R&D Director

Work Your Magic with us! Start your next chapter and join MilliporeSigma.

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.  

Your Role:

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Director of Research & Development (R&D) to lead our innovation and development efforts in single-use technologies for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. This role is responsible for driving the design, development, and commercialization of high-performance single-use bioprocessing solutions, including assemblies, connectors, and sampling devices.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy:

• Develop and execute the R&D strategy for single-use products, ensuring alignment with business objectives and market needs
• Lead and mentor a team of engineers, scientists, and technical professionals to drive innovative product development
• Collaborate closely with product management, manufacturing, application teams to bring new products from concept to commercialization
• Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and customer needs to maintain the company's competitive edge

Product Development & Innovation:

• Oversee the design, testing, and validation of single-use bioprocessing products, ensuring compliance with regulatory and industry standards
• Drive innovation in materials, design, and manufacturing processes to enhance performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness
• Ensure effective technology transfer from R&D to manufacturing for seamless production scale-up
• Manage the intellectual property (IP) portfolio, including patents and trade secrets, to protect innovations

Regulatory & Quality Compliance:

• Ensure all products meet cGMP, ISO 13485, USP Class VI, and other relevant biopharmaceutical regulations
• Implement rigorous design control and risk management processes in line with ISO requirements

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Customer Engagement:

• Partner with customers and key opinion leaders (KOLs) to define product requirements and validate prototypes
• Work closely with sales and marketing teams to translate customer needs into technical solutions
• Support business development initiatives, including strategic partnerships and technology evaluations

Location: Bedford, MA

Travel: <20%, International and Domestic

Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Biotechnology, or a related field
• Minimum 10 years of experience in R&D, product development, or engineering within the bioprocessing or biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry
• Proven track record in developing and commercializing single-use technologies, such as bioreactors, filtration systems, tubing assemblies, connectors, and sensors
• Strong knowledge of polymeric materials, fluid dynamics, and sterile processing in biopharmaceutical applications
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams and managing complex product development projects
• Familiarity with cGMP, ISO 13485, and regulatory requirements for single-use systems
• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and drive results

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree or PhD a plus; Minimum 10 years of experience in R&D, product development, or engineering within the bioprocessing or biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry still required
• Experience working in an industry-leading Life Science company
• Knowledge of stage-gate product development process and design control 
• Understanding of biopharmaceutical workflows, including upstream and downstream processing

What we offer: We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We celebrate all dimensions of diversity and believe that it drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!
 
Apply now and become a part of our diverse team!

If you would like to know more about what diversity, equity, and inclusion means to us, please visit https://www.emdgroup.com/en/company/press-positions.html