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What does a research and development project manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read

It is the responsibility of a research and development manager to research, plan, and implement new protocols and programs into their organization. Research and development managers supervise research and the development of new knowledge-based products. They create research programs that incorporate existing developments for product improvement. To become a research and development manager, one needs research experience, skills in research and development projects, and work experience in the industry.

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Research and development project manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real research and development project manager resumes:

  • 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.
  • Purify water system, hvac, compress air, others).
  • Train and certify as an internal auditor for ISO 9002 and ISO 14000.
  • Respond to FDA inquiries regarding medical device reports with preparation of appropriate trending data and details of corrective action plans.
  • Perform QA system testing ensuring acceptable product performance.
  • Manage Linux/Apache server configuration for company version control and bug tracking, creating PHP/MySQL database on server for product specification library.
  • Lead in the characterization of proprietary biomarkers and their development into molecular diagnostics while following cGLP guidelines.

Research and development project manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Research And Development Project Managers are proficient in R, Project Management, and Product Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Math skills, and Analytical skills.

We break down the percentage of Research And Development Project Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • R, 15%

    Helped win the company's largest R &D Federal contract at DHS (CanScan - Domestic Nuclear Detection Office).

  • Project Management, 15%

    Administered project management principles and procedures for various aspects of a six-phase new product development process.

  • Product Development, 7%

    Participated in innovation sessions, generating ideas / concepts; addressing unmet consumer needs and driving future product development.

  • Medical Devices, 7%

    Fracture and stress analysis testing on implantable medical devices using BOSE Electroforce 3200 load frame and Wintest Software

  • Portfolio, 5%

    Oversee design, development and construction of proprietary tooling that enabled enhancing product portfolio.

  • D Project, 4%

    Managed collaborative, inter-company R&D projects for new manufacturing technologies including water jet machining and factory network protocols.

Common skills that a research and development project manager uses to do their job include "r," "project management," and "product development." You can find details on the most important research and development project manager responsibilities below.

Math skills. Many research and development project manager duties rely on math skills. "architectural and engineering managers use calculus and other mathematics to develop new products and processes.," so a research and development project manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways research and development project manager responsibilities rely on math skills: "direct corporate qualitative and quantitative market research programs key accomplishments:. "

Analytical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of research and development project managers is analytical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday research and development project manager duties, as "architectural and engineering managers evaluate information to solve problems." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "responded to fda inquiries regarding medical device reports with preparation of appropriate trending data and details of corrective action plans. "

Communication skills. For certain research and development project manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of a research and development project manager rely on this skill, as "architectural and engineering managers must effectively convey information and expectations related to projects." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what research and development project managers do: "identified, developed, and implemented process improvements that improved communications and efficiencies. "

Organizational skills. Another crucial skill for a research and development project manager to carry out their responsibilities is "organizational skills." A big part of what research and development project managers relies on this skill, since "architectural and engineering managers keep track of many workers, schedules, and budgets simultaneously." How this skill relates to research and development project manager duties can be seen in an example from a research and development project manager resume snippet: "identify best-in-class industry product development partners, establish business relationships, and negotiate development contracts to enhance organizational and portfolio excellence. "

See the full list of research and development project manager skills

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Compare different research and development project managers

Research and development project manager vs. 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. They also meet with clients and handle their business requirements and specifications, informing them of other services that the company offers. An engineering supervisor resolves project complaints and implements business plans to achieve high-quality deliverables.

If we compare the average research and development project manager annual salary with that of an engineering supervisor, we find that engineering supervisors typically earn a $1,273 lower salary than research and development project managers make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between research and development project managers and engineering supervisors are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like r, project management, and product development.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, research and development project manager responsibilities require skills like "medical devices," "portfolio," "d project," and "development projects." Meanwhile a typical engineering supervisor has skills in areas such as "hvac," "plumbing," "preventive maintenance," and "customer service." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Engineering supervisors earn the highest salaries when working in the automotive industry, with an average yearly salary of $114,222. On the other hand, research and development project managers are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $112,357.On average, engineering supervisors reach lower levels of education than research and development project managers. Engineering supervisors are 9.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 3.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Research and development project manager vs. 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. Other duties include training staff, working with the human resource team to plan development initiatives, and processing payment applications, orders, invoices, and change requests. An Engineering Operations Manager also conducts procedures for contract bidding of maintenance activities. They are essential in facilitating communication between teams in engineering and operations.

A career as a engineering operations manager brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a research and development project manager. In fact, engineering operations managers salary is $23,874 higher than the salary of research and development project managers per year.A few skills overlap for research and development project managers and engineering operations managers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "r," "project management," and "product development. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real research and development project manager resumes. While research and development project manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "medical devices," "portfolio," "d project," and "development projects," engineering operations managers use skills like "engineering operations," "linux," "hvac," and "plumbing."

Engineering operations managers earn a higher average salary than research and development project managers. But engineering operations managers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $123,284. Additionally, research and development project managers earn the highest salaries in the professional with average pay of $112,357 annually.In general, engineering operations managers achieve lower levels of education than research and development project managers. They're 6.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 3.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Research and development project manager vs. Vice president of engineering

A Vice President Of Engineering manages all aspects of the company's engineering product development activities. They are responsible for strategic planning, production designing, quality assurance, and problem resolution.

On average, vice presidents of engineering earn higher salaries than research and development project managers, with a $51,843 difference per year.By looking over several research and development project managers and vice presidents of engineering resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "r," "project management," and "product development." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from research and development project manager resumes include skills like "medical devices," "portfolio," "d project," and "development projects," whereas a vice president of engineering is more likely to list skills in "architecture," "cloud," "infrastructure," and "java. "

Vice presidents of engineering earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $141,200. Research and development project managers earn the highest pay from the professional industry, with an average salary of $112,357.Most vice presidents of engineering achieve a similar degree level compared to research and development project managers. For example, they're 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Research and development project manager vs. Manufacturing engineering manager

Manufacturing engineering managers manage manufacturing process development and enforcement. The managers maintain the proper functionality of a product and the efficiency of cost. They ensure the cohesive work between manufacturing departments and the engineering team. Their main responsibility is to design and operate integrated systems for economically competitive and high-quality products. They need to have skills in teamwork, technical knowledge, information technology, and commercial awareness. It is also necessary for them to have strong leadership skills.

Manufacturing engineering managers tend to earn a higher pay than research and development project managers by an average of $13,727 per year.According to resumes from research and development project managers and manufacturing engineering managers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "r," "project management," and "product development. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A research and development project manager uses "medical devices," "portfolio," "d project," and "development projects." Manufacturing engineering managers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "continuous improvement," "lean manufacturing," "sigma," and "product quality. "In general, manufacturing engineering managers earn the most working in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $135,554. The highest-paying industry for a research and development project manager is the professional industry.The average resume of manufacturing engineering managers showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to research and development project managers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 5.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 3.9%.

Types of research and development project manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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