Manager, Verification & Validation

Cochlear; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Cochlear in Kuala Lumpur seeks a Manager of Verification & Validation and Product Lifecycle Engineering. You will lead embedded software, product and system V&V, and lifecycle engineering, ensuring compliant delivery aligned with global release priorities.

You’ll partner with local and global teams across V&V, Systems Engineering, Quality, R&D and Project Management, driving capability and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering with embedded software exposure.
• Experience in R&D environments—systems, product, electronics, firmware design or testing.
• Proven people leadership of senior technical teams.
• Strong understanding of verification and validation principles, methods and tools.
• Experience in regulated, quality-driven environments.
• Experience working in cross-functional, matrixed and global settings.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor V&V team leaders and lifecycle engineers within Cochlear's product vertical.
• Govern V&V and lifecycle engineering delivery to ensure high-quality releases within the quality management system.
• Build strong partnerships with local and global stakeholders across V&V, Systems Engineering, Quality, R&D and Project Management.
• Align local deliverables and long-term vision with global V&V strategies and standards.
• Represent KL in global planning, prioritisation and continuous improvement forums.

Skills

Leadership experience

V&V principles

Cross-functional collaboration

Written & verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical/Electronics preferred)

Job description

The Opportunity

Based in Kuala Lumpur, the Manager, Verification & Validation and Product Lifecycle Engineering plays a critical leadership role within Cochlear's Sound Processors product vertical. You will lead teams responsible for embedded software, product and system V&V, and lifecycle engineering, ensuring V&V and lifecycle engineering activities are efficient, effective, compliant, and tightly aligned to global release priorities. This role works in close partnership with local and global stakeholders across Verification & Validation, Systems Engineering, Embedded Software, Quality, Project Management and R&D. You will champion verification and lifecycle engineering thinking, grow local technical capability, and contribute to the continuous improvement of Cochlear's global V&V and lifecycle engineering disciplines.

People Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, mentor and manage V&V team leaders and product lifecycle engineers within the product vertical.
• Build a high‑performing, inclusive and feedback‑rich team culture using Cochlear people practices.
• Coach and develop team members through clear technical and leadership career pathways.
• Drive recruitment, onboarding and succession planning to build future capability.
• Advocate for team needs, ensuring access to the tools, resources and support required for success.
• Manage team engagement, communication and conflict effectively.

Verification, Validation & Lifecycle Engineering Delivery

• Lead and govern V&V and lifecycle engineering delivery to enable high‑quality, releases within quality management system.
• Set clear expectations for V&V quality, coverage, traceability and evidence completeness.
• Provide escalation leadership for complex V&V or lifecycle engineering challenges, ensuring timely resolution.
• Ensure consistent application of platform and variant V&V strategies, balancing reuse, efficiency and coverage.

Global Stakeholder Partnership & Alignment

• Build strong, trusted partnerships with local and global stakeholders across V&V, Systems Engineering, Quality, R&D and Project Management.
• Act as the primary interface for V&V and lifecycle engineering in KL within the sound processor systems department.
• Provide transparent communication on delivery status, risks, capacity and dependencies.
• Align local deliverables, mechanisms of operation, and long‑term vision and strategies for teams in KL with global V&V strategies, processes and standards while contributing local insights.
• Represent KL in global planning, prioritisation and continuous improvement forums.

About You.

As we grow our operations, we are looking for people who share our passion delivering safe, effective, and high-quality hearing solutions. To add value to Cochlear in this role, you'll be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Degree in Engineering (Electrical or Electronics preferred), with embedded software exposure.
• Experience in systems, product, electrical, electronics, firmware design, development or testing within R&D environments.
• Proven people leadership experience, including leading senior technical teams.
• Strong understanding of verification and validation principles, methods and tools.
• Experience operating in regulated, quality‑driven.
• Experience operating in cross‑functional, matrixed and global environments.
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skill.

What Would Make You Stand Out

• Experience working in medical devices or other highly regulated industries, combined with exposure to Product Lifecycle Engineering and platform or variant‑based V&V strategies.
• Experience working in design, development or testing using product family engineering methodology.
• Demonstrated experience with successfully developing and shaping a high‑performing technical team under uncertainty, change and challenge.
• Role model and cultural champion in line with Cochlear's mission and HEAR behaviours.

Why this role is for you?

This role offers the opportunity to influence product quality and patient outcomes at scale. You'll lead teams, shape V&V strategy, and work globally to ensure Cochlear's sound processors meet the highest standards of safety, quality and performance - while continuing to grow your leadership and technical impact.

How we recognise your contribution

We want Cochlear to be a place where our people enjoy coming to work. Through our internal programs and employee benefits we aim to create an environment where our people will feel valued and supported. Whether your focus is on continuous learning, professional development or simply finding an environment which enables you to thrive whilst balancing family or personal life commitments, then we have several programs in place to support you.