Senior Level Research And Development Engineer Jobs
Senior level research and development engineer jobs center on technical ownership, setting the direction of complex research programs, and guiding the teams that carry projects from concept through validation. Openings are concentrated across Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverage, and News & Publishing, with a mix of on-site, remote, and hybrid settings, and employers like AbbVie, Cambrex, and Click Bond hiring at this level now.
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Overview
The R&D Manager is responsible for leading and driving the research and development team for Kemin’s animal nutrition portfolio across Sub-Saharan Africa. The role is responsible for delivering innovative, science-based solutions that enhance animal health, feed efficiency, and customer performance, while ensuring alignment with global R&D strategy, regulatory requirements, and market needs.
Responsibilities
R& D strategy and innovation
- Develop and execute the regional R&D strategy aligned with Kemin’s global innovation priorities.
- Identify opportunities for new product development in feed safety, milling optimization, feed additives, premixes, and nutritional solutions.
- Monitor industry trends (e.g. feed efficiency, gut health, mycotoxin management) and competitor activity.
- Collaborate with global R&D teams on innovation pipelines and product adaptation for the SSA market.
Product development and localization
- Lead KSSA’s product innovation pipeline for continuous improvement of our product portfolio.
- Lead development, adaptation, and validation of products for local species and production systems (poultry, ruminants, swine, aquaculture where applicable).
- Oversee formulation, trial design, data analysis, and commercial readiness.
- Manage product lifecycle including reformulation, improvement, and discontinuation.
- Ensure scientific robustness and documentation to support product claims.
Trial management and scientific research
- Design and oversee in vivo and in vitro trials with research institutions, farms, and partners.
- Ensure trials meet scientific, statistical, ethical, and regulatory standards.
- Interpret trial results and convert data into actionable insights for commercial teams.
- Publish or present findings where appropriate to strengthen Kemin’s market credibility.
Leadership and team management
- Lead, coach, and develop the regional R&D team.
- Build strong scientific capability within the organisation.
- Support cross-functional knowledge transfer to commercial and technical services teams.
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
Regulatory, quality and compliance
- Ensure R&D activities comply with regulatory frameworks (e.g., feed additive regulations, registration requirements, applicable standards in SSA countries).
- Work closely with quality and regulatory affairs on product registration and claims substantiation.
- Maintain alignment with Kemin global standards, quality systems, and audit requirements.
- Ensure accurate, auditable documentation and data integrity.
Commercial and customer support
- Partner with commercial and technical services teams to support product positioning and differentiation.
- Translate technical data into customer-friendly value propositions.
- Support product launches, training, and customer trials.
Project and portfolio management
- Manage the R&D project portfolio, ensuring prioritisation aligned to business strategy.
- Track timelines, budgets, risks, and deliverables.
- Provide regular reporting and insights to regional and global leadership.
- Ensure efficient use of resources and return on R&D investment.
Qualifications
- MSc or PhD in Science (Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology or related field).
- 7–10 years’ experience in research and development.
- Proven track record of leading product development projects.
- Experience in a regulated environment (e.g., pharmaceutical, food, chemical, animal nutrition, manufacturing).
- Demonstrated people management and leadership experience.
Essential Skills
- Strong understanding of R&D processes and product development lifecycle.
- Familiarity with project management methodologies.
- Understanding of intellectual property and innovation practices.
- Awareness of industry trends and technological advancements.
- Strategic thinking and innovation leadership.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
- Leadership and team development skills.
- Effective stakeholder engagement and influencing.
- High attention to detail and quality orientation.
Overview
The R&D Manager is responsible for leading and driving the research and development team for Kemin’s animal nutrition portfolio across Sub-Saharan Africa. The role is responsible for delivering innovative, science-based solutions that enhance animal health, feed efficiency, and customer performance, while ensuring alignment with global R&D strategy, regulatory requirements, and market needs.
Responsibilities
R& D strategy and innovation
- Develop and execute the regional R&D strategy aligned with Kemin’s global innovation priorities.
- Identify opportunities for new product development in feed safety, milling optimization, feed additives, premixes, and nutritional solutions.
- Monitor industry trends (e.g. feed efficiency, gut health, mycotoxin management) and competitor activity.
