R&D Director
Exciting leadership opportunity at a growing defense company
Description
•\tMentor and guide junior engineers and technical staff.
•\tDirect the design and development of defense safety products, guiding projects from ideation through to manufacturing launch.
•\tLead material selection, structural optimization, and integration of modular accessories.
•\tEnsure all products meet or exceed relevant performance and safety benchmarks, including but not limited to NIJ, MIL-STD, STANAG, and VPAM standards.
•\tCoordinate internal and third-party testing; oversee root cause analysis and iterative design improvements.
•\tMaintain and manage 3D models, engineering drawings, BOMs, and validation protocols using CAD and PLM tools.
•\tEnsure all technical documentation complies with defense industry regulations, including ITAR and DFMEA protocols.
•\tOversee prototype fabrication and support transition to full-scale production, including tooling and process qualification.
•\tCollaborate with procurement and manufacturing teams to enhance production efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
•\tContribute to technical proposals and compliance documentation for government contracts and international tenders.
•\tWork cross-functionally with project management, QA, and operations to ensure timely delivery and traceability of deliverables.
•\tLead investigations into product failures and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
•\tSupport configuration management and engineering change control processes.
•\tAct as the technical liaison for clients, suppliers, testing agencies, and internal stakeholders.
Skills
Engineering, New product development, Composite, solidworks, ANSYS, Abaqus, AS9100, MIL-STD, STANAG
Additional Skills & Qualifications
•\tBachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline.
•\t5–8 years of experience in defense, personal protective equipment, or high-performance composite product development.
•\tExpertise in advanced materials such as aramids, UHMWPE, and carbon fiber composites.
•\tProficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks).
•\tFamiliarity with simulation tools like ANSYS or Abaqus.
•\tStrong technical writing and communication skills, with experience in customer and vendor engagement.
•\tProven leadership in project execution and team coordination.
•\tKnowledge of ISO 9001 / AS9100 quality frameworks is advantageous.
•\tU.S. citizenship or eligibility for security clearance (for U.S.-based roles).
Preferred Qualifications
•\tFamiliarity with testing protocols such as MIL-STD-662F, STANAG 2920, and EN 397/12492.
•\tUnderstanding of defense acquisition and technical data package development.
•\tExperience working with military or law enforcement personnel.
•\tAwareness of ergonomic and human factors considerations in PPE design.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $140000.00 - $150000.00/yr.
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- PTO
- Paid Shutdown
- Paid Holidays
- 401k
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Salem,NH.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 1, 2025.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.