Research & Development Lead

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense · Portland · $75,000–$105,000 (stated in the posting)

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This opportunity is located within our EnviroLogix business that develops and manufactures testing solutions for detecting GMOs, mycotoxins, plant pathogens, natural toxins and chemical contaminants in multiple agricultural matrices.Click here to learn more.

Job Description

Job Summary 

The R&D Lead operates as the Pod Leader within a Product Development pod and is accountable for creating predictable technical execution across a portfolio of concurrent Custom Assay Development (CAD) and new product development programs. The role translates portfolio priorities into clear daily and weekly work, facilitates the Pod operating system and Visual Management cadence, identifies and escalates abnormalities, balances technical resources, and ensures milestone and Stage Gate readiness. The R&D Lead provides hands-on immunoassay technical leadership and coaching, reviews data and experimental strategy, and builds scientist capability without formal people-management authority. In partnership with Program Management and cross-functional teams, the role helps move products from feasibility through development, verification, validation readiness, transfer, and commercialization while continuously improving how the Pod operates. 

Responsibilities:  

• Own the technical execution of the Pod portfolio and be accountable for predictable delivery of committed milestones, Stage Gate deliverables, and technical outcomes across concurrent programs. 

• Lead the Pod's day-to-day and weekly execution rhythm, including Visual Management, priority setting, work assignment, ownership clarity, and follow-up on misses and actions. 

• Serve as the first point of escalation for technical or operational abnormalities within the Pod; use data and structured problem solving to resolve issues or escalate when broader support or decisions are required. 

• Partner with Program Managers from planning through product launch using complementary accountabilities: Program Management owns program and cross-functional cadence while the CAD Lead owns technical execution within the Pod. 

• Maintain clear technical execution plans across approximately three concurrent programs; anticipate resource conflicts, adjust priorities as conditions change, and leverage EBOS, Visual Management, PSP, and Kaizen methods to improve predictability, quality, and flow. 

• Own all project documents assigned to the CAD Lead in PM-DOC-011 Product Development Design Control and ensure DHF content, technical assumptions, requirements, risks, and evidence are review-ready before Stage Gate transitions. 

• Make informed technical and operational decisions regarding experimental strategy, data interpretation, resource allocation, raw material sourcing, risk, and efficient execution using appropriate statistics, DOE, and evidence-based decision making. 

• Provide technical leadership and coaching to scientists by reviewing experimental plans and data, challenging technical thinking, clarifying expectations, and delegating ownership so the CAD Lead enables capability rather than becoming the execution bottleneck. 

• Maintain visible technical risk management by identifying risks early, assigning owners, defining mitigation actions and due dates, escalating blocked actions, and driving recurrence prevention when issues repeat. 

• Coordinate effectively with Program Management, Validation, Rare Reagents, Operations, Quality, Commercial/customer-facing teams, and other R&D functions to resolve issues, maintain project flow, and support successful transfer and commercialization. 

• Interface professionally with external customers and contractors when needed, communicating technical information clearly while maintaining confidentiality and protecting sensitive company information. 

• Provide backup leadership for the Product Development Manager when needed by offering technical guidance, execution context, and decision support across the CAD portfolio. 

• Promote and follow established safety practices and company policies. 

Skills Required: 

• Demonstrated technical leadership and work facilitation without direct people-management authority, including the ability to coach scientists, create accountability, and influence execution across a team. 

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple concurrent technical programs, set clear priorities, balance shared resources, anticipate conflicts, and adjust plans to protect critical milestones. 

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to work through differing viewpoints, provide clear feedback, and collaborate effectively across technical and business functions. 

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including data interpretation, basic statistics, DOE, root-cause analysis, risk assessment, and the ability to present technical conclusions clearly. 

• Self-directed, decisive, adaptable, and able to prioritize effectively and make sound decisions under ambiguity in a fast-paced, customer-driven environment. 

• Demonstrated immunoassay product-development expertise in lateral flow and/or ELISA from feasibility through optimization and verification; meaningful lateral-flow experience is preferred. 

• Working knowledge of structured new product development, Stage Gates, design controls, DHF documentation, verification/validation, manufacturing transfer, stability, and commercialization. 

• Experience with Visual Management, Lean/Daily Management, Ensign Bickford Operating System, or a comparable operating system, with a continuous-improvement mindset and willingness to lead systemic improvements. 

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related science with a minimum of 4 years of relevant immunoassay or product-development experience; Master’s degree preferred. Experience providing technical leadership across multiple concurrent development programs is strongly preferred. 

The anticipated hiring range for this position is: $75,000 - $105,000 annually. Salary is determined in good faith based on several factors including education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, requirements of the position, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

EnviroLogix is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.

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