Director of Research and Development - Texas

Director of Research and Development - Texas H&A Recruiter

Our client, a global heavy equipment manufacturer, is seeking a Director of Research & Development based in Texas to lead regional R&D initiatives supporting construction and material handling product lines.

This leader will drive product improvement, oversee technical development, and ensure North American market expectations for quality and performance are consistently met.

Fluency in Chinese and English is required due to frequent collaboration with international engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a regional R&D and quality assurance team, managing staffing, resources, and annual objectives.
• Oversee field research at customer job sites to understand real-world applications, performance gaps, and improvement opportunities.
• Translate functional requirements into clear design specifications for engineering teams.
• Collaborate closely with international product development groups to define project scope, prioritize initiatives, and support new product planning.
• Monitor emerging technologies, standards, and market requirements in North America to guide future development.
• Manage key technical projects and drive the execution of new product concepts, materials, and technologies.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop technical talent across engineering roles.
• Ensure accurate documentation of all R&D activities, reports, testing phases, and project results.
• Track and communicate performance metrics to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Participate in industry events, technical committees, and contribute to publications or patents when appropriate.
• Support quality assurance efforts to ensure products are validated and ready for field deployment.

For more information on this position, please contact Kingston Wynn at Herk & Associates:

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive engineering experience, including 10+ years in R&D for large off-highway, mining, quarry, or heavy construction equipment.
• Strong leadership background with experience managing technical teams and complex development projects.
• Deep understanding of heavy equipment systems, performance testing, and reliability requirements.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally in a global environment.
• Fluency in Chinese and English required.
• Must have valid work authorization; this is an on-site position with no remote option.