Manager, Research and Development

Job Description

Job Description

Manager, Research & Development

SIG SAUER, Inc. is a leading provider and manufacturer of firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, airguns, suppressors, remote controlled weapons stations, and training. For over 250 years SIG SAUER, Inc. has evolved, and thrived, by blending American ingenuity, German engineering, and Swiss precision. Today, SIG SAUER is synonymous with industry-leading quality and innovation which has made it the brand of choice amongst the U.S. Military, the global defense community, law enforcement, competitive shooters, hunters, and responsible citizens. Additionally, SIG SAUER is the premier provider of elite firearms instruction and tactical training at the SIG SAUER Academy. Headquartered in Newington, New Hampshire, SIG SAUER has over 3,400 employees across sixteen U.S. locations in three states, and four additional global facilities. SIG SAUER is certified a Great Place to Work™. For more information about the company and product line visit:

Position Summary: The Manager, Research & Development, is responsible for technical leadership and management of research and development projects from concept through commercialization. This role oversees the simultaneous development of multiple new products ensuring alignment with corporate strategic goals while effectively managing budgets and resources. Responsibilities include working closely with direct reports, fostering a team-oriented working environment, providing coaching to team members, and supporting other teams and Research & Development objectives as needed. This management position within the Research & Development department is generally intended for degreed mechanical engineers with significant relevant work experience designing new products in the firearms industry. Managerial leadership and project management experience is expected. The Manager, Research & Development lead a team including Designers, Design Engineers, and Technicians. They are active members of the Research & Development management team and collaborate cross-functionally with NPI management, test & evaluation, manufacturing, quality, and assembly personnel. Effective interaction with executive management and customers is also required.

FLSA: Exempt

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Managerial responsibility of 4-12 direct reports including Designers, Engineers, Research & Development Engineering Technicians, and co-ops and interns.
• Provide technical leadership and coaching to advance new product development from conception through production.
• Develop and maintain a collaborative team environment focused on excellence.
• Mentor team members in support of career development and advancement.
• Submit personnel requisitions as directed and lead the hiring effort to fill them, evaluating candidates, determining interview panel members, and selecting candidates to hire.
• Responsible for leading highly complex product development projects through all aspects of design from concept through commercialization, ensuring that product requirements and cost targets are met with robust, high-quality solutions.
• Provide input on product development estimates.
• Collaborate effectively with NPI Management to determine product development milestones which support corporate launch/tender submission dates.
• Organize and track product development tasks to ensure milestones are met on time, adjusting team resource allocations as necessary.
• Monitor team performance to ensure effective utilization of resources and a high quality of work.
• Jointly establish annual goals with each team member and monitor progress toward achievement.
• Identify and coordinate training opportunities for team members.
• Complete annual performance reviews and provide input to annual merit planning activities.
• Lead the team's interface with Product Management and NPI Management.
• Coordinate team collaboration with vendors and Manufacturing Engineering to ensure a high level of DFM (design for manufacturability).
• Interface with Quality and Assembly to understand and address individual part issues, as well as ensure a high-quality final product.
• Support Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, and other departments as needed.
• Responsible for ensuring products are designed with consideration for ease of manufacturing and inspection and that product costs meet plan. Review and approve drawings to ensure applicable standards are met and that important tolerance stacks have been documented showing acceptable results.
• Responsible for ensuring the required analyses for assigned projects are completed and documented thoroughly. Review methods used as well as the results of design analyses to ensure assumptions are appropriate and results are suitable for drawing valid conclusions. Exercise sound judgement in determining next steps.
• Review and approve test plans, ensuring that they are logical, thorough, and evaluate all necessary product requirements. Assess the accuracy and integrity of test results and conclusions, directing additional testing as necessary for the verification of product performance.
• Create, release, and maintain a Product Technical Specification for assigned development projects.
• Review drawings, BOMs, and change orders being released in the PLM system for accuracy, thoroughness, appropriate content, and adherence to company standards.
• Review the acceptability of part non-conformances, providing feedback to suppliers and Quality.
• Assess and approve or reject waivers and deviations using sound engineering judgement backed up by tolerance stack or other analyses.
• Review final product inspection procedures, initiating changes or additional checks to ensure quality of finished products.
• Support Customer Service with the resolution of quality issues as needed.
• Responsible for ensuring Intellectual Property is protected.
• Drive Continuous Improvement in Research & Development operations.
• Leads, participates in, and sustains 5S standards.
• Must follow all required Safety and ISO procedures. Follow safe firearms handling practices, and all range safety procedures when in the range area.
• Must be able to travel periodically.

Education/Experience & Skills:

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and 10+ years of engineering experience in a Research & Development environment.
• 3-5 years of managerial experience leading an Research & Development engineering team is required.
• Strong leadership skills and exceptional interpersonal skills to oversee team performance, foster collaboration and drive operational efficiency.
• Experienced performing and able to guide team members in conducting complex analyses such as FEA, kinematic and dynamic motion, CFD, and/or heat transfer.
• Possess a strong working knowledge of ASME Y14.5 standards including GD&T. Must be detail-oriented; able to identify drafting errors and less than optimal dimensioning and tolerancing schemes during drawing review. Must understand tolerance stack requirements and results including statistical elements.
• Strong fundamental understanding of manufacturing methods including machining, metal injection molding, plastic injection molding, stamping/fine blanking, extrusion, forging, and casting as well as knowledge in material selection, heat treatment and coatings.
• Demonstrated expertise in making strategically and financially sound decisions while managing budget, schedule, resources, and quality constraints at a portfolio level.
• Strong competency using Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint to compile, analyze, and present data. Proficiency using Microsoft Project and monday.com is preferred.
• High level of proficiency using CAD software for parametric solid modeling, drafting, and building/manipulating complex mated assemblies; SolidWorks highly preferred.
• Experienced using a PLM system for complete product lines (Agile preferred).
• Must be able to clearly, concisely, and accurately convey ideas and information to others, both verbally and in written form. Able to effectively present information to executive management.
• Able to lead teams in defining and resolving highly complex problems by collecting and analyzing data, establishing facts, drawing valid conclusions, and executing viable solutions.
• Experience using and maintaining firearms and/or related products preferred.
• Familiarity with ITAR, ATF and EAR regulations is preferred.
• Familiarity with NATO and TOP standards as well as Mil-Specs is preferred.

Working Conditions:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working at a computer using a keyboard and mouse performing repetitive tasks.
• Ability to open file cabinets, reach with hands and arms, bend, and twist, lift and move files.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Must wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) where required.
• Must comply with all work exposure EH&S training requirements and adhere to SIG SAUER Inc. Security Mandates.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.