Bridge the gap between Australian design vision and Thai manufacturing excellence — and shape what King Living brings to market next.
The King Difference
This is not just an R&D role managing timelines and paperwork.
This is a pivotal leadership position at the intersection of creative vision and manufacturing reality.
As our R&D Manager based at our King Furniture Thailand facility in Rayong, you are the critical link between our Sydney Design team and our Thailand manufacturing operation — ensuring that every innovative concept from Australia is translated into a beautifully crafted, commercially viable product that meets King Living's exacting quality standards.
You will lead a talented local team, drive product innovation from concept to production, and play a defining role in shaping what King Living brings to market. The work is complex, the stakes are real, and the impact is visible in every product that leaves our facility.
If you are an experienced furniture or industrial design professional ready to take senior ownership of a high-impact R&D function within a growing global brand — this is the platform to do it.
What You Will Own
Product Development — Concept to Production Lead end-to-end development of new furniture products — bridging the Australian Design team and Thailand manufacturing at every stage, from brief through to factory-ready production.
Design & Engineering Oversight Monitor and manage product design, ensuring specifications, drawings, and technical documentation are accurate, complete, and aligned with factory capabilities and equipment.
Prototype Development & Testing Oversee prototype development and product testing — ensuring all products meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards before moving to production.
Manufacturing Collaboration Partner with Production, Engineering, and Quality teams to ensure smooth product commercialisation, cost-optimised manufacturing processes, and effective resolution of production design issues.
Project & Budget Management Plan and manage R&D projects, timelines, and budgets — coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver on time and within scope, and reporting progress to the General Manager.
Materials & Supplier Innovation Identify and evaluate new materials, components, and technologies in collaboration with suppliers — driving continuous improvement in product quality and cost effectiveness.
Team Leadership Lead, develop, and mentor the R&D team including designers and engineers — setting high standards for technical excellence, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration.
Who You Are
You are an experienced product development professional who understands both the design brief and the factory floor — and you know how to bridge the two.
- Bachelor's Degree or higher in Furniture Design, Industrial Design, Engineering, or a related field
- Minimum 8 years experience in furniture product development or manufacturing, with a strong understanding of factory operations
- Direct experience with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, OEE, Budget Control, Process Design, Line Set-up, and Line Balancing
- Ability to interpret technical drawings; proficiency in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or StyleCAD is a strong advantage
- Commercially minded with strong cost analysis capability across materials, labour, and manufacturing processes
- A natural collaborator — able to work effectively across design, engineering, production, and procurement teams
- Calm under pressure, solutions-focused, and highly organised with strong prioritisation skills
- Professional proficiency in English, both written and verbal — essential for effective collaboration with the Sydney Design team
- Candidates must be based in Thailand or willing to relocate to Rayong
You will likely come from a senior product development, R&D, or manufacturing engineering role within furniture, homewares, or a related industry. What matters most is your ability to translate creative vision into production reality — with precision, pace, and commercial discipline.
Why People Join King Living — And Stay
An Iconic Australian Brand Since 1977, King Living has redefined Australian furniture design. As a vertically integrated business that designs and manufactures its own products, our Rayong facility is central to how we deliver on that promise globally.
Global Design Impact Play a defining role in bringing award-winning Australian furniture design to life at a global manufacturing scale — your work will be seen in homes across the world.
High Autonomy Leadership A senior ownership role with direct influence over product innovation, R&D direction, and the capability of your team.
Career Growth Genuine opportunity to shape the R&D function and grow within a business that values innovation and continuous improvement.
Collaborative Culture Work closely with a world-class design team in Sydney and a talented, dedicated manufacturing team on the ground in Rayong.
About King Living
King Living is a family-owned Australian design company with a global footprint and a reputation for innovation, craftsmanship and timeless design.
Everything we do is guided by four values: Passion. Integrity. Collaboration. Innovation. These are not words on a wall — they shape how we lead, create and grow.
Our hiring decisions are based not only on experience and skills, but on mindset, attitude and alignment with our values.
King Living is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered regardless of race, sexuality, religion, colour, gender identity or parental status.
Ready to shape what King Living builds next We'd love to hear from you. 
