Our client, a growing international medical device organisation, is seeking an experienced R&D Director to join its senior leadership team in Galway.
This is a strategic leadership opportunity for an accomplished MedTech professional who is passionate about innovation, product development, and building high-performing engineering teams. The successful candidate will lead international R&D initiatives, drive the development of next-generation medical technologies, and play a key role in shaping the organisation's long-term innovation strategy.
Working closely with executive leadership, engineering, quality, operations, and commercial teams, the R&D Director will ensure the successful delivery of complex medical device development programmes while fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute the organisation's R&D strategy in alignment with business objectives.
- Provide leadership and direction across product development and innovation initiatives.
- Translate strategic goals into executable R&D programmes and measurable outcomes.
- Support the development of long-term technology roadmaps and innovation pipelines.
Research & Product Development
- Lead multidisciplinary R&D teams through all phases of medical device development.
- Drive the successful delivery of complex product development projects, ensuring alignment with timelines, budgets, and business objectives.
- Foster a culture of innovation, scientific excellence, and first-principles engineering.
- Support invention disclosures, technical problem solving, and technology evaluation activities.
Team Leadership & Development
- Build, mentor, and develop high-performing R&D teams.
- Promote a collaborative, accountable, and results-driven working environment.
- Ensure appropriate resourcing and capability development to support future growth.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner closely with Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical, Commercial, and Executive teams.
- Collaborate with marketing and commercial stakeholders to define customer, clinician, and patient needs.
- Act as a key technical stakeholder across internal and external development programmes.
Technical & Operational Excellence
- Drive structured problem-solving and risk management activities.
- Support complaint investigations and technical reviews where required.
- Ensure compliance with ISO 13485 and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Maintain audit readiness and support quality system effectiveness.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Biomedical, Electrical, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Advanced degree (MSc, MEng, PhD, MBA) highly desirable.
- Minimum 10 years' leadership experience within the medical device industry.
- Proven track record leading complex product development programmes and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Strong understanding of medical device design, development, verification, validation, and commercialisation processes.
- Experience operating within ISO 13485 regulated environments.
- Demonstrated ability to translate strategic vision into successful product development programmes.
Experience in one or more of the following areas would be highly advantageous:
- Structural Heart
- Electrophysiology
- Neurovascular
- Peripheral Vascular Intervention
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strategic Leadership
- Medical Device Product Development
- Innovation & Technology Development
- Global Project Management
- Team Building & Talent Development
- Stakeholder Management
- Risk Management
- Design Controls & Product Lifecycle Management
- Technical Problem Solving
- ISO 13485 & Quality Systems
What's on Offer
- Competitive executive-level salary package.
- Performance-related bonus.
- Pension scheme.
- Health and life insurance.
- Professional development and leadership growth opportunities.
- Opportunity to lead impactful medical device innovation programmes.
- Key leadership position within a growing international organisation.
Applications are now open for suitable candidates
Note: By applying for this position, you may also be considered by Pale Blue Dot® Recruitment for other relevant opportunities.
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