R&D Program Manager

Brief DescriptionIn the pursuit of innovation, Aegis is seeking a strong R&D Program Manager to help lead the development of our next generation of products. In this role, you will own the execution of Agile, stage-gate R&D programs, driving cross-functional collaboration across engineering, product development, operations, marketing, and quality to bring new ideas to life.What You'll DoLead complex, cross-functional R&D/new product development initiatives from concept through prototype and into manufacturing readiness – aligning scope, schedule, cost, and performance targets.Run disciplined Agile and Stage-Gate execution rhythms: facilitate sprint visibility, manage stage deliverables, prepare gate materials, and drive crisp decisions and follow-through.Translate strategic product concepts into clear, executable plans—defining deliverables, owners, dependencies/critical path, and the “what it takes” scope of work to deploy new products. Partner across engineering, product development, operations, marketing, and quality to remove roadblocks and keep teams aligned—leading through influence as an individual contributor.Own program tracking and stakeholder communications: maintain schedules (e.g., Gantt), manage risk scorecards, and deliver leadership-ready updates and presentations.Drive early learning through proof-of-concept builds—planning “just enough” prototypes to validate direction quickly and cost-effectively.Plan and execute component-level and system-level validation testing, including tradeoff decisions, test-fixture conceptualization, and DOE (design of experiments) where appropriate.Apply structured troubleshooting and root-cause methods (e.g., FRACAS/FMEA/DFMEA) to improve reliability and accelerate iteration from field/test learning.Manage project budgets and spend discipline—tracking planned vs. actuals, surfacing variances early, and protecting delivery commitments.Collaborate with domestic and international suppliers on design guidance and quality issue resolution to keep development moving without compromising standards.Partner with technical teams on CAD-enabled development work to ensure designs are executable and reviewable across stakeholders.Proactively anticipate emerging risks/opportunities, de-bottlenecking constraints, and keeping momentum through ambiguity.Embrace and promote by incorporating into your work the core values of Aegis: Professionalism: Maintain a positive attitude and strong work ethic. Everyone is accountable for their work. Above all, respect others. Customer Focus: Always work to exceed customer expectations. Collaboration: Share ideas; train and mentor others to your level. Improve one another. 4. Take it Personal: Complete every task as if your reputation depends on it. Because it does! Make it Better: Ask yourself, “What can I do to make our company better?” Open Minded: Look at the possibilities and think outside the box. Embrace change.RequirementsBachelor’s degree is required (Masters preferred), with a focus/background in mechanical, electrical, controls engineering or product developmentStrong technical ability/experience with CAD toolsExperience leading cross-functional R&D projects of high complexityPractical experience in Agile/Stage Gate NPD processesExperience with technical troubleshooting and root-cause analysis (FRACAS, FMEA, DFMEA)Experience with Proof of Concept development and testing techniques and project Scope of Work developmentExperience setting up components and system level validation testing: understating the tradeoffs and ability to conceptualize test fixtures needed for design validation, experience with design of experiment (DOE) developmentStrong communication and leadership skillsReliability practitioner status required (Black Belt preferred, Green Belt at a minimum)Ability to manage risk scorecards, maintain Gantt charts, and prepare leadership-ready presentationsExperience with Scrum is preferredAbility to collaborate at all levels of the businessExperience developing and tracking NPD project budgets and adhesion to themAbility to coach junior engineersAbility to travel to customer or vendor sites as needed (10%)SummaryAbout Aegis SortationAt Aegis, our purpose is clear: to create raving fans through expert innovation in intralogistics. Our team combines innovative thinking with deep industry expertise to deliver solutions for projects of all sizes, throughputs, and complexities.Aegis Sortation is a leader in the intralogistics technology and innovation space. Our expertise spans E-Commerce, Freight and Parcel, and Warehouse and Distribution. As a prime integrator, we have a team capable of conceptualizing and laying out complex systems, and completing detailed design engineering, procurement, and field installation across various project platforms. Our commitment to integrating excellence throughout the project life cycle sets us apart, delivering automation solutions to businesses ranging from local service providers to international logistics giants.