Director of Research and Development

Summary

The Director of R&D leads a multidisciplinary product development team within Covaris' Research & Development organization. This role owns the R&D portfolio for one or more strategic initiatives, translating business and market strategy into an executable technology roadmap. The role is also accountable for the people, budget, and technical decisions that push products through Covaris' stage-gate process and into the hands of customers. The Director manages a team of experienced Scientists and Scientific Associates and represents R&D in cross-functional and executive discussions on priorities, risk, and resourcing.

Key Responsibilities

• Portfolio Strategy: Own the R&D roadmap for Covaris platforms, working with the SVP of Technology and Innovation and Executive Management to convert market and customer input into a prioritized, resourced portfolio of programs.
• Department Leadership: Manage a multidisciplinary team of Scientists and Scientific Associates; set goals, run performance management, and build the laboratory bench strength & expertise, as well as succession depth the department needs as it grows.
• Stage-Gate Execution and Accountability: Hold program teams accountable to scope, timeline, and budget commitments across Covaris' regulated stage-gate process; personally own the gate reviews and risk escalations for programs in the portfolio.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner with Product Management, Marketing, Operations, Quality, and Regulatory to align on requirements, manufacturing readiness, launch timing, and post-launch support, resolving arising timeline and resource conflicts before they become roadblocks.
• Regulatory and Quality Compliance: Ensure R&D activities under this role meet design control and quality requirements (e.g., ISO 13485, 21 CFR 820, CE-IVDR) appropriate to Covaris' clinical and life sciences customer base, working directly with Quality and Regulatory leadership.
• IP and Technology Protection: Identify and protect novel and proprietary innovation emerging from the portfolio and work with outside counsel and the executive team to build and defend Covaris' IP position.
• Customer and Market Engagement: Engage with key opinion leaders, customers, such as clinical testing labs, medical centers, CROs, and academic and services labs, keep abreast of new developments, technologies and their impact on current and future Covaris portfolio. Convey messages to Covaris Executive, Marketing and Business Development Departments in a timely manner.
• Executive Reporting: Represent the department in leadership reviews, providing clear, candid updates on portfolio health, risk, and resourcing needs to the VP of R&D and the broader executive team.

Qualifications

• Education: Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics or Bioengineering is preferred; a Master's degree with commensurate industry experience will be considered.
• Experience: 8+ years of R&D experience in life science related industries, such as CROs, Clinical testing labs, biotechnology or medical device industries, including at least 3 years of managing managers or a multidisciplinary department.
• Track Record: Demonstrated success taking multiple products through a regulated stage-gate process from concept to commercial launch, with direct accountability for schedule, budget, and quality outcomes.
• Technical Depth: Strong working knowledge and experience with a variety of sample preparation workflows for genomic and proteomic applications, as well as the associated molecular biology techniques, and/or instrumentation and automation; familiarity with latest NGS applications is a plus.
• Leadership Skills: A track record of hiring, developing, and retaining strong scientists, and of building a department culture that holds itself to a high bar without becoming bureaucratic and hierarchical.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Working familiarity with ISO 13485, 21 CFR 820, and related quality system requirements for life sciences or diagnostics products.