Senior Research & Development Specialist, Formations

Restoration Hardware•Torrance, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

RH is seeking a dedicated, innovation-focused Senior Research & Development (R&D) Specialist to drive material innovation while preserving Formations’ historical aesthetic. The role is based primarily at the Formations manufacturing facility in Torrance, California, and reports directly to the Formations General Manager and Chief Operating Officer (COO). It offers the opportunity to work directly with Formations Co-Founders Richard Hallberg and Dan Cuevas and legendary interior designers. The specialist will translate historical design precedents into scalable luxury collections, research period pieces and materials, evaluate samples and finishes, oversee testing, and ensure manufacturing quality. The role coordinates the Torrance production floor with creative meetings in West Hollywood and keeps leadership informed about project timelines, resources, feasibility, and budgets. It also tracks development and quality metrics and leads compliance testing for new outdoor composites.

Requirements

At least 7 years of experience in product development, R&D, or engineering within luxury furniture, antiques, or architectural industries.
Deep knowledge of 18th- and 19th-century design movements, including Georgian, Regency, and Louis XVI, and their period-specific materials.
Exceptional visual acuity, including the ability to distinguish modern machine finishes from hand-applied 19th-century finishes.
Strong interpersonal skills and ease working with executive designers, operational leaders, master artisans, and shop foremen.
Sophisticated project management skills, including precision in budget tracking, timeline adherence, and quality control.

Nice To Haves

A 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.

Responsibilities

Model RH’s Vision, Values, and Beliefs.
Partner with Formations Co-Founders to execute their creative vision and translate historical design precedents into scalable luxury collections.
Research 18th- and 19th-century museum pieces and develop 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 feedback on period-correct proportions, textures, and patinas.
Work with the Finishing Shop Foreman to confirm that 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 to keep design and manufacturing aligned.
Keep the Formations General Manager and COO informed about project timelines, resource needs, manufacturing feasibility, and budget parameters.
Track product development cycle time, milestone completion, and first-pass quality yield to support continuous improvement across R&D initiatives.
Lead material-testing compliance for newly developed outdoor composites and ensure structural and weathering protocols are fully executed.