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.