How to hire a research and development project manager

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

Here's a step-by-step research and development project 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 project 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 project manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a research and development project manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the research and development project manager you need to hire. Certain research and development project 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

   A research and development project manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, research and development project managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

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

   Type of Research And Development Project Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Research And Development Project Manager	Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies.	$32-69
   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 Operations Manager	Engineering Operations Managers are responsible for managing mechanical or electrical repair and maintenance activities. Their duties include supervising the facility's daily operations, directing engineers, contractors, and subcontractors in executing a project, forecasting maintenance, and operation costs, preparing an annual budget, and leading strategic sourcing initiatives... Show more	$45-76

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • R
   • Project Management
   • Product Development
   • Medical Devices
   • Portfolio
   • D Project
   • Development Projects
   • FDA
   • Project Scope
   • Lifecycle Management
   • Design Control
   • PowerPoint
   • ISO
   • Cycle Management

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage Linux/Apache server configuration for company version control and bug tracking, creating PHP/MySQL database on server for product specification library.
   • Prepare, organize, and review paperwork for lot release in accordance with FDA, USP, and ISO standards.
   • Comply with MFi, ISO 13485 and partner with FitLinxx (CSAFE), Netpulse (NetpulseOne) and LiveStrong.
   • Select the PLC, HMI and instrument requirements for projects.
   • Develop scope and estimate for PLC applications and DCS expansions.
   • Image creation of AutoCAD workstations-Roll out new versions-configure AutoCAD standards.

   More research and development project manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your research and development project manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A research and development project manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, research and development project managers' average salary in hawaii is 43% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level research and development project managers earn 53% less than senior-level research and development project managers.
   • Certifications. A research and development project manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a research and development project manager's salary.

   Average research and development project manager salary

   $98,808yearly

   $47.50 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level research and development project manager salary

   $67,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average research and development project manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$133,791	$64
   2	New York	$111,675	$54
   3	Massachusetts	$106,634	$51
   4	Minnesota	$98,827	$48
   5	New Jersey	$96,567	$46
   6	Pennsylvania	$91,398	$44
   7	North Carolina	$91,091	$44
   8	Utah	$88,552	$43
   9	Michigan	$88,079	$42
   10	Texas	$87,261	$42
   11	Indiana	$87,141	$42
   12	Illinois	$86,296	$41
   13	Washington	$84,781	$41
   14	Kansas	$75,980	$37
   15	Florida	$73,951	$36

   Average research and development project manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	The Walt Disney Company	$169,244	$81.37	43
   2	Apple	$154,922	$74.48	172
   3	Koch Industries	$134,726	$64.77	1
   4	Parsons	$129,660	$62.34	133
   5	PlayStation	$126,606	$60.87
   6	SAS Institute	$123,106	$59.19	15
   7	Biogen	$122,544	$58.92	2
   8	Nokia	$121,994	$58.65	20
   9	HERE Holding Corporation	$119,951	$57.67
   10	Edwards Lifesciences	$118,671	$57.05	39
   11	Medline	$118,361	$56.90	10
   12	Datacolor	$117,639	$56.56
   13	AstraZeneca	$117,617	$56.55	9
   14	Bosch USA	$116,518	$56.02	25
   15	Ericsson	$114,807	$55.20
   16	Agilent Technologies	$114,153	$54.88	3
   17	Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.	$114,139	$54.87
   18	Hospira	$112,197	$53.94
   19	Welch Allyn	$111,109	$53.42
   20	Philips Healthcare	$110,915	$53.32	1

4. Writing a research and development project manager job description

   A good research and development project manager job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a research and development project manager job description:

   Research and development project manager job description example

   Create a better future
   Do you want to make a difference in the world and contribute to a sustainable future?
   We believe we can develop the technology and gain the know-how to make that difference, tackling the climate challenge. It's a big responsibility, and we have committed to do it. We have launched our ambition, MissionZero - enabling our customers to move towards zero emissions in mining and cement. We need your skills, curiosity and drive for change to fulfil our goal. Together, we enable our customers to produce the materials needed for a better future.
   
   Job Responsibilities
   To collaborate with Global Service Line Management to execute R&D projects for aftermarket products and services, with special focus on polymers.Apply technical engineering knowledge and experience to understand project objectives and prepare requirement specifications.Perform project planning activities by ensuring accurate and realistic estimates are provided to the R&D leadership and other stakeholders,. May require agile or adaptive planning throughout the overall project life cycle.Executes R&D projects by ensuring that discrete development stages are clearly defined throughout the project lifecycle in a cross-functional project organization, ensuring task and stage completion, schedule and budget performance, while following the requirements established in R&D quality and process documentation.Participates in project portfolio and program management activities by providing accurate and timely input and estimates in support to the R&D & Global Service Line Management.
   
   What You Bring
   Master's degree in either mechanical engineering, tool and die design or polymers.5+ years of experience in design of open cast and injection mould tooling for poly components preferable Experience with latest technologies in tool design / tooling like additive manufacturing, vacuum moulding / casting, thermoforming, etc.Good knowledge in polymer chemistry Working experience on circularity / sustainability initiatives like recycling / downcycling of polymers and its reinforcements while establishing and retaining partnerships for technology acquisition and with segregators, recyclers, foundries, etc. for service delivery Ability to interface with internal and external customers, project teams and all levels of management in a global, culturally diverse environment Fluency in English is required Spanish: fluent Use of MS-Project, SharePoint, and other collaboration tools
   
   What We Offer
   Options available for working from home Health insurance for employees and their immediate families
   
   “Esta oferta laboral se rige bajo la Ley Nº 21.015 que incentiva la inclusión de personas con discapacidad al mundo laboral.”
   FLSmidth is the leading supplier of engineering, equipment and service solutions to customers in the mining and cement industries - for more information please visit FLSmidth.com/careers

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find research and development project managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit research and development project managers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up 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 project manager

   Once you have selected a candidate for the research and development project manager position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new research and development project manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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