developing, and launching a new generation of Internet of Things (IoT) products and platforms that will redefine industry standards and drive significant business growth.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a profound technical background in IoT, combined with exceptional leadership capabilities and a passion for innovation. You will be responsible for building and mentoring a world-class R&D team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and relentless execution. This role requires a leader who can seamlessly bridge the gap between high-level business objectives and granular technical details, ensuring that our client’s IoT roadmap is not only ambitious but also commercially viable and technologically sound. You will be instrumental in shaping the company’s digital transformation journey, leveraging data and connectivity to create intelligent products that deliver unprecedented value to customers in terms of efficiency, safety, and predictive maintenance. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on a global scale, driving the evolution of an established industrial powerhouse into a digital-first enterprise.
Key Responsibilities of Director of R&D, IoT Solutions with an Industrial Manufacturer – Pittsburgh, PA
Strategic Vision and Roadmap Development
Define and articulate a comprehensive R&D strategy and multi-year technology roadmap for all IoT solutions. Conduct in-depth market analysis, competitive intelligence, and technology trend assessments to identify new opportunities and ensure the product portfolio remains at the cutting edge of the industry.
Leadership and Team Management
Lead, mentor, and expand a multidisciplinary team of engineers, data scientists, software developers, and researchers. Foster an agile, innovative, and high-performance culture that encourages experimentation, continuous learning, and accountability. Manage resource allocation, project planning, and performance evaluations to ensure departmental goals are met.
End-to-End Product Development Lifecycle
Oversee the entire R&D lifecycle for IoT products, from initial ideation, proof-of-concept, and prototyping to development, testing, validation, and preparation for commercial launch. Implement and refine best practices for agile development, quality assurance, and project management to optimize for speed and quality.
Technology and Architectural Oversight
Serve as the chief technical authority on IoT architecture, including hardware (sensors, gateways), connectivity protocols (e.g., LoRaWAN, 5G, Wi-Fi 6), cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), and data analytics/AI/ML frameworks. Ensure that all solutions are designed for scalability, reliability, and robust security.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Stakeholder Management
Work closely with executive leadership, Product Management, Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams to ensure the R&D roadmap is aligned with overall business strategy and customer needs. Effectively communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders to build consensus and drive decision-making.
Innovation and Intellectual Property
Champion a culture of innovation by staying abreast of emerging technologies and academic research. Drive the creation of valuable intellectual property through patents and trade secrets, protecting the company’s competitive advantage.
Budget and Financial Management
Develop and manage the annual R&D budget, ensuring optimal allocation of financial resources to strategic priorities. Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs), project milestones, and departmental return on investment (ROI).
Vendor and Partner Management
Identify and manage relationships with external technology partners, research institutions, and component suppliers to accelerate innovation and supplement internal capabilities.
Requirements for the Director of R&D, IoT Solutions with an Industrial Manufacturer – Pittsburgh, PA
Educational Background
A Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field is required.
Professional Experience
A minimum of 12-15 years of progressive experience in research and development, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership capacity managing technical teams. Direct experience in the industrial manufacturing, automation, or a related B2B technology sector is highly preferred.
IoT Expertise
Demonstrated, deep expertise in designing and delivering complex, end-to-end IoT solutions. This includes hands-on experience with sensor technology, embedded systems, wireless communication standards, cloud computing infrastructure, and big data analytics.
Technical Acumen
Proficiency in modern software development methodologies (Agile, Scrum), programming languages (e.g., Python, C++, Java), and data science concepts. A strong understanding of cybersecurity principles is critical, particularly those related to securing connected devices and data, such as familiarity with ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 41 standards for IoT.
Leadership Skills
Proven ability to recruit, build, and lead high-performing, geographically diverse engineering teams. Must possess exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Business Acumen
Strong understanding of business principles, including product lifecycle management, market analysis, financial modeling, and intellectual property strategy. Ability to translate complex technical innovations into clear business value propositions.
Communication Skills
Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills. Capable of effectively communicating with a wide range of audiences, from C-suite executives and board members to individual engineers and external partners.
Location
Ability to work on-site at the Pittsburgh, PA location, with flexibility for a hybrid schedule and willingness to travel as needed (up to 20%).
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to investing in their employees and offers a highly competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional and personal well-being. This includes:
Competitive Compensation
An attractive base salary, significant performance-based annual bonus, and long-term equity incentives (stock options/RSUs).
Comprehensive Health and Wellness
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents. Access to wellness programs, mental health resources, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Retirement Planning
A robust 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match to help you plan for your future.
Work-Life Balance
A generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick days, and company-paid holidays to ensure you have time to recharge.
Professional Growth
A dedicated budget for continuous learning, professional development, certifications, and attendance at key industry conferences.
Relocation Support
A comprehensive relocation package is available for qualified candidates moving to the Pittsburgh area.
Innovative Work Environment
The opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art facility with cutting-edge technology and a collaborative, forward-thinking team.
How to Apply
This is a retained search conducted by JRG Partners. If you are a visionary technology leader with the experience and passion to drive the next wave of industrial innovation, we encourage you to apply. To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and your vision for the future of Industrial IoT. For more information about our expertise in this sector, please visit our Industrial Technology Recruiting practice area. We look forward to reviewing your application and discussing how you can make a significant impact with our prestigious client.
