Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Research and development program manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

7 min read

Quoted experts

Yi Yang PhD,

Angela Sebby Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical research and development program manager skills. We ranked the top skills for research and development program managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 17.3% of research and development program manager resumes contained r as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a research and development program manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 research and development program manager skills for your resume and career

1. R

R is a free software environment and a language used by programmers for statistical computing. The R programming language is famously used for data analysis by data scientists.

Here's how research and development program managers use r:

Helped win the company's largest R &D Federal contract at DHS (CanScan - Domestic Nuclear Detection Office).
Develop and streamline R code for data evaluation and statistical analyses performed on data collected from experiments and from outside sources.

2. Project Management

Here's how research and development program managers use project management:

Project Management Developed and implemented strategies to manage increasing volume of tests and streamlined progress tracking.
Provide methodology and product development enhancements to Aristocrat s project management and development resources worldwide.

3. Program Management

Here's how research and development program managers use program management:

Provide program management services for research and development candidate programs.
Program management of product development of color LaserJet products.

4. Portfolio

Here's how research and development program managers use portfolio:

Developed a new material substrate platform which has technical and financial impact beyond my product portfolio responsibilities.
Subject matter expertise on project pipeline management and coordination with other Portfolio teams, Engineering and Operations.

5. Product Development

Product development is the complete procedure of creating a product from concept until release of the final product. Product development has many stages after which a product is released into the market. Identifying the need, creating the opportunity, conceptualizing a product, and providing a solution, all are different stages of product development.

Here's how research and development program managers use product development:

Reduced product development cycles from 9 to 5 months by implementing standardized development methodology, mentoring and coaching manufacturing team members.
Developed and coordinated a streamlined product development documentation requirements and approval process resulting in faster product development cycle.

6. FDA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services that regulates the production and sale of food, pharmaceutical products, medical equipment, and other consumer goods, as well as veterinary medicine. The FDA is now in charge of overseeing the manufacture of products like vaccines, allergy treatments, and beauty products.

Here's how research and development program managers use fda:

Lead development of Class ll medical devices in accordance with FDA and QSR requirements.
Lead a nation wide remediation effort to address FDA concerns regarding the safety of medical device.

7. Software Development

Software development is the mechanism by which programmers create computer programs. The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a framework for developing applications that follow technological needs and consumer requirements. It consists of many stages. The SDLC establishes an international standard that software developers can use to enhance and create their programs. It provides a well-defined framework for software developers to pursue in the production, maintenance, and design of premium quality software. The aim of the software development process is to create high-quality software on time and within budget.

Here's how research and development program managers use software development:

Served as subject matter expert for the advanced technology database software development.
Contributed to group software development.

8. Medical Devices

Medical devices refer to apparatus for use in medical procedures.

Here's how research and development program managers use medical devices:

Signed off on product and process validation for medical devices to ensure compliance with cGMP standards.
Provided leadership to cross-functional teams developing innovative medical devices and accessory products, meeting customer needs.

9. Lifecycle Management

Here's how research and development program managers use lifecycle management:

Lead Operations NPI/Lifecycle management for all assigned programs by working with departments Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Advanced Process Engineering & Quality.
Created mobile web application for internal Product Lifecycle Management tool.

10. D Program

Here's how research and development program managers use d program:

Briefed program financial and technical status using Earned Value Management to all levels of Boeing management and to internal customer organizations.
Developed strategy and executed programs to enable DuPont to achieve business impact through university collaborations.

11. Solidworks

Here's how research and development program managers use solidworks:

Designed new sterilization tray in SolidWorks.
Design, details and assemblies of machined, fabricated and molded components using ACAD and SolidWorks.

12. ISO

Here's how research and development program managers use iso:

Assisted with the development and implementation of the company Quality system (GMP/QSR)which led to ISO 13485 certification.
Managed continues improvement, process development, ISO 9001 audits, Quality, QMS, PDLC and SDLC projects and roadmap.

13. QA

QA, or Quality Assurance is a procedure that entails all of the steps taken to avoid any errors in the manufacturing process or in the production of the goods that a company produces. It can also include ensuring the consistency of the services rendered. Quality assurance ensures that the quality of the service delivered to consumers meets or exceeds the promised expectations. This greatly aids in the prevention of any complications that might arise after the goods or services have been distributed. It makes sure that customers are satisfied.

Here's how research and development program managers use qa:

Developed Quality Management System and organization from ground zero, including Project QA time estimation and process-improvement identification and tracking.
Formulated and defined scope and objectives including requirements documentation, project specifications, QA acceptance criteria and risk assessments.

14. Cycle Management

Here's how research and development program managers use cycle management:

Developed and implemented functional solutions supporting product lifecycle management objectives and values.
Develop standard operating SOPs for device development and product life cycle management with verification and validation including software.

15. Catheter

Here's how research and development program managers use catheter:

Managed the R&D team that had responsibility for balloon catheter development.
Worked with Extrusion Engineers to established production requirements of over 30 different types of extrusions used in catheter manufacturing.

What skills help Research And Development Program Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What research and development program manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Yi Yang PhD

Associate Professor, Pennsylvania State University - Abington

In the next 3-5 years, I believe management skills will become increasingly important. Engineers who can bridge the gap between technical complexity and business strategy, driving innovation and growth in their organizations will be very valuable.

What technical skills for a research and development program manager stand out to employers?

Angela Sebby Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Western Carolina University

Business, creative, and organizational skills - I would recommend that upcoming graduates are proficient in Word, Excel (highly used), Powerpoint, Outlook (especially how to send meeting requests and calendar organization), TEAMS, Gantt charts for team management, Mindmapping for creativity, and design software. Additionally, I would recommend that they learn how to properly utilize social media for marketing and PR, not just personal posting. Finally, email etiquette would be essential.

What soft skills should all research and development program managers possess?

TeWhan Hahn Ph.D.

Professor of Finance, Auburn University at Montgomery

Writing skills including email writing, being able to work in teams, and knowing the workplace etiquettes.

What hard/technical skills are most important for research and development program managers?

Donald Yeung

Professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Education, Affiliate Professor, Computer Science Department, University of Maryland - College Park

In terms of hard technical skills, I believe the courses students take along with their GPA in these courses is one level of demonstration. (As I mentioned above, employers know about our program probably down to specific courses, and so if someone gets an A+ in some notoriously challenging course, that's probably known and appreciated). Some employers will give technical interviews and require students to solve problems on their feet. But I think most employers will judge this based on a student's transcript.

Do you want to know more?

List of research and development program manager skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a research and development program manager resume and required skills for a research and development program manager to have include:

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

PMO
Technical Support
Development Programs
Roadmap
Critical Path
Product Management
Direct Reports
Intellectual Property
Product Line
Research Projects
DOE
DOD
Executive Management
NPI
Technology Development
Sigma

Resource Allocation
DFMEA
ROI
Earned Value Management
Design Reviews
Infrastructure
Risk Management
Business Development
RF
Data Collection
Process Improvement
OEM
Upper Level Management
Customer Support

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Zippia Careers
Executive Management Industry
Research And Development Program Manager
Research And Development Program Manager Skills

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs