Sr. Director, R&D Engineering – Singapore

Role overview

We are looking for a senior R&D engineering leader to head the Singapore R&D Center and shape the next phase of platform innovation, team growth, and strategic collaboration. This position plays a central role in building capability in Singapore while working closely with global leadership to identify partnership opportunities and support future expansion across Asia.

The role requires broad technical depth, strong business judgment, and the ability to balance innovation with execution. You will help foster a culture rooted in integrity, teamwork, and continuous improvement while ensuring the center delivers both operational excellence and meaningful scientific progress.

Work schedule and environment

Standard schedule: Monday to Friday.

Work setting: Office-based.

Responsibilities

• Set the long-term direction for the Singapore R&D center and align plans with divisional and group priorities while expanding the team’s ability to meet regional and global needs.
• Coach, develop, and mentor current and future R&D leaders while strengthening succession plans, organizational depth, inclusion, and collaborative ways of working.
• Lead development efforts across modern instruments, consumables, reagents, and software platforms for RUO and IVD applications, ensuring delivery quality and schedule discipline.
• Serve as a strong cross-functional partner to R&D, commercial, operations, regulatory, and global stakeholders, and represent the Singapore team both internally and externally.
• Work with commercial leadership in Asia to uncover and pursue new R&D growth opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with quality systems, development processes, and operational standards while advancing continuous improvement in new product introduction and sustaining engineering.
• Represent the organization as a visible, credible leader within the company and the wider life sciences community through technical expertise, partnerships, and external engagement.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Engineering, Life Sciences, or Applied Physics.
• At least 15 years of R&D leadership experience in life sciences, diagnostics, or another high-tech field.
• Demonstrated success leading global, diverse teams and delivering innovative RUO and IVD product platforms.
• Experience working in regulated environments such as ISO13485 and MGPP.
• Strong ability to lead in a matrix structure, build partnerships, and represent the organization externally.
• Excellent communication, business strategy, and financial skills.
• Hands-on knowledge of genomics, proteomics, and related software or instrument development is strongly preferred.
• High-integrity leadership style with accountability, influence, and the ability to inspire R&D teams.
• Ability to balance innovation with operational discipline, quality, and risk-based decision-making.

Additional information

This role emphasizes strategic thinking, external collaboration, and the ability to drive growth through innovation and partnerships. The ideal candidate will combine scientific credibility with executive presence and a strong focus on product and process excellence.

Key attributes

• Leadership grounded in trust, integrity, and accountability.
• Ability to manage both innovation and operational execution effectively.
• Strong commitment to quality, improvement, and disciplined decision-making.
• Clear, influential communication across functions, cultures, and partners.
• Growth-oriented mindset with sound judgment for identifying opportunities and creating business value.