R&D Field Operations Specialist

Work Location: US.PA.Pittsburgh.1000 Omega Drive. Working Environment: On-Site Craft/Manufacturing/Engineering - Engineering.

About the role

This position is hands-on and people-focused to serve as the critical connection between our Research & Development team and the crews who use our products in the field every day. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working outdoors, building relationships, solving practical problems, and traveling to active jobsites across the country.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with field superintendents, foremen, and ground crews.
• Observe operations and gather feedback on daily challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Identify operational, mechanical, procedural, or equipment-related issues affecting safety, productivity, or quality.
• Translate field feedback into actionable recommendations for the R&D team.
• Support development, testing, and evaluation of prototypes and process improvements.
• Coordinate field trials and collect performance data and user feedback.
• Drive continuous improvement by helping implement practical solutions.

Requirements

• High School degree.
• Experience in construction, welding, manufacturing, skilled trades, field operations, or a related hands-on environment.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Mechanical aptitude and curiosity for improving equipment and processes.
• Willingness to travel up to 75% throughout the United States.
• Commitment to OSHA regulations and safety best practices.

Benefits

One of NPK’s Core Values is Excellence. It means we are committed to delivering value through performance, innovation, and service quality, and that commitment starts with YOU! NPK is where you can challenge yourself in new and exciting ways and work in an environment that supports and values you. Here at NPK, we are committed to finding, developing, retaining, and rewarding the best talent while providing an environment where our employees can grow professionally and personally.

What We Value At NPK, our values, safety, integrity, accountability, respect, and excellence are more than words - they are non-negotiable fundamentals that define what is important to us. They are the foundation for our purpose. Our Purpose encapsulates how our values work together to drive our decision-making, actions, and behaviors. They help us create meaningful relationships with each other, our clients, and partners. Every day, we strive to live these values and fulfill our purpose, building a culture that reflects who we are and where we're headed. P - People Focused - First in every action U - United - Different voices make us stronger together R - Reliable - Unwavering in our quality and service P - Passionate - Energy and excitement is our fuel O - Optimistic - Any moment is a chance to shine S - Sincere - Authenticity starts with vulnerability E - Enterprising - Agility is the key to opportunity