Director of Research and Development

About the Role

Hayden Industrial, a leading manufacturer of industrial cooling systems, is seeking an experienced Director of Research and Development to lead innovation, design, and advancement of heat transfer equipment and thermal system technologies at our Tulsa, OK facility. This role drives new product development, improves existing designs, and ensures competitiveness in performance, efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and execute the R&D strategy aligned with company growth objectives.
  • Identify emerging thermal technologies, materials, and industry trends.
  • Drive product roadmap planning and lifecycle management.
  • Evaluate new market opportunities (energy efficiency, electrification, sustainability).
• Product Development & Innovation
  • Lead development of heat exchangers, condensers, radiators, or other thermal systems.
  • Oversee thermal modeling, simulation (CFD/FEA), and performance testing.
  • Improve heat transfer efficiency, durability, manufacturability, and cost structure.
  • Approve engineering designs, calculations, specifications, and test protocols.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Sales and Applications Engineering to develop customer-specific solutions.
  • Collaborate with Manufacturing to ensure Design for Manufacturability.
  • Support Supply Chain with material selection and vendor qualification.
  • Work with Quality and Field Service to resolve product performance issues.
• Compliance & Standards
  • Ensure compliance with relevant industry codes and standards (e.g., ASME, API, TEMA, AHRI, ISO).
  • Oversee safety analysis, pressure vessel compliance, and certification processes.
  • Maintain adherence to environmental and energy efficiency regulations.
• Budget & Resource Management
  • Develop and manage the R&D budget.
  • Prioritize and allocate resources across development projects.
  • Evaluate ROI and business case justification for new product initiatives.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or related field required; PhD preferred.
• PE license preferred.
• 10+ years in thermal system design or heat transfer equipment engineering.
• 5+ years in engineering leadership or R&D management.
• Experience with pressure vessels and thermal system compliance standards.
• Proven success launching engineered industrial products.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer principles.
• Experience with CFD and FEA tools.
• Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar).
• Understanding of manufacturing processes (welding, brazing, machining, fabrication).

Work Environment

• Based in a manufacturing environment with a combination of office and plant floor responsibilities.
• Uses standard office equipment.
• When in the manufacturing facility, all employees are required to wear personal protective equipment, including hearing protection, safety glasses with side shields, and OSHA-compliant safety boots/shoes.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand for long periods, walk, reach, ascend/descend ladders, bend, kneel, and stoop.
• Occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds.
• Requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Schedule

• Full-time, exempt position.
• Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
• Travel between the Tulsa and Claremore locations is required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Generous paid time off schedule.
• Professional development opportunities.