R&D Project Manager
Position Information
Position Title: R&D Project Manager
Department: Research & Development
Company: Protocase Inc.
Location: Sydney, Nova Scotia
Work Arrangement: On-site
Employment Type: Full-Time
Shift: Day Shift
Level: Intermediate (Expected Experience: 2–5 Years)
Full Transparency: We Work a Little Differently Around Here.
This isn't just another job where you punch in and punch out. We come to work every day because we strive to earn a living in a meaningful way. Too many people exist without finding joy or purpose in their work, and we believe that's just wrong. After all, we spend at least a third of our lives working—so why not create workplaces where people want to come to work in the morning and feel good when they leave at the end of the day?
At Protocase, your ideas don't just matter—they shape our future. We thrive on collaboration and innovation, where every voice is heard, valued, and makes a real impact. Does this sound like something you'd want to be a part of and help grow?
Protocase specializes in custom sheet metal enclosures, panels, and parts for engineers and innovators worldwide, built with unmatched speed and quality. We take the impossible and make it possible for some of the brightest minds on the planet.
Learn more about us: https://workdifferently.info/
About the Role
Great projects are built by great teams—and we're looking for someone who can lead both.
As the Project Manager for our Research & Development team, your primary responsibility is to help people do their best work. You'll provide clarity, remove obstacles, coach team members, and create accountability while ensuring our most important R&D initiatives move from idea to implementation.
Success in this role isn't measured simply by projects completed—it's measured by the strength of the team you build and the results you achieve together. You'll collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and cross-functional teams to ensure priorities are aligned, projects stay on track, and innovation continues to drive our business forward.
What You'll Do
- Lead, coach, and support members of the R&D team by setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and helping them grow and succeed.
- Build a culture of accountability where commitments are kept, challenges are addressed early, and successes are celebrated together.
- Foster collaboration across departments, ensuring everyone is aligned around shared goals and priorities.
- Remove roadblocks, resolve conflicts, and empower your team to do their best work.
- Build and manage project plans with clear goals, timelines, deliverables, and ownership.
- Establish and maintain project management processes that keep work organized, transparent, and moving forward.
- Monitor project progress, identify risks early, and adapt plans as priorities evolve.
- Capture project outcomes and lessons learned to continuously improve how the team delivers results.
- Communicate project status, priorities, and risks to key stakeholders.
- Champion continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to improve processes, collaboration, and project execution.
What You Need (Required Qualifications)
Education
- Degree or diploma in Business, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field.
Experience
- 2–5 years of hands-on project management experience, ideally in a technical, manufacturing, engineering, or other fast-paced environment.
Technical Skills
- A genuine passion for developing people and building high-performing teams.
- Strong project planning, prioritization, and organizational skills.
- Confidence making decisions, setting expectations, and holding teams accountable.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across multiple disciplines.
- Strong problem-solving abilities, with the initiative to identify issues early and keep work moving.
- A continuous improvement mindset and the ability to inspire others to embrace change.
Certifications / Licences
Other Requirements
- Eligible to work in Canada.
- Ability to work on-site in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
What Would Be Considered an Asset (Nice-to-Have Qualifications)
- Experience with Agile and/or Scrum project management methodologies.
- Experience leading cross-functional technical or engineering projects.
- Experience working within a manufacturing or product development environment.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or similar designation.
What Success Looks Like
Within your first year, you will:
- Successfully lead multiple R&D projects from concept through implementation.
- Build strong working relationships across engineering, manufacturing, and leadership teams.
- Establish consistent project management processes that improve visibility, accountability, and execution.
- Improve project delivery by proactively identifying risks, removing roadblocks, and keeping teams aligned.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement within the R&D team.
- Coach and develop team members, helping them grow while enabling the team to consistently deliver exceptional results.
Why Us?
At Protocase, we believe in recognizing and rewarding hard work and dedication.
Our starting annual total compensation package—including base salary and performance incentives—ranges from $65,000 to $95,000 CAD, depending on experience.
In addition, you can look forward to:
Training & Growth: Leadership training, skills development opportunities, regular coaching, and clear pathways for career growth.
- ️ Comprehensive Health Care Plan & Company RRSP: Medical, Dental, Life Insurance, Group Insurance, and a Company RRSP after six months of full-time employment.
️ Vacation: Start with two weeks of paid vacation, increasing to three weeks after three years and four weeks after five years.
Community Discounts: Access exclusive discounts at local businesses and restaurants.
️ Wellness Support: Enjoy a cost-shared YMCA membership, wellness initiatives, and access to a pension plan after three months of employment.
Social Events: Regular social events, including seasonal parties, monthly lunches, and team celebrations.
Lifestyle of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia: Live in a community with quick commutes, affordable homes on generous plots of land, beautiful scenery, and friendly people—a lifestyle that marries nature with a vibrant culture.
