R&D Director – Medical Devices

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.

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be highly advantageous

- Structural Heart
- Electrophysiology
- Neurovascular
- Peripheral Vascular Intervention

What's on Offer

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.

Responsibilities

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.; 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.; 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.; 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.; 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.

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.; 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

Benefits

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.