Vice President of Research and DevelopmentLocationWilmington, MAOnsite, Hybrid or Fully RemoteOnsiteStatusFull-TimeReports ToCEOFLSA StatusExempt/ SalariedManagement PositionYesPosition Overview
The Vice President, Research and Development will lead Kovalus' membrane innovation strategy, overseeing the development, scaleup, and lifecycle management of advanced membrane products. This role is responsible for translating market needs and strategic objectives into differentiated technologies that strengthen competitive advantage across water, wastewater, and industrial applications
The Director of R&D will manage multidisciplinary teams spanning membrane development, module design, pilot-to-manufacturing transition, while working closely with Operations, Product Management, Commercial, and Regulatory functions.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIESManage the Kovalus R&D Organization- Manage the Membrane R&D and Product Development resources to accomplish company strategic goals using innovation across membrane and module deisgn.
- Use effective project management practices, with clear deliverables, project schedule, and regular stakeholder communication.
Lead R&D Strategy, Portfolio, and Organizational Excellence- Set and execute the membrane innovation roadmap, aligning people, platforms, and programs to company strategy and growth priorities.
- Establish portfolio governance and disciplined execution via stage-gate or fast-track processes, with clear deliverables, resource plans, risk management, and proactive stakeholder communication.
- Own the intellectual property strategy and portfolio (patents, trade secrets, and freedom-to-operate), ensuring defensible differentiation and value creation.
- Identify and pursue external technology opportunities (partnerships, licensing, M&A) to accelerate roadmap delivery and expand technical capabilities.
Manufacturing Support- Allocate resources for routine manufacturing support and troubleshooting, new product release, and qualification of alternate raw materials.
- Allocate resources and technical expertise to ensure stable, scalable manufacturing operations, with focus on:
- Qualification of alternate raw materials and suppliers, including test plans, acceptance criteria, and documentation to maintain product performance and compliance.
- New product releases-supporting manufacturing readiness, process validation, work instructions, and smooth handoff from development to production.
Commercial Coordination & Product Launch Enablement- Partner with the Product Management group and Commercial leaders to ensure R&D investments translate into market impact, with focus on:
- Defining R&D priorities based on commercial need-translate voice-of-customer, market insights, and business cases into clear product requirements, target cost/performance, and an executable innovation roadmap.
- Launching new products-drive cross-functional alignment on development timelines, validation plans, and commercialization readiness to enable successful product releases.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Required- PhD or MSc. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, or related field
- 10+ years of progressive experience in membrane technology, separations, or advanced materials
- 5+ years in a senior R&D leadership role managing multidisciplinary teams
- Deep technical expertise in membrane materials, module design, and separation processes
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Proven track record of commercializing membrane products at scale
- Strong understanding of pilot testing, manufacturing scale-up, and quality systems
- Familiarity with regulatory frameworks and industry standards
Kovalus offers a comprehensive package that includes: Medical (3 plan options), Dental (2 plan options) and Vision plan insurances; 401K (6% company match & fixed company contribution based on seniority); health savings and flexible spending accounts; company provided basic life insurance policy with the option of selecting additional voluntary life insurance for self, spouse or dependents; disability insurances (short-term policy is company paid & long-term is split between company and employee); voluntary insurance plans for Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity; business and personal travel insurance; 10 paid holidays; vacation time starting at 3 weeks; 48 hours sick time; employee assistance program; educational assistance program; referral bonus; bereavement leave.
All benefits are subject to applicable plan and program terms (including eligibility terms) and may be subject to change.
Compensation Min: $180kCompensation Max: $240k + Bonus potential Physical Requirements:- Must be able to ascend and descend ladders, stairs, and in proximity to loud equipment.
- Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Must be able to see and respond to at-risk situations.
- Must be able to wear personal protective gear when in industrial locations.
- Must be able sit for longer periods of time as well as move about throughout the office and production, / laboratory environment.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
