Leads material innovation and product development for luxury furniture collections, translating historical design references into scalable manufacturing specifications. Oversees weathering and structural testing, reviews samples, troubleshoots material defects, audits production quality, coordinates creative and manufacturing teams, and tracks development milestones, budgets, cycle times, and first-pass quality. Requires deep knowledge of 18th- and 19th-century design, materials, finishes, and luxury manufacturing.
RH is seeking a dedicated and innovation-focused Senior Research & Development (R&D) Specialist to drive material innovation while serving as the ultimate guardian of our historical aesthetic. Based primarily out of our Formations Manufacturing facility in Torrance, CA, this position reports directly to the Formations General Manager and Chief Operating Officer (COO), while offering a rare opportunity to work directly with legendary interior designers and Formations Co-Founders, Richard Hallberg and Dan Cuevas.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Live and model Our Vision, Values and Beliefs every day.
- Partner directly with Formations Co-Founders to execute their creative vision, translating centuries-old design precedents into scalable luxury collections
- Research 18th and 19th century museum pieces to develop comprehensive material specification sheets for new collections
- Oversee weathering tests for outdoor stone and iron components to validate structural performance across modern climate conditions
- Review and approve physical samples of hardware, mirror glass and wood carvings, providing precise feedback on period-correct proportions, textures and patinas
- Collaborate daily with the Finishing Shop Foreman to confirm raw materials align with proprietary paints, waxes and patinas
- Troubleshoot technical defects, including wood warping and natural stone variation, to uphold luxury quality standards
- Audit active production lines to preserve traditional textures, joinery and hand-applied character
- Coordinate between the Torrance production floor and creative meetings in West Hollywood, keeping design and manufacturing aligned
- Keep the Formations General Manager and Chief Operating Officer informed on project timelines, resource needs, manufacturing feasibility and budget parameters
- Track product development cycle time, milestone completion and first-pass quality yield to drive continuous improvement across R&D initiatives
- Lead material testing compliance for newly developed outdoor composites, ensuring full execution of structural and weathering protocols
WHAT YOU BRING
- 7+ years of experience in product development, R&D or engineering within luxury furniture, antiques or architectural industries
- Deep, authoritative knowledge of 18th and 19th century design movements, including Georgian, Regency and Louis XVI, and their period-specific materials
- Exceptional visual acuity, with the skill to distinguish instantly between a modern machine finish and a hand-applied 19th century finish
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science, Furniture Design, Wood Science and Technology, Architecture, Art History or a related technical field is preferred
- Strong interpersonal skills with natural ease interfacing with executive designers, operational leaders, master artisans and shop foremen
- Sophisticated project management skills with precision in budget tracking, timeline adherence and quality control
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Based primarily onsite at the Formations manufacturing facility in Torrance, California, with periodic travel to West Hollywood
- Extended periods on the production floor, including close visual inspection of materials, samples and finished components
- Frequent movement throughout the manufacturing facility to audit production lines and partner with shop leadership
At RH, we are committed to promoting pay equity. Rate of pay is determined based on each individual's experience, qualifications, and the geographic location of the role.
Similar Jobs
Cloud • Information Technology • Productivity • Security • Software • App development • Automation
Develop and deploy scalable machine-learning solutions, particularly deep-learning forecasting models for company top-line metrics. Lead the full ML lifecycle from problem definition and experimentation through production deployment and improvement. Design production-grade architectures, evaluate and improve models, collaborate with cross-functional teams, explain technical concepts to varied audiences, and mentor junior engineers.
Top Skills:
Deep LearningMachine LearningMachine Learning Infrastructure
Cloud • Information Technology • Productivity • Security • Software • App development • Automation
Leads and coaches Strategic Account Executives to exceed revenue targets, improve pipeline discipline, forecast accurately, and close complex SaaS opportunities. Acts as a player-coach in strategic demos and negotiations, analyzes funnel performance, develops underperforming representatives, and drives GTM improvements through customer feedback. The role also owns sales training, recruiting, onboarding, and building a high-performing team culture.
Top Skills:
GongLinkedin Sales NavigatorSalesforce
Cloud • Information Technology • Productivity • Security • Software • App development • Automation
Lead the design, development, deployment, and continuous improvement of AI/ML solutions for enterprise customers. Build integrations using Python or JavaScript, APIs, microservices, and enterprise systems; analyze data; automate workflows; manage AI risk, privacy, and compliance; mentor engineers; and align technical solutions with business objectives.
Top Skills:
Agent-Based FrameworksAPIsAtlassian IntelligenceGdprGenerative AiJavaScriptLarge Language Models (Llms)MicroservicesPythonRovo Ai
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene
Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.
Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
- Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering
