What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Research & Development (R&D) position at flir?
Be visionary Teledyne Technologies Incorporated provides enabling technologies for industrial growth markets that require advanced technology and high reliability. These markets include aerospace and defense, factory automation, air and water quality environmental monitoring, electronics design and development, oceanographic research, deepwater oil and gas exploration and production, medical imaging and pharmaceutical research. We are looking for individuals who thrive on making an impact and want the excitement of being on a team that wins. Job Description Director of Research & Development (R&D) Location: Andrimont (Liège), Belgium Reports to: General Manager Member of the Management Team About the Role We are looking for an R&D Director who combines strategic vision with hands‑on leadership. This person will shape the future of our technologies while ensuring our innovation projects run smoothly, efficiently, and deliver real value to the market. You will work at the crossroads of technology, product management, engineering, manufacturing, and customer expectations. What You Will Do Build and Lead Our R&D Strategy Define the long‑term R&D vision with the Product Management team. Transform this vision into a clear, realistic, and achievable technology and product roadmap. Make sure R&D priorities directly support Teledyne ICM’s growth and innovation goals. Drive Innovation & New Product Development Lead the creation of new products, technology improvements, and enhancements to existing solutions. Explore new technologies and identify opportunities for innovation. Encourage a culture of experimentation, creativity, and problem‑solving. Manage R&D Projects from A to Z Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of R&D projects. Ensure each project stays on scope, on budget, and on schedule. Monitor risks, challenges, and resource needs—and act quickly to keep projects on track. Lead & Grow the R&D Team Manage a team of ~10 talented engineers and technicians. Coach, support, and develop the team so they can perform at their best. Manage R&D budgets and allocate resources where they create the most impact. Collaborate Across the Company Work closely with Marketing, Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Service teams. Ensure R&D outputs truly meet market needs, customer expectations, and industrialization requirements. Support smooth transitions between R&D, production engineering, and manufacturing. Stay Ahead of Technology Trends Monitor technology advancements, competitors, and market movements. Identify potential risks and opportunities before they reach the market. Build External Partnerships Develop strong relationships with universities, research centers, suppliers, and other Teledyne business units. Lead joint research programs and open‑innovation initiatives when relevant. What You Bring Experience 15 years of progressive R&D experience in high‑tech or engineering fields. A solid track record in: Leading complex R&D programs Delivering successful product launches Managing cross‑functional technical teams Driving ideas from concept to market Background & Skills Degree in Engineering Broad experience with hardware development (electronics, HV, mechanics, embedded software, etc.). Strong project management and prioritization abilities. A collaborative mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to influence across teams. Fluency in English; French is a strong advantage. Teledyne and all of our employees are committed to conducting business with the highest ethical standards. We require all employees to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, rules and regulatory orders. Our reputation for honesty, integrity and high ethics is as important to us as our reputation for making innovative sensing solutions. . You may not realize it, but Teledyne enables many of the products and services you use every day. Teledyne provides enabling technologies to sense, transmit and analyze information for industrial growth markets, including aerospace and defense, factory automation, air and water quality environmental monitoring, electronics design and development, oceanographic research, energy, medical imaging and pharmaceutical research.