R&D Manager

WHAT WE'RE BUILDING
71% of our planet is covered by water. We want everyone to make the most of it.
At Seakeeper, we use advanced technology to solve boating's biggest challenge: motion. From our industry-leading gyrostabilizers that eliminate boat roll to Seakeeper Ride's real-time vessel attitude control system, our products are transforming how people experience life on the water. Our mission is to create products that transform the boating experience while building an organization that employees want to work for, customers want to buy from, and vendors want to partner with. We're ambitious, fast-moving, and constantly looking for better ways to serve our customers and each other.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS ROLE
Lead the team that turns bold technical ideas into tested concepts that can shape Seakeeper's next generation of marine motion-control products. You'll own the early-stage R&D pipeline, build and coach a multidisciplinary engineering team, and create the technical foundation that allows promising technologies to move confidently into product development.
HOW WE WORK
At Seakeeper, we're looking for people who are excited to build, learn, and make an impact. We want people who are looking for more than just a job. You'll thrive here if you:
See challenges as opportunities to grow.
Take ownership and act with accountability.
Value direct, honest communication and actively seek feedback.
Build trust through transparency, consistency, and follow-through.
Believe great ideas can come from anywhere and that teamwork drives the best outcomes.
Lead with integrity, respect, and a commitment to doing what's right.
Want to be part of a company that is continuously innovating, evolving, and raising the bar for itself and the industry.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Every day looks a little different and we aren’t going to bore you with every little thing you’ll be responsible for on a daily basis (we will get into that throughout the interview process!) But here is a taste of the things you’ll spend most of your time and energy on.
Lead and develop a multidisciplinary R&D engineering team, building the technical capability, ownership, and capacity required for Seakeeper's long-term technology strategy.
Own the early-stage technology pipeline, evaluating emerging technologies, materials, and opportunities against clear technical, market, and business criteria.
Drive rapid prototyping, proof-of-concept testing, and feasibility studies that reduce technical and commercial uncertainty quickly.
Create and maintain a short- and long-term R&D strategy and technology roadmap aligned with Seakeeper's growth priorities and future product capabilities.
Translate validated technologies into clear implementation packages that product engineering can use to move concepts toward reliable product solutions.
Lead system-level technical reviews and trade-off decisions, using data to surface risks, resolve disagreements, and establish clear next steps.
Build strong partnerships across Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Product Management, Operations, suppliers, and technology partners to accelerate R&D outcomes.
Create a culture of curiosity, experimentation, collaboration, learning, and accountability where the team challenges conventional thinking without compromising technical rigor.
Lead the technical contributions for intellectual property protection, such as patents.
WHAT YOU'LL BRING
Education
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, systems engineering, electrical engineering, or another closely related technical field.
Master's degree and experience with mechatronic and/or hydraulic systems are preferred.
Experience
7+ years of experience in innovation, research and development, technology development, and/or product development.
2+ years of project ownership or engineering management experience, plus 2+ years of people leadership or technical mentoring experience.
Senior-level, system-level product design capability with sound judgment on technical risks, interfaces, and trade-offs.
Experience contributing to technology or product roadmaps with a five-year or longer planning horizon.
Hands-on experience with feasibility studies, proof-of-concept testing, rapid prototyping, technical reviews, engineering documentation, and communication of project timelines, risks, goals, and budgets.Experience developing technical content for patents and intellectual property protection.
Programs, Platforms & Technical Skills
Proficiency with engineering analysis and calculation tools, CAD and product-documentation systems, and prototype and test equipment.
Ability to align senior technical contributors, reach practical compromises, and explain complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.
Familiarity with SolidWorks, Microsoft 365, Wrike, and NetSuite is helpful.
Physical Abilities (with or without accommodation)
Ability to work in engineering, prototype, manufacturing, supplier, and marine environments while using required PPE.
Ability to participate in on-water testing and move throughout Seakeeper facilities and test environments as needed.
WHERE YOU'LL WORK
This is a full-time role based at Seakeeper's Leesport, Pennsylvania facility, with an expectation of working onsite at least four days per week. The work regularly extends beyond a desk into engineering, prototype, manufacturing, supplier, and marine environments, including occasional on-water testing.
WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH

Skills
Product Management, Prototyping, SolidWorks, Intellectual Property, Documentation

Employment type
Full Time

Work arrangement
No