R&D Director at Odessa Separator Inc – Odessa, Texas

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Odessa Separator Inc. (OSI) is a West Texas–based manufacturing and oilfield services company supporting upstream operations across the Permian Basin and beyond. We design, build, refurbish, and service production equipment with a strong focus on safety, quality, and reliable execution. OSI is a values-driven organization where accountability, consistency, and continuous improvement matter, and where employees are trusted to take ownership, contribute ideas, and grow. We’re building a team of dependable, motivated professionals who want to do meaningful work and be part of a company built for long-term success.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Research & Development (R&D) Director exists to aggressively turn vision into manufacturable advantage. This role converts ideas into real-world products that win in the field, improve cost and performance, and strengthen OSI’s competitive edge.

This leader operates with a strong affinity for intelligent failure and continuous learning. Failure is not avoided. It is used. The expectation is fast experimentation, honest evaluation, and rapid improvement. Ideas are tested quickly, lessons are captured, and decisions are made decisively, either to advance, refine, or kill the concept. Speed, clarity, and disciplined learning define success in this role.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Product Design & Development

• Translate owner vision, market demands, and field intelligence into clear R&D priorities and executable product roadmaps
• Lead end-to-end product development from concept, design, and prototyping through testing, validation, and production readiness
• Ensure all designs are manufacturable, serviceable, and aligned with OSI’s operational capabilities and cost targets
• Apply strong mechanical reasoning to challenge assumptions, simplify designs, and improve reliability and performance

Rapid Experimentation & Learning

• Establish a disciplined experimentation model that favors speed, learning, and decisive action
• Define clear thresholds for advancing, iterating, or terminating ideas based on data and field feedback
• Capture lessons learned from failures and translate them into improved designs, standards, or processes

Field & Operational Integration

• Maintain deep connection to downhill oilfield and well operations to ensure designs reflect real-world conditions
• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Field Service to ensure seamless handoff from R&D to execution
• Actively participate in field reviews, post-installation feedback, and failure analysis

Differentiation & Competitive Advantage

• Identify opportunities for product differentiation, performance improvement, durability, and cost reduction
• Evaluate competitive products and market trends to inform design strategy and innovation priorities
• Ensure R&D output strengthens OSI’s position in speed, quality, and value

Leadership & Accountability

• Lead, develop, and hold accountable R&D personnel, contractors, or project teams as the function scales
• Set clear expectations, timelines, and deliverables across R&D initiatives
• Drive cross-functional alignment and resolve friction that slows innovation

Governance & Decision-Making

• Establish and maintain appropriate design documentation, drawings, specifications, and testing records
• Provide clear, data-backed recommendations to ownership on product direction, investment, and risk
• Make firm, timely decisions that prioritize progress and learning over perfection

Working Conditions

• Primarily onsite at OSI’s Odessa operations, with regular presence in manufacturing, assembly, and testing environments
• Frequent interaction with shop floors, equipment, prototypes, and field-driven products is expected
• Exposure to manufacturing equipment, moderate noise, and materials handling.
• Requires standing, walking, bending, and lifting parts or materials up to 50 lbs.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• 10+ years of progressive experience in mechanical design, product development, or oilfield manufacturing environments
• 5+ years in a senior technical leadership or R&D leadership role or similar capacity preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field preferred
• Equivalent experience with demonstrated design and product leadership may be considered
• Proven experience taking products from concept to production in an industrial or oilfield setting