How to hire a research and development program manager

How to hire a research and development program manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step research and development program manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a research and development program manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new research and development program manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a research and development program manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the research and development program manager you need to hire. Certain research and development program manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect research and development program manager also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of research and development program manager salaries for various roles:

   Type of Research And Development Program Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Research And Development Program Manager	Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies.	$41-75
   Engineering Supervisor	An engineering supervisor is responsible for monitoring the engineering operations of an organization, developing strategic processes and techniques to improve staff's performance, and facilitating training and programs to maximize productivity. Engineering supervisors evaluate technology procedures and reports to identify and design new opportunities that would generate more resources for revenues and profits... Show more	$34-62
   Engineering Director	An engineering director or director of engineering is a professional who manages a team of engineering managers and coordinates all the engineering activities within the organization. Engineering directors work closely with the organization's executives to develop new strategies to reduce unnecessary costs and time to complete their projects... Show more	$52-114

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • R
   • Project Management
   • Program Management
   • Portfolio
   • Product Development
   • FDA
   • Software Development
   • Medical Devices
   • Lifecycle Management
   • D Program
   • Solidworks
   • ISO
   • QA
   • Cycle Management

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage integration of acquire medical devices through FDA remediation and manufacturing transfer overseas.
   • Manage electronics, software and mechanical engineers responsible for the development of the electromechanical system and disposable treatment catheters.
   • Prepare guidance documents for products meeting FDA, IEC, CSA, ISO regulatory requirements.
   • Establish clear project scope and prioritization for the company's development project portfolio.
   • Develop innovative business proposal and technology roadmap to consolidate international product lines and establish a product platform for future growth.
   • Eliminate costs associate with replicate graphics resources by developing and evangelizing a platform independent API for use by all departments.

   More research and development program manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the research and development program manager job description is a good way to get more applicants. A research and development program manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a research and development program manager in Iowa may be lower than in Connecticut, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level research and development program manager. Additionally, a research and development program manager with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average research and development program manager salary

   $116,594yearly

   $56.05 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level research and development program manager salary

   $86,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

   Average research and development program manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$131,946	$63
   2	Nevada	$130,298	$63
   3	Wisconsin	$127,954	$62
   4	New Jersey	$126,933	$61
   5	Washington	$122,276	$59
   6	Texas	$118,101	$57
   7	Illinois	$117,499	$56
   8	Pennsylvania	$117,058	$56
   9	New Hampshire	$111,455	$54
   10	Massachusetts	$111,231	$53
   11	Virginia	$107,041	$51
   12	Georgia	$107,028	$51
   13	Colorado	$106,445	$51
   14	Michigan	$100,934	$49
   15	New York	$100,007	$48
   16	Arizona	$98,873	$48
   17	District of Columbia	$98,353	$47

   Average research and development program manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Zoox	$133,330	$64.10	35
   2	General Electric	$125,811	$60.49	111
   3	Amazon	$125,439	$60.31	478
   4	Axient	$123,264	$59.26
   5	Commonwealth Fusion Systems	$122,261	$58.78	2
   6	BD	$121,702	$58.51	12
   7	NW Services Corporation	$121,622	$58.47
   8	Microsoft	$121,370	$58.35	285
   9	Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.	$121,193	$58.27	48
   10	American Museum of Natural History	$120,714	$58.04	3
   11	HP	$119,102	$57.26	29
   12	Deloitte	$118,889	$57.16	299
   13	Clario	$118,222	$56.84
   14	Lone Star Analysis	$117,813	$56.64
   15	BAE Systems	$116,485	$56.00	216
   16	Baxter International	$115,479	$55.52	1
   17	Massachusetts Eye and Ear	$113,810	$54.72	126
   18	Brigham and Women's Hospital	$111,012	$53.37	125
   19	ARRIS	$109,934	$52.85
   20	West Pharmaceutical Services	$105,680	$50.81	5

4. Writing a research and development program manager job description

   A research and development program manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a research and development program manager job description:

   Research and development program manager job description example

   The Program Management Office (PMO) at Zoox supports some of the company's most complex, cross-functional decisions and programs. When needed, members of the PMO will roll up their sleeves and work hand in hand with engineering and operations to solve issues that arise.
   
