H-1B Visa Director of Research and Development Jobs
Director of Research and Development jobs at H-1B visa-sponsoring employers demand a specialty occupation credential: at minimum a bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or a directly related technical field. Because R&D directors oversee complex, degree-dependent work, the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation under USCIS standards, making it a strong candidate for H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Citrin Cooperman offers a dynamic work environment, fostering professional growth and collaboration. We’re continuously seeking talented individuals who bring fresh perspectives, a problem-solving mindset, and sharp technical expertise. We know you have choices, so our team of collaborative, innovative professionals are at the ready to support your professional development. At Citrin Cooperman, we offer competitive compensation and benefits and most importantly, the flexibility to manage your personal and professional life to focus on what matters most to you!
We are seeking a Research & Development (R&D) Tax Director to join our Federal Credits & Incentives practice within the National Tax Advisory Team.
Responsibilities are, but not limited to:
- Work directly with CFO’s, owners, and leaders from small and middle market companies.
- Work directly with Citrin Cooperman’s Federal C&I Leader to build a fast-growing, entrepreneurial R&D Tax practice.
- Manage and perform R&D Tax Credit Studies and Secs. 174 and 174A Cost Analyses.
- Lead multiple projects simultaneously, overseeing project planning, resource coordination, client communications, and execution to ensure timely and successful delivery.
- Oversee the quality, accuracy, timely delivery of engagement deliverables, which may include presentation decks, executive summaries, credit calculations, completed tax forms, supporting files, memoranda, and IRS audit responses ensuring compliance with firm standards, regulatory requirements, and client expectations.
- Drive engagement efficiency and scalability by identifying process improvements, leveraging technology, and implementing best practices across the practice.
- Perform tax technical research.
- Drive business development initiatives by cultivating client relationships, identifying growth opportunities, supporting proposal development, and expanding service offerings within existing and prospective clients.
- Maintain responsibility for client engagement economics, including onboarding, staffing, billings/collections, and ensure client profitability targets are met.
- Monitor current and proposed tax legislation and regulations related to federal credits & incentives.
- Liaise with members of Citrin Cooperman’s National Tax Office on various technical matters.
- Demonstrate sound judgement and instincts with respect to evaluating complex scenarios, escalating risks, and recommending proactive solutions.
- Lead, mentor, and develop engagement teams, providing coaching, technical guidance, and performance oversight to ensure exceptional client service and team development.
- Partner with firm leadership to support the strategic growth and expansion of the Federal Credits & Incentives practice, contributing to practice development, talent growth, and market positioning initiatives.
The ideal candidate must have:
- 10+ years of recent experience conducting and managing R&D Tax Credit Studies and Sec. 174 Cost Analyses.
- Experience with a Big Four or Top 20 public accounting firm.
- Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field required.
- Active CPA or EA designation required.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, including experience evaluating large datasets and leveraging technology and data analysis tools to develop client solutions.
- Experience with corporate and flow through entity tax compliance.
- Experience managing multiple client engagements and leading client service teams, with the ability to prioritize competing demands and deliver high-quality results through effective project management and execution.
- Broad tax technical knowledge, including experience conducting tax research and analysis, with the ability to interpret, evaluate, and apply complex tax and industry concepts to client-specific situations.
- Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to mentor, supervise, and collaborate effectively with both firm and client personnel.
- Familiarity and/or experience with IRS and state tax controversy.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with demonstrated ability to think critically, solve complex challenges, identify new business opportunities, and contribute to practice growth initiatives.
- Commitment to serving small and middle-market privately held companies through a hands-on, client-focused approach, with willingness to travel as needed in a hybrid work environment.
INTRODUCTION
Citrin Cooperman offers a dynamic work environment, fostering professional growth and collaboration. We’re continuously seeking talented individuals who bring fresh perspectives, a problem-solving mindset, and sharp technical expertise. We know you have choices, so our team of collaborative, innovative professionals are at the ready to support your professional development. At Citrin Cooperman, we offer competitive compensation and benefits and most importantly, the flexibility to manage your personal and professional life to focus on what matters most to you!
We are seeking a Research & Development (R&D) Tax Director to join our Federal Credits & Incentives practice within the National Tax Advisory Team.
Responsibilities are, but not limited to:
- Work directly with CFO’s, owners, and leaders from small and middle market companies.
- Work directly with Citrin Cooperman’s Federal C&I Leader to build a fast-growing, entrepreneurial R&D Tax practice.
- Manage and perform R&D Tax Credit Studies and Secs. 174 and 174A Cost Analyses.
- Lead multiple projects simultaneously, overseeing project planning, resource coordination, client communications, and execution to ensure timely and successful delivery.
- Oversee the quality, accuracy, timely delivery of engagement deliverables, which may include presentation decks, executive summaries, credit calculations, completed tax forms, supporting files, memoranda, and IRS audit responses ensuring compliance with firm standards, regulatory requirements, and client expectations.
- Drive engagement efficiency and scalability by identifying process improvements, leveraging technology, and implementing best practices across the practice.
- Perform tax technical research.
