Senior Level Research Specialist Jobs
Senior level research specialist jobs place experienced professionals in charge of complex study design, cross-functional project leadership, and the analytical frameworks their organizations rely on for strategic decisions. Roles are concentrated across Energy, Retail, and Science & Research, with a mix of on-site, hybrid, and remote opportunities, and employers like Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, RH, and Aramco Americas Company hiring at this level now.
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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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Senior Level Research Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level research specialist job?
Employers hiring at the senior level look for candidates who can independently design and execute research programs, not just contribute to them. A strong application demonstrates ownership of past projects, fluency in both qualitative and quantitative methods, and evidence of influencing decisions at an organizational level. Publishing, presenting findings to leadership, or mentoring junior staff all signal readiness for this stage.
Which companies hire senior level research specialists?
Companies hiring senior level research specialists right now include Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, RH, and Aramco Americas Company, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level tends to come from large research institutions, health systems, consulting firms, and technology companies that maintain dedicated in-house research functions.
Are there remote senior level research specialist jobs?
Yes, remote and hybrid options are well represented at this level. About 0% of senior level research specialist openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how data-driven and documentation-heavy this work tends to be. Fully on-site roles are more common where lab access, participant interaction, or secure data environments are required.
What makes a research specialist role senior level?
Senior level research specialist roles are defined by scope and accountability. Where mid-level roles involve executing a defined methodology, senior roles require designing the approach, setting quality standards, and owning the outcome from start to finish. Mentoring junior researchers, presenting findings to executives or external stakeholders, and integrating research insights into broader strategy are all expected at this stage.
Which industries hire the most senior level research specialists?
Senior Level research specialist roles concentrate in Energy, Retail, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors rely heavily on original research to inform product development, policy decisions, clinical outcomes, or competitive strategy, which drives sustained demand for senior-level expertise.