Director of Research & Development

Our client is a global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) and trusted end-to-end partner to leading MedTech companies worldwide. Supporting the full medical device lifecycle from concept development and engineering through to manufacturing and global supply the organisation delivers innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective solutions across complex medical technologies.

With advanced ISO-certified cleanroom facilities, deep engineering expertise, and an international operational footprint, the company partners with global medical device organisations to accelerate innovation and optimise speed to market.

As part of continued international growth, the company is expanding its European headquarters in Galway and is seeking an experienced Director of Research & Development to join its senior leadership team.

The Opportunity

This is a strategic leadership opportunity for an experienced R&D Director with a strong background in medical device innovation, product development, and global team leadership.

The successful candidate will lead international R&D programmes across multidisciplinary engineering teams, driving innovation initiatives from concept through commercialisation while aligning technical strategy with broader business objectives.

This role requires a highly collaborative leader with deep MedTech expertise, strong programme management capability, and experience operating within complex, regulated environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Support global R&D strategy and execution across multiple international medical device development programmes.
• Drive innovation initiatives aligned with the company's commercial objectives, product roadmap, and long-term growth strategy.
• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing multidisciplinary R&D teams across engineering and scientific functions.
• Foster a culture of innovation, technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Partner closely with executive leadership, quality, operations, manufacturing, regulatory, and commercial teams globally.
• Collaborate with strategic marketing and customer stakeholders to define user, physician, and patient needs.
• Oversee technical project delivery, ensuring milestones, budgets, timelines, and performance objectives are achieved.
• Identify and mitigate technical, operational, and programme risks across complex development projects.
• Support product design reviews, complaint investigations, invention disclosures, and structured root cause analysis activities.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 13485 and applicable medical device regulatory and quality standards.
• Contribute to long-term technology strategy, product innovation, and organisational capability development.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related discipline.
• Master's degree or PhD preferred.
• Minimum 10 years' leadership experience within the medical device or MedTech industry.
• Proven experience leading international R&D teams and complex global development programmes.
• Demonstrated success delivering medical device innovation programmes from concept through commercialisation.
• Strong understanding of medical device product development, manufacturing processes, and assembly techniques.
• Experience working within highly regulated environments and ISO 13485 quality systems.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and executive presentation skills.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and organisational leadership capability.