Research & Development Manager

​Position Overview

​Proforce Defence is seeking an innovative, highly strategic R&D Manager to lead our engineering design, product development, and technical research team at our facility in Ode Remo, Ogun State. The successful candidate will drive product innovation, advanced vehicle architecture, ballistic protection integration, prototyping, and continuous technical improvement across our tactical, commercial, and specialized armored vehicle lines.

​Key Responsibilities

• ​R&D Strategy & Product Roadmap: Conceptualize, direct, and execute the company’s R&D strategy, driving vehicle design innovation, product enhancements, and military/defense mobility solutions.
• ​Vehicle Engineering & Prototyping: Lead the end-to-end design, modeling, prototyping, and testing of new vehicle platforms, armor systems, power units, and mechanical/electrical sub-assemblies.
• ​Cross-Functional Engineering Leadership: Supervise CAD design engineers, mechanical designers, stress analysts, and prototype technicians to convert tactical requirements into manufacturable designs.
• ​Testing, Validation & Standards Compliance: Oversee FEA (Finite Element Analysis), blast/ballistic simulation, field testing, and performance validation to meet international military (STANAG/NIJ) and automotive quality standards.
• ​Materials Research & Technology Integration: Investigate advanced lightweight metals, composite armor materials, autonomous systems, and modern automotive technology to enhance vehicle capability and production efficiency.
• ​Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Collaborate closely with production, welding, body assembly, and quality control teams to ensure new designs transition smoothly from concept to full-scale production.
• ​IP & Project Management: Manage R&D project timelines, budgets, technical documentation, design patents, and intellectual property portfolios.

​Key Engineering Knowledge Requirements

• ​Automotive Systems Engineering: In-depth knowledge of chassis dynamics, powertrain integration, suspension geometry, structural mechanics, and automotive CAD/CAM design.
• ​Armor & Ballistics Engineering: Advanced understanding of ballistic material behavior, blast mitigation structures, armored steel fabrication, composite armor matrices, and protection levels (NIJ, VPAM, STANAG 4569).
• ​Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) & Simulation: Expertise in 3D CAD modeling software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA) and Simulation/FEA tools (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus) for structural, thermal, and impact stress analysis.
• ​Design for Manufacturability & Assembly (DFMA): Strong grasp of sheet metal forming, heavy welding joint design, CNC machining limits, and automotive assembly workflows.
• ​Testing Protocols & Materials Science: Proficiency in material testing methods (tensile, hardness, impact resistance), vehicle endurance testing, and dynamic load evaluation.

​Qualifications & Experience

• ​Education: B.Sc., HND, or Master’s/Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics, Metallurgy, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline.
• ​Experience: Minimum of 6–10 years of progressive engineering experience, with at least 3 years in a managerial or lead research role within automotive engineering, defense equipment design, aerospace, or heavy vehicle fabrication.
• ​Skills: Strong technical leadership, complex problem-solving, project management, technical report writing, and strategic vision.

​Job Details

​Location: No. 1 Akaka Road, Ode Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.