R&D Project Manager

Real Staffing; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Real Staffing Group in Irvine, CA is seeking an experienced R&D Project Manager to drive early-stage medical device product development from concept through design and verification. You will collaborate with Product Development, Systems Engineering, and engineering teams to meet milestones and ensure robust project execution.

The role focuses on smaller initial projects with growing ownership over time, reporting to R&D leadership and contributing to an innovation pipeline.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 3-5 years of project management experience supporting engineering, R&D, or new product development projects.
• Previous engineering background or hands-on engineering experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working with Product Development teams in either a project management or engineering capacity.
• Knowledge of medical device product development processes and design controls.
• Experience supporting projects in regulated industries, preferably medical devices.
• Strong communication, organization, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively within a large, matrixed organization.

Responsibilities

• Support and manage R&D and product development projects from concept through design and verification phases.
• Partner closely with Product Development, Systems Engineering, and cross-functional engineering teams to ensure project milestones, timelines, and deliverables are achieved.
• Coordinate project plans, schedules, risks, action items, and stakeholder communications.
• Facilitate project meetings and provide clear status reporting to leadership and project stakeholders.
• Assist with resource planning, budget tracking, and project documentation.
• Drive alignment across multiple functions within a complex organizational structure.
• Manage project activities associated with medical device design controls and product development processes.
• Utilize project management tools to maintain schedules, manage dependencies, and monitor project progress.

Skills

Engineering background

Cross-functional

Project management

Communication

Matrixed organization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline

Tools

JIRA

Smartsheet

Microsoft Excel

Job description

R&D Project Manager

Location: Irvine, CA - hybrid (50% Onsite)
Duration: Initial 12 month contract + extensions
Start Date: December 2026

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced R&D Project Manager to support new product development initiatives within a large medical device organization. This individual will work closely with cross-functional product development and systems engineering teams to drive early-stage development projects from concept through design and development, prior to supply chain transfer activities.

This role will initially focus on smaller-scale projects with increasing responsibility and ownership of larger product development initiatives over time. The successful candidate will report directly to the R&D leadership team and play a key role in supporting a robust innovation pipeline for existing and future products.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and manage R&D and product development projects from concept through design and verification phases.
• Partner closely with Product Development, Systems Engineering, and cross-functional engineering teams to ensure project milestones, timelines, and deliverables are achieved.
• Coordinate project plans, schedules, risks, action items, and stakeholder communications.
• Facilitate project meetings and provide clear status reporting to leadership and project stakeholders.
• Assist with resource planning, budget tracking, and project documentation.
• Drive alignment across multiple functions within a complex organizational structure.
• Manage project activities associated with medical device design controls and product development processes.
• Utilize project management tools to maintain schedules, manage dependencies, and monitor project progress.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 3-5 years of project management experience supporting engineering, R&D, or new product development projects.
• Previous engineering background or hands-on engineering experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working with Product Development teams in either a project management or engineering capacity.
• Knowledge of medical device product development processes and design controls.
• Experience supporting projects in regulated industries, preferably medical devices.
• Strong communication, organization, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively within a large, matrixed organization.
• Proficiency with:
  • JIRA (preferred)
  • Smartsheet
  • Microsoft Excel

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with capital equipment, electromechanical products, or complex medical devices.
• Medical device industry experience strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with Agile or Scrum methodologies.
• Experience supporting systems engineering activities.
• Experience managing projects through early-stage development, feasibility, design, and verification phases.

EOE Statement: Specialist Staffing Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.