POSITION PURPOSE
Lead R&D team and serve as technical bridge between departments
Develop new products that meet customer requirements and optimize production costs
Research and apply new materials and technologies to production
Manage all R&D activities in furniture OEM/millwork factory
Develop veneer engineering techniques and special lacquer effects
Optimize production processes and manage technical documentation
SCOPE OF WORK / RESPONSIBLITIES
New Product Development- NPD (20%)
Receive and analyze briefs, technical and aesthetic requirements from customers
Control and thoroughly resolve technical errors at all development stages
Ensure products align with production technology and cost optimization
Manage entire process: prototype → pilot run → mass production
Deploy detailed 2D/3D drawings, BOM, structure, and assembly instructions
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
Test and evaluate material suitability for each product line
Finishing: Test adhesion, hardness, scratch resistance, moisture resistance; optimize sanding – sealer – topcoat process
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 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
Veneer on Solid Wood: Design cross- banding, balancing veneer to prevent cracking; control moisture, grain direction, and core stability
Hardware & Structure (10%)
Conduct durability tests: 10,000–50,000 cycles, load capacity, smoothness
Design hybrid wood- metal structures per ANSI/BIFMA/EN standards
Design joinery: dowel, mortise & tenon, dovetail, pocket hole
Benchmark and test hinges, drawer slides, connectors, KD fittings
Optimize reinforcement and screw placement positions
Production Process Optimization- Process R&D (10%)
Standardize veneer – laminate – finishing processes
Optimize sanding according to roughness and machinery
Design jigs and fixtures to increase productivity and reduce errors
Research and optimize CNC: routing, drilling, nesting
New Materials Research & Application (10%)
Execute prototype – semi production – pilot run for evaluation
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
Source new materials: engineered veneer, next- gen laminates, composites, eco- friendly materials
Lacquer Effect Development (5%)
Build standard production processes ensuring consistency between batches
Test adhesion, hardness, flatness, moisture resistance, scratch resistance
Research and test new effects: metallic, crackle, pearl, marble, deep matte, high gloss
Develop lacquer effect library for customers and internal use
Design layering systems and special effect techniques
Technical Documentation Management (5%)
Update and manage technical document version control
Control technical drawings, BOM, assembly instructions, SOPs
Ensure documentation synchronization and standards before production transfer
Build material – hardware – veneer – lacquer library
R&D Team Management (5%)
Build and develop team capabilities
Train on materials – veneer – lacquer – structure – processes
Manage timelines, assign work, evaluate performance
Manage R&D engineers, draftsmen, sample makers