Senior Director R&D

BD; Covington (GA); On-site; USD 260,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

BD is seeking a strategic Senior Director, Research & Development to lead the Acute Care Platform R&D within Urology & Critical Care. The role drives next-gen medical technologies including connected devices, software-enabled solutions, and AI/ML clinical decision support.

You will lead a global team, partner with commercial and regulatory groups, and shape a portfolio that improves patient outcomes worldwide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 12+ years of progressive R&D and new product development in the medical device industry (10+ years with an advanced degree).
• Demonstrated success leading complex medical device development programs from concept through commercialization.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams and large-scale development portfolios.
• Proven track record commercializing Class I, II, and/or III medical devices.
• Experience leading development efforts involving systems engineering, software, hardware, and capital equipment.
• Strong business acumen with experience managing budgets, resources, and investment decisions.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the Acute Care Platform R&D strategy aligned with growth objectives and innovation priorities.
• Identify market, technology, and clinical trends to drive pipeline development and portfolio expansion.
• Partner with Commercial and Leadership teams to develop innovation roadmaps and investment strategies.
• Build business cases for new technologies, products, and platform opportunities.
• Lead end-to-end product development activities from concept through commercialization.
• Direct complex development programs involving hardware, software, systems engineering, informatics, and connected solutions.
• Ensure adherence to development processes, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee design reviews, risk management, verification/validation, and product transfer to manufacturing.
• Drive innovation through customer insights, technology scouting, and external collaborations.
• Lead global cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Collaborate with Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Medical Affairs, and Commercial teams.
• Engage with external experts and strategic partners.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and talent development.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related technical discipline

Master's degree, MBA, or PhD

Job description

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.

Senior Director, Research & Development

Position Summary

BD is seeking a strategic and innovative Senior Director, Research & Development to lead the Acute Care Platform R&D organization within the Urology & Critical Care (UCC) business. This leader will drive the development and commercialization of next-generation medical technologies, including connected devices, capital equipment, software-enabled solutions, and AI/ML-driven clinical decision support systems.

The Senior Director will provide technical, operational, and people leadership across a portfolio of new product development and sustaining engineering initiatives. This role partners closely with Commercial, Marketing, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing, and external stakeholders to identify unmet customer needs, shape platform strategy, and deliver differentiated solutions that improve patient outcomes worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute the Acute Care Platform R&D strategy aligned with business growth objectives and long-term innovation priorities.
• Identify emerging market, technology, and clinical trends to drive pipeline development and portfolio expansion.
• Partner with Commercial and Business Leadership teams to develop innovation roadmaps and investment strategies.
• Build business cases for new technologies, products, and platform opportunities.

Product Development & Innovation

• Lead end-to-end product development activities from concept through commercialization.
• Direct complex development programs involving hardware, software, systems engineering, informatics, and connected healthcare solutions.
• Ensure adherence to product development processes, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee design reviews, risk management activities, verification and validation strategies, and product transfer to manufacturing.
• Drive innovation through customer insights, technology scouting, and external collaborations.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead global, cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Establish priorities, remove barriers to execution, and elevate critical risks when necessary.
• Collaborate with Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Medical Affairs, and Commercial teams to achieve business objectives.
• Engage with external experts, key opinion leaders, healthcare providers, and strategic partners.

People Leadership

• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing team of scientists, engineers, and technical leaders.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and talent development.
• Drive performance management, organizational effectiveness, and leadership capability across the function.

Operational & Financial Management

• Manage departmental budgets, resource plans, and capital expenditure investments.
• Ensure effective allocation of people, funding, and technical resources across strategic priorities.
• Monitor program performance through metrics, milestones, and governance reviews.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, quality, and speed to market.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 12+ years of progressive R&D and new product development experience in the medical device industry (10+ years with an advanced degree).
• Demonstrated success leading complex medical device development programs from concept through commercialization.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams and large-scale development portfolios.
• Proven track record commercializing Class I, II, and/or III medical devices.
• Experience leading development efforts involving systems engineering, software, hardware, and capital equipment.
• Strong business acumen with experience managing budgets, resources, and investment decisions.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred

• Master's degree, MBA, or PhD.
• Experience in Urology, Critical Care, Informatics, or Connected Devices.
• Experience building and leading global, cross-functional organizations.
• Knowledge of FDA medical device regulations and quality systems.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Innovation & Growth Mindset
• Customer Focus
• Organizational Leadership

Why Join BD?

At BD, we are advancing the world of health by developing innovative solutions that improve clinical outcomes and enhance patient care. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of Acute Care technologies while leading a talented team dedicated to making a meaningful impact on healthcare worldwide.

Why Join Us?

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 GA - Covington BMD