R&D Engineering Director; Bearings

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Understand and apply R&D processes and tools, including communication, advanced project management, and business planning with financial aspects.

• Teach technical knowledge to less skilled colleagues, ensuring timely, high-quality results.
• Show solid documentation skills and write technical reports independently.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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…