Head of R&D

ExecThread; Alor Merah; On-site; MYR 250,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

ExecThread is seeking an experienced Head of R&D to spearhead the establishment and growth of a new global innovation hub in Malaysia. You will develop and execute the R&D strategy aligned with global business objectives, build and scale the R&D organization, and lead product development with a focus on compliance, quality, and regulatory requirements.

You will drive collaboration across global teams, oversee site operations, manage budgets and resources, and foster a culture of innovation,

Qualifications

• Requires Master's degree or PhD in engineering, biomedical engineering, life sciences, or related field.
• Minimum 12 years' R&D experience in medical devices, IVD, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or other regulated industries.
• Proven leadership with at least 5 years managing large technical teams and scaling or transforming R&D/engineering organizations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute R&D strategy aligned with global business objectives.
• Build and scale the R&D organization and lead product development with focus on quality and regulatory requirements.
• Drive collaboration across global teams and oversee site operations and budgets.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement; build academic and industry partnerships.

Skills

Leadership

R&D Management

Product Development

Regulatory Compliance

Stakeholder Management

Education

Master's or PhD in engineering/biomedical engineering/life sciences

Job description

The Company is in search of an experienced Head of R&D to spearhead the establishment and growth of a new global innovation hub. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing the R&D strategy in alignment with global business objectives, building and scaling the R&D organization, and leading product development activities with a focus on compliance, quality, and regulatory requirements. This role also involves driving collaboration across global teams, overseeing site operations, and managing budgets and resources to support growth and operational excellence. The Head of R&D will be instrumental in fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement, as well as building partnerships with academic and industry stakeholders.Applicants for the Head of R&D position at the company should hold a Master's degree or PhD in engineering, biomedical engineering, life sciences, or a related discipline, and have a minimum of 12 years' R&D experience in medical devices, IVD, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or other regulated industries. A proven track record of at least 5 years in a leadership role, managing large technical teams, and experience in establishing, scaling, or transforming R&D or engineering organizations is essential. The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in product development, verification and validation, quality systems, and ISO 13485, as well as experience in leading complex cross-functional programs within a global environment. Strong strategic thinking, stakeholder management, communication, and leadership skills are also key requirements for this role.Functions:

• Engineering

A leading medical technology company expanding its R&D presence in Penang.