RBC Bearings · 1 month ago
R&D Engineering Director (Bearings)
Simpsonville, SC
Full-time
Onsite
Director/ExecutiveRBC Bearings is a leader in manufacturing and engineering services, seeking an R&D Engineering Director for Bearings. This role will lead design innovation and R&D initiatives, ensuring the company's market leadership in bearing performance and quality.
AerospaceIndustrialManufacturing
Responsibilities
Act as a leader for the team and maintain responsibility to drive improved decision-making skills and advanced educational development for all team members
Create an environment of innovation, collaboration, and high technical proficiency within the team
Prioritize work, identify competency needs and define/execute any necessary actions to fill required competency gaps
Demonstrates sound fundamental technical proficiency across all product areas of responsibility
Emphasis on critical thinking, root cause analysis, and problem solving
Lead the team in creating new and innovative solutions that exceed the performance of current technologies
Demonstrates an entrepreneurial innovative spirit to R&D projects with own unique and creative ideas
Requires team members to follow-up on projects and activities within own technical area
Demonstrates sound understanding of, and actively applies, R&D processes and tools
Examples include sound communication capabilities, advanced project management processes, advanced understanding of business planning including all financial aspects required to support financial funding of a project
Actively teaches own technical/scientific knowledge to less skilled colleagues in applying processes and tools to ensure timely and high-quality results
Shows solid documentation skills and writes technical reports independently
Act as a strategic leader for the team of engineers across assigned product areas
Create a strategic vision for R&D Engineering based on customer-based input
Encourage team members to be creative with identifying opportunities to enhance our products in a unique way, or to develop innovative ways to solve market problems
Manage a team of engineers by prioritizing work with a focus on project execution and innovative creation
Create a strategic vision for R&D Engineering roadmap based on customer-based input
Responsible for managing cost center expenses relative to approved budgets
LEAN tools to create standardized test procedures and design standards
Actively and routinely oversee, observe, and/or 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 in alignment with the strategy to continuously improve the team’s effectiveness while improving the customer experience
Identify competency gaps or future needs and develop the necessary competencies in the team that are required to support the business
Act as the Technical Expert in situations that require legal consultation or audits
Occasional travel to attend technical events, and strategic meetings or planning events
Collaborate with other business functions, including manufacturing, supply chain, product management, Application Engineering, and quality
Drive design enhancements lean/continuous improvement projects, which may include 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
Qualification
Required
Advanced degree (master's or Ph.D.) in Tribology or Mechanical Engineering required
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
Knowledge of Six Sigma, DFMEA, and Lean methodologies
Executive communication and strategic planning abilities
Proven success influencing global R&D or product strategy
Preferred
Experience with mechanical power transmission and rotating equipment preferred
Familiarity with digital bearing diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and IIoT integration
Company
RBC Bearings
RBC Bearings provides our global industrial, aerospace, and defense customers with unique design solutions.
Founded in 1919
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
RBC Bearings has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2021 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
unknownKey Investors
Aurora Capital Partners
2005-08-10IPO
1992-03-01Private Equity
Leadership Team
Robert Sullivan
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
2025-11-01
Morningstar.com
2025-10-13
2025-09-04
Company data provided by crunchbase