   We pride ourselves on our ability to take complexity and translate that into meaningful actions and high-quality, timely decisions. We have a strong track record of helping the organization execute more effectively across a number of different programs and initiatives. We do this through clear thinking, problem-solving, implementing improved operational measures, and influencing and coaching tactics. The Vehicle & Site Operations team in PMO is responsible for enabling the development and validation of our products. The team works closely with internal and external stakeholders to plan and execute towards company goals. We are looking for an R&D Operations Program Manager to oversee holistic testing operations, focusing on smooth operational execution, organizational interaction (presentations, escalations, etc.), and efficiency of testing. This role manages relationships with proving grounds, equipment providers, and other testing asset suppliers, while internally aligning stakeholders for the readiness and execution of pre-service testing activities on close-courses and at future service sites.
   
   ResponsibilitiesYou will manage projects and assets where consistent decisions are made regarding the overall goals and objectives of significant programs.You will partner closely with our Fleet Operations program management team to set the direction for R&D Operations, by determining and balancing the technical need vs business impact and supply challenges of resources, operating within the budget, quality metrics, and guardrails set by senior leadership at Zoox.You will support the testing schedule and coordinate resources to achieve tester goals from across the company. You will manage interdependencies and integration among multiple programs, teams and stakeholders; being a key interface with stakeholders and leadership. You will have decision-making authority at the program level for making priority calls, and escalating when necessary.You will manage the relationships with external providers including, but not limited to, proving grounds and test equipment suppliers.You will represent R&D Operations, including stakeholders, in program meetings, where you are expected to create a meaningful story using data that drives improvement.You will exercise judgment and discretion to develop solutions to remove obstacles and redefine approaches for Zoox product testing.You will assess risks and identify solutions to timely and efficient achievement of program goals. You will ensure that quality standards and budget constraints are met and propose remedial actions to get programs back on track.You must understand or strive to learn the technical concepts, architecture, or systems development methods and disciplines associated with the Zoox product.
   
   QualificationsBS degree in engineering or business management discipline or equivalent experience.At least 5 years of experience in engineering, program management, or management consulting.Experience with scheduling and coordinating of assets.An ability to keep the big picture in focus and to provide clear, well-structured, and concise communications tailored to each appropriate audience.Excellent written, presentation and verbal communication skills are a must, ability to create visualizations of KPIs and program risks a bonus
   
   Bonus QualificationsIn-depth experience with system architecture, safety-critical systems, corporate strategy, and/or test & validation.Previous technical program management roles.Product development experience at a car company or a Tier 1 auto OEM. Strong track record in managing complex cross-functional projects or facilities.Excellent computer skills.Ability to effectively prioritize with strong time management skills in a fast-paced environment.Strong interpersonal skills, able to develop channels of communication while understanding and managing professional relationships Ability to drive communication within a high-performance, cross-functional organization with extremely tight timelines, aggressive goals, and a demanding work environment Have an inquisitive and open attitude to exploring new ideas and eagerness to continuously learn and take on tough problems Independent thinker capable of operating within ambiguously defined structures with an ability for delivering tangible results Ability to perform in a fast pace high-stress environment Willingness to get involved with all aspects of the project you are supporting, inclusive of practical, tactical, and strategic.
   Vaccine Mandate
   
   Employees working in this position will be required to have received a single dose of the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine OR have completed the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series. In addition, employees will be required to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine by the earlier of (1) April 15 or (2) within two months of becoming eligible for the booster vaccine.
   
   Employees will be required to show proof of vaccination status upon receipt of a conditional offer of employment. That offer of employment will be conditioned upon, among other things, an Applicant's ability to show proof of vaccination status. Please note the Company provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable state, federal, and local laws.
   
   About Zoox
   
   Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We're looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.
   
   Follow us on LinkedIn
   
   A Final Note:
   You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find research and development program managers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any research and development program managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level research and development program managers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your research and development program manager job on Zippia to find and recruit research and development program manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with research and development program manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new research and development program manager

   Once you've found the research and development program manager candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new research and development program manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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