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.

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.

• 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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