Director of research & development

Director of R&D
Location: Galway, Ireland
Overview
An established and rapidly growing global medical device organisation is seeking a Director of Research and Development to join its European leadership team based in Galway.
The business partners with leading MedTech companies worldwide across the entire product lifecycle, from early-stage development through to manufacturing and supply. With advanced ISO-certified cleanroom facilities and an international footprint, the organisation is well positioned to support complex, high-quality programmes within surgical and minimally invasive technologies.
This appointment represents a key strategic hire, responsible for leading global R&D initiatives and shaping the organisation's innovation roadmap.
The Role
The Director of R&D will provide both strategic direction and hands‑on leadership across international development programmes. The successful individual will lead multidisciplinary teams, ensuring the successful delivery of innovation projects aligned with business objectives and market needs.
Key Responsibilities

Lead and deliver global R&D programmes, ensuring alignment with commercial goals, timelines, and technical milestones
Provide strategic and operational leadership across the R&D function
Build, develop, and structure high‑performing international R&D teams
Drive a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and continuous improvement
Collaborate closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams including engineering, quality, operations, and commercial
Partner with commercial and marketing functions to define clinical, user, and market requirements within surgical and minimally invasive applications
Identify and manage technical risk across complex development programmes
Oversee technical documentation, design reviews, and problem‑solving activities
Ensure compliance with ISO 13485 and support audit readiness

Candidate Profile

Degree in Mechanical, Biomedical, Electrical, or Materials Engineering, advanced qualifications preferred
Proven leadership experience within the medical device sector, typically 10+ years
Strong background in surgical or minimally invasive device development, such as:

Endoscopic systems
Surgical instrumentation
Catheter-based or interventional delivery technologies
Implantable or procedural device platforms

Demonstrated experience managing global teams and international projects
Ability to translate strategic objectives into executable R&D plans
Strong understanding of product development, manufacturing, and assembly processes
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

What's on Offer

Competitive salary and performance-related bonus
Pension scheme and comprehensive benefits package
Career progression within a growing international organisation
Opportunity to work on innovative, high‑impact MedTech programmes with global reach

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