RBC Bearings Incorporated
R&D Engineering Director (Bearings)
RBC Bearings Incorporated, Simpsonville, South Carolina, United States, 29680
Job Title:
R&D Engineering Director (Bearings)
Reports To:
Vice President of Engineering
Employment Type:
Full-time
Seniority Level:
Senior Level
Industry:
Manufacturing | Mechanical Power Transmission Components | Engineering Services
Job Function:
Engineering | Management | Research & Development
Job Summary:
The R&D Engineering Director - Bearings will serve as the global leader of bearing design innovation for Dodge Industrial. This individual will spearhead major R&D and design initiatives, establish and enforce design standards, and lead global collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and product development teams. The role is pivotal in maintaining Dodge’s market leadership in bearing performance, quality, and reliability.
Key Responsibilities
Lead technical decisions and drive advanced educational development for the team.
Create an innovative, collaborative environment with high technical proficiency.
Prioritize work, identify competency needs, and execute actions to fill gaps.
Demonstrate sound technical proficiency across product areas.
Apply critical thinking, root cause analysis, and problem solving.
Innovation & Creativity
Lead the team in creating new and innovative solutions that exceed current technology performance.
Demonstrate an entrepreneurial innovative spirit to R&D projects with unique creative ideas.
Require team members to follow up on projects and activities within own technical area.
Projects, Processes & Tools
Understand and apply R&D processes and tools, including communication, advanced project management, and business planning with financial aspects.
Knowledge Transfer
Teach technical knowledge to less skilled colleagues, ensuring timely, high-quality results.
Show solid documentation skills and write technical reports independently.
Strategic Vision & Leadership
Act as a strategic leader for engineers across assigned product areas.
Create a strategic vision for R&D Engineering based on customer input.
Encourage creativity in identifying opportunities to enhance products uniquely or develop innovative solutions to market problems.
Required Qualifications
Advanced degree (master’s or Ph.D.) in Tribology or Mechanical Engineering.
Expertise in rolling element bearing design, analysis, and performance testing.
Advanced knowledge of tribology, lubrication, and material behavior under load.
Proven leadership in bearing innovation and global engineering projects.
Deep understanding of bearing manufacturing processes (machining, heat treatment, assembly).
Strong proficiency in CAD, FEA, and analytical modeling of stress and fatigue.
Experience establishing and maintaining global design standards and technical governance.
Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional engineering teams and complex projects.
Preferred experience with mechanical power transmission and rotating equipment.
Familiarity with digital bearing diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and IIoT integration.
Knowledge of Six Sigma, DFMEA, and Lean methodologies.
Executive communication and strategic planning abilities.
Proven success influencing global R&D or product strategy.
Physical Demands
Extended periods of sitting and/or standing at a workstation.
Ability to type, reach, and grasp.
15-20% travel to meet with clients or attend meetings (overnight travel as needed).
Able to carry, lift, and pull up to 50 lbs.
Reach, climb, crawl, walk.
Speak and present in person or virtually to individuals and large groups.
Essential Job Functions
Manage a team of engineers prioritizing work for project execution and innovative creation.
Create a strategic vision for R&D Engineering roadmap based on customer input.
Responsible for managing cost center expenses relative to approved budgets.
Use Lean tools to create standardized test procedures and design standards.
Oversee, observe, and assist with product testing, post-test teardowns, and test reports.
Champion intellectual property strategies that include financial justification, value to RBC, and support long-term competitive growth initiatives.
Drive process improvements aligned with strategy to continuously improve team effectiveness and customer experience.
Identify competency gaps or future needs and develop necessary competencies in the team.
Act as Technical Expert for legal consultation or audits.
Occasional travel to attend technical events, strategic meetings, or planning events.
Collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, product management, Application Engineering, and quality.
Drive design enhancements lean/continuous improvement projects, including laboratory testing, design, and qualification.
Drive major R&D Engineering projects and teach less skilled colleagues to improve overall Engineering and customer performance.
Attendance at work is an essential function of the job.
Why Join Us?
Work alongside a collaborative, experienced leadership team.
