7+ years of experience in product development, R&D, or engineering within luxury furniture, antiques, or architectural industries.
Deep knowledge of 18th and 19th century design movements and their materials.
Exceptional visual acuity to distinguish finishes and craftsmanship.
Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant technical field preferred.
Strong interpersonal skills for collaboration with designers and artisans.
Sophisticated project management skills for budget and quality control.
Responsibilities
Model and promote the company's vision, values, and beliefs.
Collaborate with co-founders to translate historical design into luxury collections.
Research historical pieces to create material specifications for new collections.
Oversee weathering tests to validate performance of outdoor materials.
Review and approve samples, ensuring period-correct details and quality.
Work with the Finishing Shop Foreman to align raw materials with proprietary finishes.
Troubleshoot defects to maintain luxury quality standards.
Benefits
Opportunity to work directly with renowned interior designers and co-founders.
Engagement in a creative and innovative environment.
Access to a unique blend of historical and modern design practices.
Collaboration with master artisans and operational leaders.
Onsite presence at a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
Full Job Description
Job Description
RH is seeking a dedicated and innovation-focused Senior Research & Development (R&D) Specialist to drive material innovation while serving as the ultimate guardian of our historical aesthetic. Based primarily out of our Formations Manufacturing facility in Torrance, CA, this position reports directly to the Formations General Manager and Chief Operating Officer (COO), while offering a rare opportunity to work directly with legendary interior designers and Formations Co-Founders, Richard Hallberg and Dan Cuevas.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Live and model Our Vision, Values and Beliefs every day.
Partner directly with Formations Co-Founders to execute their creative vision, translating centuries-old design precedents into scalable luxury collections
Research 18th and 19th century museum pieces to develop comprehensive material specification sheets for new collections
Oversee weathering tests for outdoor stone and iron components to validate structural performance across modern climate conditions
Review and approve physical samples of hardware, mirror glass and wood carvings, providing precise feedback on period-correct proportions, textures and patinas
Collaborate daily with the Finishing Shop Foreman to confirm raw materials align with proprietary paints, waxes and patinas
Troubleshoot technical defects, including wood warping and natural stone variation, to uphold luxury quality standards
Audit active production lines to preserve traditional textures, joinery and hand-applied character
Coordinate between the Torrance production floor and creative meetings in West Hollywood, keeping design and manufacturing aligned
Keep the Formations General Manager and Chief Operating Officer informed on project timelines, resource needs, manufacturing feasibility and budget parameters
Track product development cycle time, milestone completion and first-pass quality yield to drive continuous improvement across R&D initiatives
Lead material testing compliance for newly developed outdoor composites, ensuring full execution of structural and weathering protocols
WHAT YOU BRING
7+ years of experience in product development, R&D or engineering within luxury furniture, antiques or architectural industries
Deep, authoritative knowledge of 18th and 19th century design movements, including Georgian, Regency and Louis XVI, and their period-specific materials
Exceptional visual acuity, with the skill to distinguish instantly between a modern machine finish and a hand-applied 19th century finish
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science, Furniture Design, Wood Science and Technology, Architecture, Art History or a related technical field is preferred
Strong interpersonal skills with natural ease interfacing with executive designers, operational leaders, master artisans and shop foremen
Sophisticated project management skills with precision in budget tracking, timeline adherence and quality control
WHAT TO EXPECT
Based primarily onsite at the Formations manufacturing facility in Torrance, California, with periodic travel to West Hollywood
Extended periods on the production floor, including close visual inspection of materials, samples and finished components
Frequent movement throughout the manufacturing facility to audit production lines and partner with shop leadership
About RH
RH (formerly Restoration Hardware) is a luxury home furnishings retailer that offers furniture, lighting, textiles, bathware, decor, and outdoor products. The company operates through its retail galleries, source books, and websites. RH's products are designed to appeal to affluent consumers who are interested in high-end, modern home decor. The company has been expanding its product offerings and store footprint in recent years, and has also launched a hospitality business that includes restaurants and boutique hotels.
