R&D Product Development Specialist

Job Description
The R&D Product Development Specialist supports the development of new ideas and solutions through the R&D development cycle, from concept discovery and evaluation through feasibility testing, prototype coordination, and transition to production or implementation. The Specialist works cross-functionally with DPR's internal workgroups, Family of Companies entities, and external partners to help transform early ideas into validated, buildable solutions that align with business needs. This role emphasizes design collaboration, engineering coordination, and the application of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) principles to support product development efforts with a primary focus on prefab systems and components. Once R&D projects reach completion, this role supports the handoff process, ensuring they are effectively transitioned back into the business for potential implementation. This is a growth-oriented role designed for a motivated professional with strong communication skills, curiosity, and the ability to both facilitate and contribute to hands-on product development efforts.

Responsibilities
Development & Facilitation

• Facilitate the concept discovery and evaluation of new R&D ideas and support their advancement through the development process, from feasibility to design, testing, and market analysis, with attention to constructability, manufacturing efficiency, and DFMA principles.
• Support the handoff of R&D projects once they reach MVP stage, ensuring smooth transition into the business, whether through an internal workgroup, a Family of Companies entity, or an external partnership agreement.
• Facilitate workshops, such as design thinking, ideation, or concept development sessions, to support employees in refining ideas and exploring potential R&D solutions.
• Perform or coordinate market and feasibility analysis for R&D projects as needed, understanding project concepts, preparing reports, guiding others in research needs, and reviewing reports for completeness and gaps.
• Collaborate with engineers, designers, and technical experts to plan prototypes, evaluate design approaches, and coordinate testing and validation for solutions that support prefabrication and efficient assembly.
• Collaborate across the R&D development cycle, from defining project requirements to delivering validated designs ready for production or prefabrication.

Process, Tracking & Reporting

• Collaborate in designing, managing, and optimizing the R&D workflow to evaluate, prioritize, and track research and development projects across the DPR Family of Companies.
• Lead the yearly internal R&D tax credit documentation process in collaboration with the Corporate Tax Team and consultants, coordinating with all Family of Companies to ensure accurate capture and reporting of eligible R&D activities.
• Leverage new technologies and digital tools to improve efficiency and create user-friendly processes that make it easy for employees to engage with R&D.
• Prepare progress reports, track KPIs, and support data-driven insights to communicate R&D project outcomes, resource utilization, and overall program health to stakeholders.
• Support cost, budget, and documentation tracking for R&D projects.

Partnership & Collaboration

• Support cross-functional relationships with outside vendors, academic institutions, and research organizations that align with DPR's core values, business goals, objectives, and strategy.
• Partner with DPR workgroups (Construction Technology, Self Perform, Prefab, Operations, and others) to prioritize and align R&D projects with business needs, and once complete through the R&D process, prepare for effective handoff to the appropriate teams for implementation.
• Participate in Corporate team meetings, workshops and initiatives; will require travel outside of your region.
• Promote and lead a culture of Innovation within DPR's Family of Companies, building relationships with regional leadership, project teams, and craft personnel.

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance. Salary is just one component of DPR's total compensation package. Pay Range for Denver and Colorado Springs- $80,497 to $137,995
DPR Construction is a forward-thinking, self-performing general contractor specializing in technically complex and sustainable projects for the advanced technology, life sciences, healthcare, higher education and commercial markets. Founded in 1990, DPR is a great story of entrepreneurial success as a private, employee-owned company that has grown into a multi-billion-dollar family of companies with offices around the world.

Working at DPR, you'll have the chance to try new things, explore unique paths and shape your future. Here, we build opportunity together—by harnessing our talents, enabling curiosity and pursuing our collective ambition to make the best ideas happen. We are proud to be recognized as a great place to work by our talented teammates and leading news organizations like U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, Fast Company and Newsweek.

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