Lead R&D Engineer

Job description

Job Description: The Lead Research & Development Engineer is a senior technical leadership role responsible for both high-level engineering contribution and team-level coordination, mentoring, and delivery. This role focuses on driving innovation, ensuring technical excellence, and fostering collaboration within a team composed of Senior R&D Engineers, Level 2 and Level 1 Engineers, and Engineering Interns. The Lead Engineer serves as the primary technical authority and point of leadership for complex, high-impact projects, balancing technical depth with team leadership and delivery accountability to deliver safe, efficient, and cost-effective solutions. This role maintains active involvement in hands-on engineering work, focusing on high-complexity and high-risk designs where senior technical judgment provides the greatest impact. This role is critical to scaling engineering capacity by improving team throughput, reducing rework, and ensuring efficient execution of increasingly complex project demands. Qualifications: Experience: 10+ years of progressive engineering experience in mechanical and/or structural design for heavy lift or related industries. Demonstrated success in leading engineering teams and delivering complex, high-impact projects. Certifications: Professional Engineer (PE) license required, OSHA 10 preferred. Technical Expertise: Mastery of mechanical design, structural analysis, and advanced simulation tools (FEA, fatigue analysis, failure modes). Deep knowledge of cranes, hoists, hydraulic systems, and modular transport systems. Advanced proficiency in CAD platforms (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor) and engineering software (ANSYS, Nastran, Abaqus, RISA-3D). Strong understanding of industry standards (OSHA, AISC, AWS, ASME B30 Series, ANSI, ASCE-7). Technical Leadership & Team Development: Proven ability to lead and mentor a team of engineers at varying experience levels while remaining an active technical contributor. Demonstrated capability in coordinating team efforts, prioritizing engineering work, and guiding execution on complex projects. Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and client engagement. Ability to effectively present technical concepts to executive leadership and external stakeholders. Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or civil engineering (ABET accredited). Key Responsibilities: Team Leadership: Lead and coordinate a single engineering team, ensuring alignment with project objectives, company processes and standards. Mentor Senior, Level II, Level I R&D Engineers, Engineering Interns and guide professional development across all team members. Ensure clear accountability for engineering deliverables within the team. Hands-On Technical Contribution: Maintain active involvement in engineering work, focusing on complex analysis, design, and problem-solving efforts where senior level expertise is required. Serve as a key contributor to critical projects and design reviews. Project Oversight: Serve as the technical authority for high-complexity projects, establishing design parameters, leading design reviews, and ensuring sound engineering judgment is applied across all work. Ensure projects meet safety, quality, and performance benchmarks while adhering to timelines and budgets. Engineering Throughput & Efficiency: Improve team productivity by reducing rework, streamlining decision making, and ensuring efficient execution of engineering deliverables. Identify and address bottlenecks that limit the team’s ability to scale with increasing workload. Innovation & Strategy: Drive research initiatives to identify emerging technologies, materials, and methodologies for next-generation equipment. Establish best practices for design, testing, and implementation within the team. Stakeholder Engagement: Act as primary liaison between the engineering team, executive leadership, and key clients. Communicate project status, risks, and technical solutions effectively, and ensure alignment between engineering execution and organizational priorities. Quality & Compliance: Ensure all designs comply with industry regulations, applicable codes and standards and the internal Barnhart Quality Management System. Oversee validation testing, prototype evaluations, and continuous improvement processes. Operational Support: Provide technical leadership during critical lift operations and troubleshoot complex engineering challenges in real time. Compensation and Benefits: Competitive salary and performance bonus 401(k) program with company match up to10% of pay Family medical, dental and vision insurance Paid time off and other benefits Barnhart CARES family care and community service opportunities PURPOSE – Barnhart is built on a strong foundation of serving others. The fruit of our labor is used to grow the company, care for our employees, and serve those in our communities and around the world. MINDS OVER MATTER – Barnhart has built a nationwide reputation for solving problems. We specialize in the lifting, heavy-rigging, and heavy transport of major components used in American industry. NETWORK – Barnhart has built teams that form one of our industry’s strongest networks of talent and resources with over 60 branch locations across the U.S. working together to serve our customers. This growing network offers our team members constant opportunity for career growth and professional development. CULTURE – Barnhart has a strong team culture -- the “One TEAM.” We are looking for smart, hard-working people who strive for excellence in their work and appreciate collaboration. Join a team that values Safety, Servant Leadership, Quality Service, Innovation, Continuous Improvement, Fairness, and Profit with a Purpose. EOE/AA Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran #LI-AW1