Head of Research And Development

Our client is seeking an experienced and technically strong Head of Research & Development to lead the development and evolution of its medical device portfolio, with a particular focus on anaesthesia, ventilation and respiratory care technologies.This is a senior leadership position for an individual who combines strong engineering expertise with proven experience in medical device development, software and hardware integration, and product innovation. The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary R&D activities, ensuring that new products and technologies meet clinical requirements, regulatory standards and evolving market needs.A key priority will be the development of integrated medical device solutions, including software applications that enhance device functionality, support clinical workflows and improve patient care.Key ResponsibilitiesR&D Strategy and LeadershipDefine and execute the R&D strategy in alignment with the company's business objectives and product roadmap.Lead, develop and motivate multidisciplinary engineering teams across hardware, software, electronics and systems engineering.Establish clear development priorities, project milestones, budgets and performance objectives.Foster a culture of innovation, technical excellence and continuous improvement.Work closely with executive management to identify opportunities for product development, technology investment and portfolio expansion.Product Development and EngineeringOversee the full product development lifecycle, from concept generation and feasibility assessment through design, validation, industrialisation and product launch.Lead the development and enhancement of medical devices, particularly in anaesthesia, mechanical ventilation and respiratory care.Ensure effective integration of mechanical, electronic, embedded software and application software components.Drive the development of software applications that improve usability, clinical decision-making support, device connectivity and patient monitoring.Ensure products are designed with reliability, safety, usability, performance and long-term maintainability in mind.Identify emerging technologies and assess their potential application within the company's product portfolio.Software and Hardware IntegrationProvide technical leadership across integrated hardware and software development programmes.Ensure seamless interaction between device hardware, embedded systems, application software and external systems.Oversee system architecture, interface design, technical specifications and integration testing.Collaborate with software and hardware engineering teams to resolve complex technical challenges and optimise system performance.Promote robust software development, verification, configuration management and lifecycle maintenance practices appropriate to regulated medical devices.Regulatory Compliance and QualityEnsure R&D activities comply with applicable medical device regulations and quality management requirements, including relevant ISO standards and EU MDR requirements.Oversee design controls, risk management, verification and validation, and technical documentation in collaboration with Quality and Regulatory Affairs.Ensure development activities incorporate patient safety, clinical requirements, cybersecurity and software lifecycle considerations where applicable.Support regulatory submissions, product certifications, audits and post-market product improvements.Drive a structured approach to design changes, corrective actions and continuous product improvement.Cross-Functional CollaborationWork closely with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical, Product Management and Commercial teams.Translate clinical and market requirements into clear product specifications and engineering priorities.Support production transfer, design for manufacturability, supplier collaboration and product lifecycle management.Engage with external technology partners, research institutions, suppliers and clinical stakeholders where appropriate.Provide technical support to commercial teams on product capabilities, differentiation and future development opportunities.Candidate RequirementsDegree in Biomedical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline. A postgraduate qualification is advantageous.Significant experience in research and development within the medical device industry, ideally involving complex electromechanical or software-enabled medical technologies.Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary R&D or engineering teams.Strong technical understanding of software and hardware integration, including embedded systems, electronics, system architecture and application software.Experience managing complex product development programmes from concept through verification, validation and commercialisation.Knowledge of medical device regulatory frameworks and quality systems, including EU MDR, ISO 13485 and ISO 14971.Experience with regulated software development and medical device software lifecycle standards, such as IEC 62304, where applicable.Proven ability to manage budgets, timelines, technical risks and competing development priorities.Strong leadership, problem-solving and stakeholder management skills.Professional fluency in English; Italian language skills would be advantageous.Preferred ExperienceExperience in anaesthesia, ventilation, respiratory care, patient monitoring or other critical-care medical devices.Background in developing products that combine hardware, embedded software and clinical applications.Experience integrating medical devices with hospital information systems or other connected healthcare technologies.Familiarity with usability engineering, human factors, medical device cybersecurity and connected device architectures.Experience leading product innovation and modernisation within an established medical technology business.Key Success FactorsThe successful candidate will be expected to:Deliver a clear and commercially aligned R&D roadmap.Strengthen collaboration between software, hardware and systems engineering.Accelerate the development and introduction of innovative medical technologies.Improve product reliability, usability, technical performance and development efficiency.Ensure development programmes meet quality, regulatory, cost and time-to-market objectives.Build a high-performing R&D organisation capable of supporting the company's long-term growth.