Senior Level Development Specialist Jobs
Senior level development specialist jobs put experienced professionals in charge of program direction, organizational outcomes, and the cross-functional teams or initiatives that deliver them. Roles are concentrated in Electronics & Hardware, Retail, and Manufacturing, with a mix of on-site, remote, and hybrid settings, and employers like RH, Stripe, and VAC Magnetics hiring at this level now.
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Showing 4 of 6+ Senior Level Development Specialist jobs
INTRODUCTION
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.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- 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.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 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.
INTRODUCTION
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.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- 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.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 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.
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Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
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- Law & Legal Services
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Senior Level Development Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level development specialist job?
Employers at this level want candidates who have led programs from planning through execution and can point to measurable outcomes they owned. A strong application showcases strategic thinking, the ability to mentor junior staff, and experience coordinating across departments or stakeholders. Tailoring your materials to show scope of responsibility, not just task completion, is what separates senior candidates from mid-level applicants.
Which companies hire senior level development specialists?
Companies hiring senior level development specialists right now include RH, Stripe, and VAC Magnetics, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level tends to come from organizations with established development functions, including large nonprofits, healthcare systems, government contractors, and enterprise corporations with dedicated talent or program teams.
Are there remote senior level development specialist jobs?
Yes, though availability varies by industry and employer. About 25% of senior level development specialist openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting broader flexibility in roles that center on program management, stakeholder communication, and strategic planning rather than on-site operations. Filtering by work setting on Migrate Mate will show you what is currently available.
What makes a development specialist role senior level?
Senior level development specialist roles are defined by ownership and scope. At this stage, professionals lead programs or departments rather than supporting them, make decisions that affect organizational strategy, and are expected to mentor junior colleagues. The work typically involves managing complex stakeholder relationships, designing initiatives from the ground up, and being accountable for results across a full program lifecycle.
Which industries hire the most senior level development specialists?
Senior Level development specialist roles concentrate in Electronics & Hardware, Retail, and Manufacturing, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors tend to employ senior specialists because they operate large-scale programs that require experienced professionals to manage performance, compliance, and cross-functional coordination at an institutional level.