Role Overview for Director of R&D with a Specialty Materials Company – Pittsburgh, PA
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a pioneering specialty materials company in their search for a visionary Director of Research & Development. Located in the vibrant technological hub of Pittsburgh, PA, our client is a market leader renowned for developing innovative, high-performance materials that solve complex challenges across diverse industries, including aerospace, electronics, automotive, and healthcare. This is a pivotal executive leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of the company’s innovation pipeline and solidify its position at the forefront of the industry.
As the Director of R&D, you will be the strategic mind and inspirational leader behind the company’s technological advancements. You will be entrusted with leading a world-class team of scientists, engineers, and technicians, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and scientific rigor. Your primary mission will be to translate market insights and technological possibilities into a robust portfolio of next-generation products and process improvements. This role is not just about managing projects; it’s about setting the long-term vision for research, identifying disruptive technologies, and championing a spirit of relentless curiosity that drives breakthrough discoveries. You will be responsible for the entire R&D lifecycle, from fundamental research and conceptualization through to product development, scale-up, and successful commercialization. Your leadership will directly impact the company’s growth, profitability, and long-term competitive advantage.
Key Responsibilities of Director of R&D with a Specialty Materials Company – Pittsburgh, PA
Strategic R&D Leadership
Develop, articulate, and execute a comprehensive R&D strategy that is deeply aligned with the company’s overall business objectives and growth targets. Proactively identify and evaluate emerging technological trends, competitive threats, and market opportunities to inform the long-range research roadmap.
Team Management and Development
Lead, mentor, and empower a multidisciplinary team of R&D professionals. Foster a dynamic and inclusive team environment that encourages innovation, risk-taking, and continuous learning. Oversee talent acquisition, performance management, and professional development to build and retain a high-performing organization.
Innovation Pipeline Management
Direct the entire product development process using a structured, phase-gate methodology. Oversee the R&D project portfolio, ensuring projects are properly resourced, on schedule, and within budget. Champion both incremental and disruptive innovation to maintain a balanced pipeline of short-term and long-term opportunities.
Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy
In collaboration with legal counsel, develop and manage the company’s intellectual property portfolio. Drive a proactive approach to patent filing, trade secret protection, and freedom-to-operate analyses to secure a strong competitive position.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Serve as a key partner to the executive leadership team. Work seamlessly with Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Quality departments to ensure the successful launch and lifecycle management of new products. Provide expert technical support for existing products and customer challenges.
External Technology & Partnerships
Cultivate a network of external relationships with universities, national laboratories, industry consortia, and technology suppliers. Identify and pursue opportunities for open innovation, technology licensing, and strategic partnerships to accelerate R&D outcomes.
Technical Excellence and Thought Leadership
Act as the company’s foremost technical authority in core material science domains. Stay current with the latest advancements in materials science and engineering, analytical techniques, and manufacturing technologies. Represent the company at industry conferences and technical forums.
Budget and Resource Management
Develop and manage the annual R&D budget, ensuring optimal allocation of capital and human resources to high-priority initiatives. Implement metrics and KPIs to track R&D performance, efficiency, and return on investment.
Safety and Compliance
Uphold the highest standards of laboratory safety. Ensure all R&D activities are conducted in full compliance with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations and company policies.
Requirements for the Director of R&D with a Specialty Materials Company – Pittsburgh, PA
Educational Background
A Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science, or a closely related discipline is strongly preferred. A Master’s degree with an extensive and highly relevant track record of innovation and leadership will be considered.
Professional Experience
A minimum of 12-15 years of progressive experience within an industrial research and development setting. At least 7 years of this experience must be in a significant leadership capacity, managing R&D teams, projects, and budgets.
Industry Expertise
Demonstrated experience in the specialty materials industry is essential. Expertise in areas such as advanced polymers, composites, adhesives, coatings, specialty chemicals, or ceramics is highly desirable. Proven experience in taking multiple products from concept to successful commercialization is required.
Leadership Acumen
An exceptional leader with a proven ability to build, inspire, and develop high-performing technical teams. Must possess strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Experience managing managers and leading a multi-layered R&D organization is a plus.
Technical Proficiency
Deep theoretical and practical knowledge of material characterization techniques, structure-property relationships, and formulation science. Familiarity with design of experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, and modern R&D project management tools.
Business Savvy
Strong business and financial acumen with experience managing multi-million dollar budgets. A clear understanding of how to link R&D initiatives to tangible business outcomes and market needs. Experience with IP management and technology licensing is critical.
Communication Skills
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills. The ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively to a wide range of audiences, from Ph.D. scientists to the Board of Directors and key customers.
Collaborative Spirit
A natural collaborator who thrives in a team-oriented, cross-functional environment. Must be adept at building consensus and influencing stakeholders across the organization.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top talent by offering a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package. This includes:
Competitive Compensation
A highly attractive base salary, supplemented by a significant annual performance-based bonus and a long-term incentive plan (e.g., stock options, equity).
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
A full suite of benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents. The package also includes a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and corporate wellness initiatives.
Retirement Planning
A generous 401(k) plan with a strong company matching contribution to help you secure your financial future.
Work-Life Integration
A generous paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick days, and paid company holidays to support a healthy work-life balance.
Professional Growth
A dedicated budget for continuous learning, including support for attending industry conferences, pursuing certifications, and other professional development opportunities.
Relocation Support
A comprehensive relocation package is available for qualified candidates and their families to ensure a smooth transition to the Pittsburgh area.
How to Apply
This is a confidential search being conducted exclusively by JRG Partners. If you are a visionary R&D leader with a passion for materials science and a track record of driving innovation, we encourage you to apply. This is a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact on a dynamic and growing organization.
To be considered for this exceptional opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter. For more information about our expertise in this sector, please visit our Industrial & Manufacturing Practice Area page. We look forward to reviewing your application.
