Research & Development Engineering Manager

About Bivar

Bivar is a global leader in innovative LED indication and component solutions, serving customers across a wide range of industries. We are an employee-owned company committed to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and delivering high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of our customers. Join a team where your contributions make a direct impact on our success!

About the Role

Location: Irvine, CA (Onsite)

We are seeking an innovative and technically driven Research & Development Engineering Manager to lead the exploration, development, and commercialization of next-generation products and technologies that will shape the future of Bivar's portfolio. In this role, you will transform customer, market, and technology insights into innovative solutions that drive growth and strengthen our competitive advantage.

Working closely with Product Management, Sales, Marketing, Engineering, and Manufacturing, you'll lead original research initiatives, identify emerging market opportunities, and champion new ideas from concept through commercialization. Through customer engagement, industry research, and technical leadership, you'll help define the next generation of products, technologies, and manufacturing capabilities that support Bivar's long-term success.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Optical (Photonics), Illuminating Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in R&D, product development, innovation engineering, or new technology development, preferably within electromechanical or opto-mechanical products.
• A passion for research, invention, and long-range innovation, with experience identifying market opportunities and translating insights into innovative product concepts and technology roadmaps.
• Experience engaging directly with customers, attending industry conferences and trade shows, and leveraging market intelligence to drive product strategy and innovation.
• Hands-on experience with prototyping, engineering analysis, verification and validation testing, and bringing ideas from concept through commercialization.
• Strong project leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience managing R&D initiatives from ideation through execution and communicating progress to stakeholders and leadership.

Why Join Bivar

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), giving every employee a direct stake in the company's success.

At Bivar, we know that strong teams are built from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Even if your experience doesn't align with every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply. If you're excited about improving product quality, driving continuous improvement, and helping deliver exceptional solutions to customers around the world, we'd love to hear from you.