R&D Project Manager
2 days ago
Villeneuve-d’Ascq
Job is 100% On-site, based in Lille, France 🚀About ClearDrop At ClearDrop, we are redefining optical cleaning through our integrated acoustic wave technology. ClearDrop and ClearSolar patented solutions are already addressing critical challenges in defense optronics, automotive sensing, and solar energy. You’ll be joining a fast-growing deeptech startup where cutting-edge physics meets real-world industrial deployment. If you’re excited by applied science, customer interaction, and building technology that actually ships, this is the adventure for you. 🧠 The Role We are looking for a talented and ambitious R&D Project Manager (0–5 years of experience) to sit at the intersection of engineering, customers, and product strategy. You will take ownership of client-facing technical projects while contributing deeply to the evolution of our core technology. Directly reporting to the CEO, with dotted lines to both the CTO and VP of Sales. ⚡ Key Responsibilities 🔬 Technical leadership & R&D • Coordinate and potentialy supervise the work of junior engineers involved in customer and internal R&D projects, • Work closely with CTO and head of Microfabrication to develop a deep understanding of the physics, electronics, and microfabrication aspects of ClearDrop’s technology, • Actively participate in internal technical reviews and decision-making 🤝 Customer & pre-sales interaction Work closely with the VP of Sales and with customers to: • Define functional and technical specifications during pre-sales phases, • Lead technical workshops on how to best integrate ClearDrop’s technology into customer systems, • Provide regular and structured project updates to clients 🗺️ Project & roadmap ownership • Anticipate risks, constraints, and dependencies across projects, • Contribute to building shared roadmaps (ClearDrop + customer) leading to prototype validation and series production, • Support the transition from R&D to early production phases 🎯 Profile We’re Looking For • Engineer, Master’s or PhD from a top-tier European, UK or US university, ideally in Physics, Electronics, Acoustics, Microfabrication, Mechatronics, or a related field., • 0–5 years of professional experience, • Strong analytical mindset combined with clear communication skills, • Comfortable interacting with customers and non-technical stakeholders, • Curious, autonomous, and eager to grow in a startup environment, • Fluent in English (French is optional and a plus) 📈 Career Prospects • ClearDrop is scaling fast. Depending on your interests and performance, this role can evolve towards:, • Team leadership, • Industrialization & small-scale production management, • Broader technical or product ownership, • Competitive compensation and career evolution, aligned with impact, responsibility, and results. 🛠️ Practical Information • Permanent contract (CDI), • Based in Lille, France, • 100% on-site presence required, • Travel for customer meetings and trade fairs is expected (once a month)