About this opportunity
Smartsearchonline lists this Research & Development Engineering Manager opportunity in carson city, Nevada. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Job Details
Job ID: 86854
Job Category: A&D/Semi
Position Type: Direct
Duration: full time
Shift: 1
Location: Carson City,NV
Posted: 8/25/2026
Research & Development Engineering Manager 4-Day Work Week | Fridays + Weekends Off Build the Future of Aerospace - Without Giving Up Your Life Outside of Work What if you could lead cutting-edge aerospace innovation, work a 4-day work week, and have every Friday and weekend off? How about doing it in Northern Nevada, where there is no individual state income tax, Lake Tahoe and world-class skiing are roughly 30 minutes away, and the Pacific Coast is just a few hours' drive? Would you like to join a family-owned aerospace manufacturer with an 80% employee retention rate, 100% paid employee medical coverage, and a history of never laying off an employee? This organization has built its reputation solving some of the toughest assembly challenges in the aerospace and defense industries. Its innovative fastening and assembly technologies are used in demanding commercial aerospace, military, defense, and space applications where reliability, weight, performance, and precision matter. Now they're looking for an R&D Engineering Manager to help lead the next generation of aerospace assembly technology. If you're ready to combine technical innovation, leadership, stability, and an incredible quality of life, Apply Now!
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive Base Salary: $123,300 - $185,000
4-Day Work Week with Fridays + Weekends Off
100% Employer-Paid Medical Coverage for the Employee
Dental & Vision Insurance
401(k) with Company Match
Paid Time Off & Holidays
Tuition Assistance & Professional Development
Approximately 80% Employee Retention
Family-Owned, Family-Oriented Culture
No Individual State Income Tax in Nevada
Exceptional Stability - No Company Layoffs, Even During COVID
Career Growth with an Established Aerospace & Defense Manufacturer
Northern Nevada Location Near Lake Tahoe, Skiing, Hiking & Outdoor Recreation
Are You Ready to Lead What's Next in Aerospace Innovation?
If you're the type of engineering leader who still enjoys the technical side of R&D and wants to turn new ideas into technologies that can change how aircraft and defense systems are built, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We're looking for a hands‑on Research & Development Engineering Manager to lead innovation across advanced aerospace assembly technologies. You'll develop technology roadmaps, lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, drive new products from concept through qualification, and create intellectual property that provides a sustainable competitive advantage. Your work will span advanced adhesives, thermoplastics, laser-based surface preparation, surface analysis, and unique mechanical fastening technologies.
What You'll Be Doing
Develop and execute R&D strategies and technology roadmaps aligned with long-term business objectives.
Identify emerging materials, processes, and fastening technologies that improve aerospace assembly performance, reliability, weight, sustainability, and cost.
Lead development of advanced adhesives and bonding systems, thermoplastics, laser surface preparation, surface characterization, and mechanical fastening solutions.
Drive R&D programs through experimentation, prototyping, validation, qualification, and commercialization.
Lead a structured innovation pipeline that turns new ideas into viable products and technologies.
Benchmark competitive technologies, aerospace industry trends, and customer needs to identify future opportunities.
Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Sustaining Engineering, and Sales to successfully transition new technologies into production.
Drive patent creation, invention disclosures, and intellectual property development.
Partner with legal counsel on patent filings, prosecution, IP strategy, and freedom-to-operate considerations.
Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and technicians.
Establish R&D metrics around innovation pipeline, time-to-market, technology readiness, R&D efficiency, and IP generation.
Manage R&D budgets, resources, laboratories, suppliers, universities, and external technical partnerships.
Engage directly with aerospace OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and industry partners on emerging assembly challenges.
Support customer technical reviews, demonstrations, and collaborative development programs.
Job Requirements
What We're Looking For
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
8-12+ years of progressive R&D experience within aerospace or advanced manufacturing.
Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering, scientific, or technical teams.
Strong technical background in materials, joining technologies, adhesives, thermoplastics, surface preparation/analysis, mechanical fasteners, or related technologies.
Experience developing and executing technology roadmaps.
Demonstrated success leading complex R&D and product-development programs.
Strong experience with experimental design, prototyping, testing, validation, and qualification.
Demonstrated experience generating patents and managing intellectual property.
Experience taking new technologies from concept toward commercialization.
Strong cross-functional experience with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Sales.
Ability to communicate complex technical information to customers, engineering teams, and senior leadership.
Strong technical documentation, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making skills.
Preferred Experience
Master's degree or PhD in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related technical field.
Aerospace or defense R&D experience.
Advanced adhesives and aerospace bonding systems.
Thermoplastic materials and joining technologies.
Laser surface preparation or laser processing.
Surface characterization and analysis.
Aerospace mechanical fasteners or fastening systems.
Composite structures and aerospace assembly.
Experience working directly with major aerospace OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
Patent generation and IP strategy.
Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).
Experience taking technology from early-stage R&D through aerospace qualification and production.
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Worksite address
carson city, NV, 89702, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.