R&D Manager

POSITION PURPOSE

• Manage all R&D activities in furniture OEM/millwork factory
• Develop new products that meet customer requirements and optimize production costs
• Research and apply new materials and technologies to production
• Develop veneer engineering techniques and special lacquer effects
• Optimize production processes and manage technical documentation
• Lead R&D team and serve as technical bridge between departments

SCOPE OF WORK / RESPONSIBLITIES

1. New Product Development - NPD (20%)

• Receive and analyze briefs, technical and aesthetic requirements from customers
• Deploy detailed 2D/3D drawings, BOM, structure, and assembly instructions
• Manage entire process: prototype → pilot run → mass production
• Control and thoroughly resolve technical errors at all development stages
• Ensure products align with production technology and cost optimization

2. Traditional Materials Research (15%)

• Solid Wood: Check moisture content, stability, warping, cracking; propose finger-joint, lamination, edge-glue structures
• Panel Materials (MDF/HDF/PB/Plywood): Evaluate density, screw holding, flatness, coating capability; check CARB/EPA/E1 environmental standards
• Finishing: Test adhesion, hardness, scratch resistance, moisture resistance; optimize sanding – sealer – topcoat process
• Test and evaluate material suitability for each product line

3. Veneer Engineering (20%)

• Veneer on MDF/PB/HDF: Establish UF/PVA/PUR adhesive parameters, heat-pressure-time; control telegraphing, blistering, edge delamination during CNC
• Veneer on Solid Wood: Design cross-banding, balancing veneer to prevent cracking; control moisture, grain direction, and core stability
• Veneer on Metal (steel/aluminum): Surface treatment sandblast, primer; test PUR/Epoxy/PSA bonding; check thermal expansion
• Veneer on Plywood/Plastic/Composite: Control telegraphing; veneer on honeycomb, WPC, foamboard; optimize veneer thickness by substrate

4. Hardware & Structure (10%)

• Benchmark and test hinges, drawer slides, connectors, KD fittings
• Conduct durability tests: 10,000–50,000 cycles, load capacity, smoothness
• Design joinery: dowel, mortise & tenon, dovetail, pocket hole
• Design hybrid wood-metal structures per ANSI/BIFMA/EN standards
• Optimize reinforcement and screw placement positions

5. Production Process Optimization - Process R&D (10%)

• Research and optimize CNC: routing, drilling, nesting
• Optimize sanding according to roughness and machinery
• Standardize veneer – laminate – finishing processes
• Design jigs and fixtures to increase productivity and reduce errors

6. New Materials Research & Application (10%)

• Source new materials: engineered veneer, next-gen laminates, composites, eco-friendly materials
• Collect and evaluate samples from US – EU – Japan – China markets
• Technical testing: CNC, sanding, finishing, bonding, durability, stability tests
• Propose new material applications to increase value or reduce costs
• Execute prototype – semi production – pilot run for evaluation

7. Lacquer Effect Development (5%)

• Research and test new effects: metallic, crackle, pearl, marble, deep matte, high gloss
• Design layering systems and special effect techniques
• Test adhesion, hardness, flatness, moisture resistance, scratch resistance
• Build standard production processes ensuring consistency between batches
• Develop lacquer effect library for customers and internal use

8. Technical Documentation Management (5%)

• Control technical drawings, BOM, assembly instructions, SOPs
• Build material – hardware – veneer – lacquer library
• Ensure documentation synchronization and standards before production transfer
• Update and manage technical document version control

9. R&D Team Management (5%)

• Manage R&D engineers, draftsmen, sample makers
• Train on materials – veneer – lacquer – structure – processes
• Manage timelines, assign work, evaluate performance
• Build and develop team capabilities