R&D Project Manager

Job Title: R&D Project Manager

Location: Simpsonville, SC

Reports to: R&D Engineering Manager

Employment Type: Full Time

Industry: Manufacturing | Mechanical Power Transmission Components | Engineering Services

Job Function: Engineering | Project Management

Job Summary: Act as an advanced project workstream leader for the team to drive large projects primarily for enhancements and new product development. Lead the discussions concerning improved decision-making skills and advanced planning skills for team members including designing, testing, evaluating, supply, quality, manufacturing and releasing components for projects that require advanced project management skills. Maintains awareness of state-of-art technology as well as Dodge products and technologies and identifies and understands technical drivers for R&D projects in own area. Leads large projects with a goal of executing all identified tasks within an optimized timeline while achieving the project charter goals. Provides consulting services to business teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Excellence

• Act as a Project Manager for the team and maintain responsibility to drive improved decision-making skills and improved educational development for all team members.  
• Act as the leader for projects that require sound technical skills combined with advanced project management skills.  
• Innovate and implement industry-leading technologies to improve the delivery of project support for our business needs.
• Demonstrates sound fundamental technical proficiency in own competence area.  
• Emphasis on critical thinking, root cause analysis, and problem solving. 

Innovation & Creativity

• Support the peer team in creating new and innovative solutions that exceed the performance of current technologies.
• Demonstrates an entrepreneurial innovative spirit to projects with own unique and creative ideas.
• Proposes follow-up projects and activities within own technical area based on new ideas. 

Projects, Processes & Tools

• Demonstrates sound understanding of, and actively applies, applicable Engineering processes and tools within area of responsibility.  
• Examples include sound communication capabilities, sound understanding of relevant applications, and awareness of industry standards that would apply to the area of expertise. 

Knowledge Transfer

• Actively develops own technical/scientific knowledge for relevant processes and tools to ensure timely and high-quality results.
• Shows solid documentation skills and writes technical reports independently. 

Strategic Vision & Leadership

• Proactively seeks to identify opportunities for improved project flow and execution efficiencies within the project scope.   
• Initiate business review of these ideas with business team members. 

Required Qualifications:

•   Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field.
•   10+ years Project Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, or related technical experience.
•   Proficiency in MS Office and project management related software.  
•   Strong analytical skills with an emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving.  
•   Extreme attention to detail with a strong sense of ownership and responsibility.  
•   Ability to adapt and multi-task based on departmental needs and collaborates well with others and is a good team player.  
•   Advanced understanding of muti-disciplined project management skills.  
•   Entrepreneurial spirit with passion for new and changing ideas.  
•   Lean Green Belt and PMP Certification preferred. 

Physical Demands:

•   Extended periods of sitting and/or standing at a workstation.  
•   Ability to type, reach, and grasp. 
•   5-10% travel for training or attending 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 small groups.  

Essential Job Functions:

•   Provide project management support to business teams via phone calls, emails, in-person meetings, and chat.  
•   Provide project management expertise with large projects by supporting and recommending creative solutions to execution challenges.  
•   Work directly with business team members to ensure accuracy of information and deliverables.  
•   Occasional travel for training and business team meetings is required.  
•   Collaborate with other business functions, including manufacturing, supply chain, product management, R&D, and quality.  
•   Create and maintain workstreams and project flash reports on a routine basis. 
•   Attendance at work is an essential function of the job. 
•   Lead major projects and teach less skilled colleagues to improve overall project execution performance. 

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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.