Director, Systems Engineering– Pharmacy Automation

BD; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 190,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

BD is seeking a senior Systems Engineering leader to guide a global team across hardware and software development. You will define standards, advance lifecycle practices, and ensure design controls and risk management across geographies.

This in-office role in Durham requires four days on site with up to one remote day, plus 15-25% travel domestically and internationally. You’ll partner with hardware, software, UXD, QA, and regulatory teams to deliver high-quality, compliant products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or related field; 12+ years in engineering.
• 5+ years leading engineering teams across multiple sites.
• Deep expertise in systems engineering for hardware/software in regulated environments.
• Willingness to travel 15-25% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the global Systems Engineering team across geographies.
• Own the Systems Engineering excellence program with standards and templates.
• Ensure consistent application of systems engineering from user needs to verification/validation.
• Partner with Hardware, Software, UXD, Manufacturing, Quality, and Regulatory leaders.
• Provide oversight and resource management for SE staff across portfolios.
• Drive continuous improvement of the SE lifecycle within QMS and risk management.
• Champion talent strategy including hiring, coaching, and succession planning.
• Lead MBSE initiatives and architecture governance.
• Foster culture of technical rigor and psychological safety.

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

Staffing & performance mgmt

Requirements management

MBSE

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or related

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

PRD tooling

Traceability tools

Job description

We Are The People Who Give Possibilities Purpose

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

Job Description

We are the makers of possible

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

We believe that the human element, across our global teams, is what allows us to continually evolve. Join us and discover an environment in which you’ll be supported to learn, grow and become your best self. Become a maker of possible with us.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the global Systems Engineering team, including Systems Engineers and Systems Delivery Leads, ensuring appropriate staffing, career growth, and performance management across geographies.
• Own and mature the Systems Engineering functional excellence program, including standards, tools, templates, and ways of working for user needs capture, requirements management, system architecture, and integration.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality application of systems engineering discipline across projects, from early user needs and Product Requirements Documents (PRDs) through design verification, validation, and post-launch sustaining.
• Partner closely with Hardware, Software, UXD, Manufacturing, Quality, and Regulatory functional leaders to drive integrated development approaches and align on cross-functional standards and hand-offs.
• Provide functional oversight and resource management for Systems Engineering staff assigned to portfolios and projects, balancing capacity, capability, and priorities in partnership with Portfolio Leads and Core Team Leaders.
• Drive continuous improvement of the systems engineering lifecycle within the QMS, ensuring design control compliance, robust traceability, and effective risk management practices.
• Champion talent strategy for the function, recruiting, onboarding, mentoring, and building succession plans for systems engineering roles across the U.S. and EU sites.
• Represent Systems Engineering on the R&D Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy, annual planning (ASR), budget reviews, and functional capability roadmaps.
• Lead functional excellence initiatives that improve how the organization moves from user needs to finished product, including model-based systems engineering (MBSE), requirements tooling, and architecture governance.
• Foster a culture of technical rigor, collaboration, psychological safety, and continuous learning within the Systems Engineering community.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical, Software, Biomedical Engineering, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree strongly preferred.
• 12+ years of engineering experience, including 5+ years of direct people leadership responsibility managing engineering teams or functions.
• Proven experience leading a Systems Engineering function or discipline within a complex, multi-site, hardware/software product development environment.
• Deep expertise in systems engineering fundamentals for both Hardware and Software: user needs definition, requirements management, system architecture, concept selection, interface definition, integration, risk analysis, test development, design transfer, and verification & validation.
• Strong understanding of design controls, risk management, and quality management systems in a regulated industry; medical device experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build and mature engineering functions, establishing standards, tools, competency models, and ways of working that scale across teams and geographies.
• Track record of developing engineering talent, including hiring, coaching, mentoring, career pathing, and performance management across levels (individual contributor through manager).
• Proficient in product development lifecycle (both waterfall & agile product development processes) and design control.
• DFSS expert certification is a plus.
• Experience operating in a matrixed organization, partnering effectively with Portfolio Leaders, Core Team Leaders, and peer functional leaders (Hardware, Software, UXD, PMO, Quality, Regulatory).
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for executive and cross-functional audiences.
• Understanding of, or experience working in, outpatient, retail, and/or central pharmacy would be a differentiator.
• Willingness to travel 15-25% domestically and internationally to support U.S. and European teams.
• This position is an in-office role, requiring 4 days/week in office in Durham and allowing up 1 days/week remote work.

This is a unique opportunity to join a rapidly growing team and make a significant impact on the future of healthcare. If you are a passionate and driven leader with a desire to build a world-class systems engineering team, we want to hear from you!

Why Join Us?

A career at BD means being part of a team that values your opinions and contributions and that encourages you to bring your authentic self to work. It’s also a place where we help each other be great, we do what’s right, we hold each other accountable, and learn and improve every day.

You will learn and work alongside inspirational leaders and colleagues who are equally passionate and committed to fostering an inclusive, growth-centered, and rewarding culture. You will have the opportunity to help shape the trajectory of BD while leaving a legacy at the same time. And through the organization’s investment in BD University, you will continually level up your tech skills and expertise.

To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of health. At BD, you’ll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive. And find satisfaction in doing your part to make the world a better place.

To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of healthcare. At BD, you’ll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive.

We believe that when people connect in person, we learn faster, collaborate more deeply, and build a stronger culture. Join us and enjoy a culture where face-to-face collaboration supports your learning, your progress, and your success.

To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers.

Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Primary Work Location

USA NC - Durham - Roche Drive