Director of R&D - Medical Devices

Overview

An expanding international medical device company is looking for an experienced Director of Research & Development to become a critical member of their senior leadership team in Galway, Ireland. This role is aimed at a seasoned MedTech expert passionate about driving innovation, product advancement, and cultivating high-caliber engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement the organization's R&D strategy aligned with overarching business goals.
• Guide and oversee initiatives related to product development and innovation.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable R&D projects with clear performance metrics.
• Support creation of long-term technology plans and innovation pipelines.
• Lead cross-functional R&D groups throughout all stages of medical device development.
• Ensure on-time, on-budget delivery of complex development projects that meet business expectations.
• Encourage a work culture centered on innovation, scientific rigor, and principled engineering.
• Assist with invention disclosures, technical issue resolution, and technology assessments.
• Build and mentor effective R&D teams, fostering accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Manage resource allocation and capability expansion for sustained growth.
• Work closely with Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical, Commercial, and Executive divisions.
• Engage marketing and commercial teams to capture customer, clinician, and patient requirements.
• Serve as a primary technical stakeholder for both internal and external R&D programs.
• Promote structured problem-solving, risk mitigation, and support complaint investigations.
• Maintain compliance with ISO 13485 and other relevant regulatory standards.
• Ensure audit preparedness and contribute to quality system improvements.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• A bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Biomedical, Electrical, Materials Engineering, or a related field is essential.
• Advanced degrees such as MSc, MEng, PhD, or MBA are highly favored.
• At least 10 years of leadership experience in the medical device sector.
• Proven success managing intricate product development programs and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Deep understanding of medical device design, development, verification, validation, and commercialization.
• Experience working under ISO 13485 regulated environments.
• Ability to convert strategic vision into effective product development outcomes.

Preferred Experience

• Knowledge in Structural Heart device products.
• Experience in Electrophysiology.
• Exposure to Neurovascular medical technologies.
• Familiarity with Peripheral Vascular Intervention devices.

Core Competencies and Skills

• Strategic leadership and visioning.
• Expertise in medical device product development lifecycle.
• Innovative technology development and management.
• Global project oversight and coordination.
• Strong team-building and talent development capabilities.
• Effective stakeholder relationship management.
• Risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
• Design controls and comprehensive product lifecycle management.
• Advanced technical problem-solving.
• Thorough knowledge of ISO 13485 and quality management systems.

Benefits and Compensation

• Competitive remuneration package at the executive level.
• Performance-driven bonus opportunities.
• Membership in pension schemes.
• Health and life insurance coverage.
• Access to professional growth and leadership development programs.
• Lead impactful innovation projects in the medical device arena.
• Membership at the forefront of a thriving international organization.