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R&D Director – Medical Devices

  • On-site
    • Galway, Ireland
  • Engineering (Design/ R&D / Mechanical / NPI)

Job description

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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