Research & Development Manager

Kinexcs; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A cutting-edge health technology company in Singapore is seeking an experienced R&D & IP Manager to drive the development of IoT-enabled medical devices. This role requires a strong technical background and expertise in intellectual property management, as well as leadership skills to guide cross-functional teams throughout the product lifecycle. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in medical device development and IP strategies.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in research and development of medical devices.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing the entire product lifecycle.
• Familiarity with patent filing and IP management processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of IoT-enabled wearable medical devices.
• Oversee cross-functional teams for product integration.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards for production.

Skills

Deep technical know-how

Strong IP management

Experience with IoT-enabled devices

Leadership in cross-functional teams

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Kinexcs is an AI-driven digital health platform and wearables company with a mission to enable and empower people for mobility and a better quality of life. It is focused on reducing the burden of musculoskeletal conditions, which affects about 25% of the world’s population.

Their 1st product, KIMIA Recover, a continuous monitoring device for the knee joint, has obtained CE marking and HSA approval, and booked revenues from large implant companies and hospitals. It has recently won the Innomatch grant by the Temasek Foundation (one of the 6 among 256 companies across 32 countries), and is currently deployed in some of the largest public hospitals in Singapore. KIMIA Recover is a comprehensive recovery management solution providing reduction in number of hospital visits and complications. The product was also the National Winner and International Top 20 of the prestigious James Dyson Award 2020, and has gained traction with major public hospitals and orthopedic clinics. Their digital therapy platform, consisting of KIMIA Assess and KIMIA Move products, uses artificial intelligence technology for digital MSK assessment and therapy. This platform is capable of providing pre-consultation assessments and real‑time exercise guidance and feedback to musculoskeletal patients, and is being adopted by some of the largest private healthcare providers in the region, along with large corporate players.

Role Overview:

We are seeking a passionate and experienced R&D & IP Manager to drive the development of next‑gen IoT‑based medical devices and manage the strategic protection of our intellectual property. This role blends deep technical know‑how with strong IP management, playing a critical part in Kinexcs’ product evolution and innovation lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities:

Research & Development

• Lead the design, prototyping, testing, and validation of IoT‑enabled wearable medical devices.
• Design and implement technical roadmaps to deliver advanced IoT‑enabled rehabilitation solutions, ensuring alignment with company strategy.
• Oversee cross‑functional teams (electronics, embedded systems, software, data analytics) to integrate sensors, wearables, and user‑centric features
• Collaborate with regulatory affairs and clinical teams for product compliance and validation.
• Drive technical documentation aligned with medical device quality standards
• Stay current on technological advancements and best practices related to digital health, AI, IoT, and medical device sectors.

Intellectual Property Management

• Develop and execute strategies protecting Kinexcs’ core IP: patents, trade secrets, and trademarks connected to IoT device designs, algorithms, and platforms.
• Conduct IP landscape analysis and freedom‑to‑operate reviews; liaise with external IP counsel as needed.
• Guide inventors and R&D teams through invention disclosure, patent filing, and prosecution processes.
• Monitor competitor activity and emerging technologies, advising leadership on IP risks, opportunities, and portfolio development.

Production Management

• Oversee the scaling up of production from pilot prototypes to full‑scale manufacturing, ensuring quality, consistency, and traceability.
• Define production workflows, vendor qualification processes, and quality assurance protocols.
• Collaborate with manufacturing partners, component suppliers, and contract manufacturers to manage BOM, lead times, cost optimization, and delivery schedules.
• Ensure all production processes comply with regulatory and quality standards for medical devices.
• Resolve technical challenges in production, including component sourcing, device calibration, and testing.

Technology Strategy & Roadmapping

• Define the product and technology roadmap for current and future device platforms.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and translate clinical/user needs into actionable R&D initiatives.
• Foster partnerships with academic institutions, external labs, and component vendors to accelerate innovation.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Mentor and develop engineers, scientists, and technologists in state‑of‑the‑art R&D and IP best practices.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in processes, documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Engage with external partners (universities, research institutes, clinical advisors) for co‑development, licensing, and assessment of technologies.
• Contribute to business case development, market assessment, and technical due diligence for new ventures or product additions.