Be part of an industry leader with a strong brand reputation and an innovation-driven culture.
RBC Bearings is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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R&D Engineering Director (Bearings)
Reports To:
Vice President of Engineering
Employment Type:
Full-time
Seniority Level:
Senior Level
Industry:
Manufacturing | Mechanical Power Transmission Components | Engineering Services
Job Function:
Engineering | Management | Research & Development
Job Summary:
The R&D Engineering Director - Bearings will serve as the global leader of bearing design innovation for Dodge Industrial. This individual will spearhead major R&D and design initiatives, establish and enforce design standards, and lead global collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and product development teams. The role is pivotal in maintaining Dodge’s market leadership in bearing performance, quality, and reliability.
Key Responsibilities
Lead technical decisions and drive advanced educational development for the team.
Create an innovative, collaborative environment with high technical proficiency.
Prioritize work, identify competency needs, and execute actions to fill gaps.
Demonstrate sound technical proficiency across product areas.
Apply critical thinking, root cause analysis, and problem solving.
Innovation & Creativity
Lead the team in creating new and innovative solutions that exceed current technology performance.
Demonstrate an entrepreneurial innovative spirit to R&D projects with unique creative ideas.
Require team members to follow up on projects and activities within own technical area.
Projects, Processes & Tools
Understand and apply R&D processes and tools, including communication, advanced project management, and business planning with financial aspects.
Knowledge Transfer
Teach technical knowledge to less skilled colleagues, ensuring timely, high-quality results.
Show solid documentation skills and write technical reports independently.
Strategic Vision & Leadership
Act as a strategic leader for engineers across assigned product areas.
Create a strategic vision for R&D Engineering based on customer input.
Encourage creativity in identifying opportunities to enhance products uniquely or develop innovative solutions to market problems.
Required Qualifications
Advanced degree (master’s or Ph.D.) in Tribology or Mechanical Engineering.
Expertise in rolling element bearing design, analysis, and performance testing.
Advanced knowledge of tribology, lubrication, and material behavior under load.
Proven leadership in bearing innovation and global engineering projects.
Deep understanding of bearing manufacturing processes (machining, heat treatment, assembly).
Strong proficiency in CAD, FEA, and analytical modeling of stress and fatigue.
Experience establishing and maintaining global design standards and technical governance.
Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional engineering teams and complex projects.
Preferred experience with mechanical power transmission and rotating equipment.
Familiarity with digital bearing diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and IIoT integration.
Knowledge of Six Sigma, DFMEA, and Lean methodologies.
Executive communication and strategic planning abilities.
Proven success influencing global R&D or product strategy.
Physical Demands
Extended periods of sitting and/or standing at a workstation.
Ability to type, reach, and grasp.
15-20% travel to meet with clients or attend meetings (overnight travel as needed).
Able to carry, lift, and pull up to 50 lbs.
Reach, climb, crawl, walk.
Speak and present in person or virtually to individuals and large groups.
Essential Job Functions
Manage a team of engineers prioritizing work for project execution and innovative creation.
Create a strategic vision for R&D Engineering roadmap based on customer input.
Responsible for managing cost center expenses relative to approved budgets.
Use Lean tools to create standardized test procedures and design standards.
Oversee, observe, and assist with product testing, post-test teardowns, and test reports.
Champion intellectual property strategies that include financial justification, value to RBC, and support long-term competitive growth initiatives.
Drive process improvements aligned with strategy to continuously improve team effectiveness and customer experience.
Identify competency gaps or future needs and develop necessary competencies in the team.
Act as Technical Expert for legal consultation or audits.
Occasional travel to attend technical events, strategic meetings, or planning events.
Collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, product management, Application Engineering, and quality.
Drive design enhancements lean/continuous improvement projects, including laboratory testing, design, and qualification.
Drive major R&D Engineering projects and teach less skilled colleagues to improve overall Engineering and customer performance.
Attendance at work is an essential function of the job.
Why Join Us?
Work alongside a collaborative, experienced leadership team.
Be part of an industry leader with a strong brand reputation and an innovation-driven culture.
RBC Bearings is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
#J-18808-Ljbffr