Research and Development Supervisor

Advantage Technical; Minnesota; On-site; USD 59,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Advantage Technical is seeking an experienced R&D Supervisor for a potential temp-to-perm opportunity supporting a fast-paced medical device organization. The role leads laboratory personnel and oversees product development, design verification, method development, regulatory activities, and broader R&D initiatives.

The ideal candidate has a technical background in chemistry, biology, engineering, or related fields and several years of hands-on leadership experience, with strong analytical

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 4 years in R&D, laboratory operations, analytical testing, or related regulated function.
• Minimum 2 years of leadership experience including direct people leadership.
• Experience in a regulated industry; medical device experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop laboratory personnel while fostering a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
• Manage daily laboratory operations, testing priorities, resource allocation, and project deliverables.
• Coordinate laboratory testing, method development, qualification, validation, and troubleshooting activities.
• Establish project priorities and allocate resources based on business and R&D needs.
• Maintain and expand laboratory capabilities, infrastructure, equipment, and resource planning.
• Support capital equipment planning and laboratory investment strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on laboratory efficiency, quality, productivity, and customer support.
• Develop and monitor laboratory metrics, project status, workload, and resource capacity.
• Communicate laboratory performance, risks, priorities, and project progress to management and key stakeholders.
• Partner cross-functionally with R&D, Design Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Process Development, Manufacturing, Clinical, and Quality.
• Support product development, design verification testing, regulatory submissions, and other R&D programs.
• Ensure laboratory activities are performed in compliance with applicable quality systems, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Analytical skills

Statistical analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Science, or related

Tools

DOE

Minitab

Job description

Advantage Technical is seeking an experienced R&D Supervisor for a potential temp-to-perm opportunity supporting a fast-paced medical device organization.

This position is ideal for a technically strong laboratory professional with a background in chemistry, biology, engineering, analytical sciences, or a related field who also brings hands-on leadership experience. The R&D Supervisor will lead laboratory personnel and operations while supporting product development, design verification, method development, regulatory activities, and broader R&D initiatives.

Contract Pay Rate: Up to $51.50/hour (Contract to Perm Opportunity)

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop laboratory personnel while fostering a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
• Manage daily laboratory operations, testing priorities, resource allocation, and project deliverables.
• Coordinate laboratory testing, method development, qualification, validation, and troubleshooting activities.
• Establish project priorities and allocate resources based on business and R&D needs.
• Maintain and expand laboratory capabilities, infrastructure, equipment, and resource planning.
• Support capital equipment planning and laboratory investment strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on laboratory efficiency, quality, productivity, and customer support.
• Develop and monitor laboratory metrics, project status, workload, and resource capacity.
• Communicate laboratory performance, risks, priorities, and project progress to management and key stakeholders.
• Partner cross-functionally with R&D, Design Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Process Development, Manufacturing, Clinical, and Quality.
• Support product development, design verification testing, regulatory submissions, and other R&D programs.
• Ensure laboratory activities are performed in compliance with applicable quality systems, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Technical Qualifications

• Strong understanding of laboratory operations within a regulated environment.
• Experience with test method development, qualification, validation, and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of design verification and product development processes.
• Experience with statistical analysis and data interpretation.
• Familiarity with DOE, Minitab, data trending, and statistical methodologies.
• Strong project management, planning, prioritization, and organizational skills.
• Ability to analyze technical data and make sound recommendations.

Leadership Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading technical or laboratory teams.
• Ability to manage changing priorities and evolving business needs.
• Experience assigning resources, setting direction, and supporting multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong coaching, mentoring, and employee-development skills.
• Proven ability to drive results through cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.

Quality Responsibilities

• Maintain a strong commitment to patient safety and product quality.
• Ensure laboratory activities comply with applicable quality policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain appropriate resources to support Quality System compliance.
• Promote a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in R&D, laboratory operations, analytical testing, method development, quality, or a related technical function within a regulated environment.
• Minimum 2 years of leadership experience, including direct people leadership, project leadership, or technical team leadership.
• Previous experience in a regulated industry, with medical device experience strongly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, written communication, organizational, and leadership skills.