Director, Research and Development

Stryker; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 156,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Wellbeing program

401(k) plan and ESPP

Job summary

Stryker Sustainability Solutions seeks a Director of Research & Development to lead global innovation, product development, and regulatory strategy for sustainable growth. The role oversees R&D, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, and Program Management to deliver new and expanded offerings.

You will drive strategy, ensure FDA/EU compliance, and mentor a high-performing team across functions while advancing portfolio success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical field; master’s preferred.
• 12+ years in medical device, pharma, biotech, or similarly regulated industry.
• 6+ years direct people management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead global R&D programs from concept to commercialization.
• Drive product development strategy and cross-functional execution.
• Ensure successful transitions into manufacturing with collaboration.
• Oversee project planning, resources, milestones, and portfolio performance.
• Foster Lean and problem-solving to drive continuous improvement.
• Provide regulatory leadership for FDA, EU, and other requirements.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing, diverse team.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Negotiation

Problem solving

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or applicable technical field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

GMP/QSR Knowledge

ISO Standards Knowledge

Job description

The Director, Research & Development is responsible for leading Stryker Sustainability Solutions (SSS) innovation, product development, and regulatory strategy to deliver sustainable business growth. This leader oversees the development and commercialization of new and expanded product offerings, ensures compliance with global regulatory requirements, and drives execution across R&D, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, and Program Management functions.

What You Will Do

Strategic & Enterprise Leadership

• Serve as a key member of the Business Unit Leadership Team (BULT), helping shape business strategy and enterprise priorities.
• Establish and execute functional and departmental strategies aligned to business goals.
• Drive organizational alignment, decision-making, and resolution of complex business challenges.
• Identify and advance growth opportunities across product portfolios and business units.

Product Development & Innovation

• Lead global research and development programs from concept through commercialization.
• Drive product development strategy, processes, and execution across the organization.
• Ensure successful product transitions into manufacturing through strong cross-functional collaboration.
• Oversee project planning, resource allocation, schedules, milestones, and portfolio performance.
• Foster innovation and continuous improvement through Lean and problem-solving methodologies.

Regulatory Affairs, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with FDA, EU, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Provide leadership for design controls, product development documentation, and quality system processes.
• Support and strengthen Quality Management System initiatives and performance metrics.
• Review and approve technical and regulatory deliverables to ensure compliance and product quality.

Customer & Market Engagement

• Lead customer-focused innovation and research activities, partnering with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and external stakeholders to inform product strategy.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and market opportunities to support long-term growth.
• Ensure customer needs remain central to product and portfolio decisions.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner across R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, Marketing, Finance, Manufacturing, and other functions to achieve business objectives.
• Drive alignment across teams, divisions, customers, and key stakeholders.
• Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives that advance innovation and business performance.

Financial & Operational Leadership

• Own departmental budgets, resource planning, and financial performance.
• Drive financial accountability across programs, projects, and cost centers.
• Monitor portfolio performance through effective reporting, metrics, and governance.
• Ensure efficient use of resources while balancing strategic priorities and business objectives.

Talent Leadership & Team Development

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing, diverse, and engaged R&D organization.
• Attract, retain, and develop top talent through coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Create a culture of accountability, inclusion, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Develop future leaders and maintain a strong talent pipeline.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or applicable technical field; master’s degree preferred
• 12+ years applicable experience in medical device, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology or a similarly regulated industry
• 6+ years direct people management experience preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent cross-functional team leadership capabilities
• Strong negotiation, problem solving, organization and communication skills
• Business development experience preferred
• 510K and premarket submission experience preferred
• Working knowledge of FDA (GMP/QSR) and ISO requirements
• Broad and comprehensive understanding of, experience in, and ability to mentor in one or more technical / functional disciplines.
• Talented performance coach who is skilled at providing actionable feedback to team members, setting clear performance objectives and managing team member performance.
• Advanced understanding that contributes to the overall business strategy relative to the healthcare market and competitors, conversant in clinical issues of relevance to Stryker.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex plans and technical information to team members and executive leaders across divisions.
• Proven ability to deliver programs or other business goals on time, on quality and within budget.

United States of America Pay Ranges

• USN: $155,900 - $259,700 USD Annual

View the U.S. work location and transparency guide to find the pay range for your location.

Health benefits include: Medical and prescription drug insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, critical illness insurance, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, personalized healthcare support, wellbeing program and tobacco cessation program. Financial benefits include: Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), 401(k) plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), basic life and AD&D insurance, and short-term disability insurance. Stryker offers innovative products and services in MedSurg, Neurotechnology, Orthopaedics and Spine that help improve patient and healthcare outcomes. Alongside its customers around the world, Stryker impacts more than 150 million patients annually. Depending on customer requirements employees and new hires in sales and field roles that require access to customer accounts as a function of the job may be required to obtain various vaccinations as an essential function of their role.