- Collaborate with global R&D teams on innovation pipelines and product adaptation for the SSA market.
Product development and localization
- Lead KSSA’s product innovation pipeline for continuous improvement of our product portfolio.
- Lead development, adaptation, and validation of products for local species and production systems (poultry, ruminants, swine, aquaculture where applicable).
- Oversee formulation, trial design, data analysis, and commercial readiness.
- Manage product lifecycle including reformulation, improvement, and discontinuation.
- Ensure scientific robustness and documentation to support product claims.
Trial management and scientific research
- Design and oversee in vivo and in vitro trials with research institutions, farms, and partners.
- Ensure trials meet scientific, statistical, ethical, and regulatory standards.
- Interpret trial results and convert data into actionable insights for commercial teams.
- Publish or present findings where appropriate to strengthen Kemin’s market credibility.
Leadership and team management
- Lead, coach, and develop the regional R&D team.
- Build strong scientific capability within the organisation.
- Support cross-functional knowledge transfer to commercial and technical services teams.
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
Regulatory, quality and compliance
- Ensure R&D activities comply with regulatory frameworks (e.g., feed additive regulations, registration requirements, applicable standards in SSA countries).
- Work closely with quality and regulatory affairs on product registration and claims substantiation.
- Maintain alignment with Kemin global standards, quality systems, and audit requirements.
- Ensure accurate, auditable documentation and data integrity.
Commercial and customer support
- Partner with commercial and technical services teams to support product positioning and differentiation.
- Translate technical data into customer-friendly value propositions.
- Support product launches, training, and customer trials.
Project and portfolio management
- Manage the R&D project portfolio, ensuring prioritisation aligned to business strategy.
- Track timelines, budgets, risks, and deliverables.
- Provide regular reporting and insights to regional and global leadership.
- Ensure efficient use of resources and return on R&D investment.
Qualifications
- MSc or PhD in Science (Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology or related field).
- 7–10 years’ experience in research and development.
- Proven track record of leading product development projects.
- Experience in a regulated environment (e.g., pharmaceutical, food, chemical, animal nutrition, manufacturing).
- Demonstrated people management and leadership experience.
Essential Skills
- Strong understanding of R&D processes and product development lifecycle.
- Familiarity with project management methodologies.
- Understanding of intellectual property and innovation practices.
- Awareness of industry trends and technological advancements.
- Strategic thinking and innovation leadership.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
- Leadership and team development skills.
- Effective stakeholder engagement and influencing.
- High attention to detail and quality orientation.
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Food & Beverage
- News & Publishing
Senior Level Research And Development Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level research and development engineer job?
Employers at this level look for candidates who have moved beyond execution into leadership, specifically engineers who have owned full development cycles, shaped research roadmaps, and mentored junior engineers. A strong portfolio of shipped products, patents, or published research helps, as does demonstrated cross-functional influence. Tailoring your application to show technical depth and organizational impact gives you the clearest edge.
Which companies hire senior level research and development engineers?
Companies hiring senior level research and development engineers right now include AbbVie, Cambrex, and Click Bond, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Hiring at this level tends to come from established manufacturers, defense contractors, medical device firms, and technology companies that run dedicated R&D functions and need engineers who can lead them.
Are there remote senior level research and development engineer jobs?
Yes, though availability varies by industry, since many senior R&D roles require lab access or on-site collaboration. About 20% of senior level research and development engineer openings are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with hybrid arrangements being most common among employers in software-adjacent and systems engineering disciplines.
What makes a research and development engineer role senior level?
Senior level research and development engineer roles are defined by scope and ownership. Engineers at this stage set technical direction rather than execute tasks handed to them, lead multi-phase projects with real budget and timeline accountability, and are expected to mentor mid-level engineers. Deep specialization in a domain, the ability to evaluate and de-risk research approaches, and experience influencing product strategy are what separate senior from mid-level roles.
Which industries hire the most senior level research and development engineers?
Senior level research and development engineer roles concentrate in Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverage, and News & Publishing, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they rely on sustained, capital-intensive research programs that require experienced engineers to lead technical strategy and maintain competitive product pipelines.