- Drive business development initiatives by cultivating client relationships, identifying growth opportunities, supporting proposal development, and expanding service offerings within existing and prospective clients.
- Maintain responsibility for client engagement economics, including onboarding, staffing, billings/collections, and ensure client profitability targets are met.
- Monitor current and proposed tax legislation and regulations related to federal credits & incentives.
- Liaise with members of Citrin Cooperman’s National Tax Office on various technical matters.
- Demonstrate sound judgement and instincts with respect to evaluating complex scenarios, escalating risks, and recommending proactive solutions.
- Lead, mentor, and develop engagement teams, providing coaching, technical guidance, and performance oversight to ensure exceptional client service and team development.
- Partner with firm leadership to support the strategic growth and expansion of the Federal Credits & Incentives practice, contributing to practice development, talent growth, and market positioning initiatives.
The ideal candidate must have:
- 10+ years of recent experience conducting and managing R&D Tax Credit Studies and Sec. 174 Cost Analyses.
- Experience with a Big Four or Top 20 public accounting firm.
- Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field required.
- Active CPA or EA designation required.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, including experience evaluating large datasets and leveraging technology and data analysis tools to develop client solutions.
- Experience with corporate and flow through entity tax compliance.
- Experience managing multiple client engagements and leading client service teams, with the ability to prioritize competing demands and deliver high-quality results through effective project management and execution.
- Broad tax technical knowledge, including experience conducting tax research and analysis, with the ability to interpret, evaluate, and apply complex tax and industry concepts to client-specific situations.
- Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to mentor, supervise, and collaborate effectively with both firm and client personnel.
- Familiarity and/or experience with IRS and state tax controversy.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with demonstrated ability to think critically, solve complex challenges, identify new business opportunities, and contribute to practice growth initiatives.
- Commitment to serving small and middle-market privately held companies through a hands-on, client-focused approach, with willingness to travel as needed in a hybrid work environment.
See all 115+ H-1B Visa Director of Research and Development Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Director of Research and Development Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Director of Research and Development
Align your credentials with specialty occupation standards
Pull your O*NET profile for Directors of Research and Development and confirm your degree field maps directly to the listed knowledge domains. USCIS scrutinizes whether a director-level R&D role genuinely requires a specific technical degree, not just any bachelor's.
Target employers with active R&D LCA filings
Use Migrate Mate to browse Director of Research and Development roles at employers who have certified LCAs for this occupation code, so you're applying to companies already familiar with the H-1B filing process for senior technical leadership positions.
Verify prevailing wage tier before accepting an offer
Run the OFLC Wage Search for the Director of Research and Development SOC code at the specific worksite location. R&D director roles typically fall in wage Level III or IV, and your offer must meet the certified LCA wage before USCIS will approve the petition.
Confirm each worksite gets its own certified LCA
If your R&D role spans multiple facilities or labs, your employer must file a separate certified LCA for each worksite location. A single LCA covering only one site doesn't authorize H-1B work at unlisted locations, even temporarily.
Prepare a detailed specialty occupation support letter
Ask your employer to document why the Director of Research and Development role requires a specific degree field, not just any bachelor's. USCIS may issue an RFE for senior roles if the job description reads as general management rather than degree-specific technical leadership.
Account for extended USCIS processing when negotiating start dates
H-1B status is initially granted for up to three years and can extend to a six-year maximum. Build your start date negotiation around USCIS standard processing timelines and confirm whether your employer plans to file for premium processing to avoid gaps in your authorized work period.
H-1B Visa Director of Research and Development: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Director of Research and Development role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, the role typically qualifies. USCIS defines a specialty occupation as one requiring at minimum a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. R&D director positions inherently demand deep technical expertise in engineering, science, or a related discipline. Your employer's job description should emphasize the degree-specific knowledge required, not just general management responsibilities, to withstand USCIS review.
What documentation does an employer need to sponsor an R&D director for an H-1B?
The employer must file a certified Labor Condition Application with DOL, then submit Form I-129 to USCIS with supporting evidence that the role qualifies as a specialty occupation. For a Director of Research and Development, that evidence should include a detailed job description tying every core duty to degree-level technical knowledge, an organizational chart, and documentation of the employer's educational requirements for the position.
How do I find employers who regularly sponsor H-1B visas for Director of Research and Development roles?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history by occupation, so you can identify companies that have already certified positions at the Director of Research and Development level. This is more reliable than general job boards because it reflects actual DOL filings rather than self-reported sponsorship willingness, which many employers state inconsistently during hiring.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new R&D director role at a different company?
Yes, H-1B portability lets you start working for a new employer once they file an H-1B transfer petition, provided you're currently in valid H-1B status. The new employer must file a fresh LCA and I-129 specific to the new Director of Research and Development role and worksite. You don't need to restart the cap count, but the new role must independently qualify as a specialty occupation.
What happens if my R&D director role involves work at multiple company sites?
Each worksite where you perform H-1B work needs its own certified LCA reflecting the prevailing wage for that specific location. For R&D directors who oversee labs or teams across multiple facilities, your employer must anticipate this during the LCA filing stage. Working at an unlisted site, even briefly, can create a compliance violation that puts both you and your employer at risk.