Director, R&D Engineering

Innovation starts from the heart. Edwards Lifesciences is the global leader of patient-focused innovations for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring. With millions of patients served in over 100 countries, each team makes a meaningful contribution by improving patient outcomes and discovering lasting solutions for unmet patient needs.

Make a meaningful difference to patients around the world. This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional Scientist or Engineer leader with significant experience to join the Tissue & Biotechnology (TaB) Center of Excellence (CoE).  As the Director of our Excellence team, you will lead a team of multidisciplinary scientists and engineers to engage and collaborate with internal and external partners to drive innovation by supporting discovery, exploration, development and sustaining projects focused on next generation technologies for our devices.   You will leverage your knowledge in all phases of product development to provide strategic and strong technical guidance with multiple functions such as R&D, quality, marketing, regulatory and manufacturing across all the various Edwards business units and global manufacturing sites.   As a leader of the Tissue & Biotechnology Center of Excellence, you will have a unique opportunity to significantly contribute to our innovative culture, growth and development of our talent while harnessing your strategic mindset as we plan and execute for the future.  This position reports directly to the VP, Engineering, Tissue & Biotechnology Center of Excellence, Transcatheter Heart Valve.

How you’ll make an impact:

• Lead a high performing, multi-disciplinary team to support advanced tissue technologies for all Edwards valve platforms.

• Design and implement service-focused strategies for world-class level partnership and efficient service delivery.

• Engage with stakeholders to effectively collaborate and develop trusting relationships with Edwards Innovation center, other Centers of Excellence, business development, New Product Development (NPD), New Product Introduction (NPI) teams and global manufacturing sites to support discovery and development projects and operational integration of novel tissue technologies for structural heart applications.

• Advance CoE competencies to support tissue and alternative material characterization as we develop novel technologies.

• Build deeper understanding of patient needs to drive device requirements through assessment of returned valves, pre-clinical and clinical results, publications and SME partnership.

• Develop a robust talent development & succession plan in alignment with TaB CoE growth strategies.

What you’ll need (Required):

• Bachelor’s in engineering or scientific discipline with 12+ years of experience in a highly regulated industry such as med device, pharma or biotech.

• Master's Degree or equivalent with 10+ years of experience in a highly regulated industry such as med device, pharma or biotech.

• 5+ years of experience in a people leadership role

• Demonstrated success leading technical professionals and managing large and diverse groups of stakeholders.

• Strong technical knowledge and leadership in research and development of medical devices or related field including method development, pre-clinical testing and product development process with balance in business strategy. 

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills for a wide variety of audiences, including senior management

What else we look for (Preferred):

• Advanced degree in engineering or scientific discipline (highly preferred)

• Histopathology or medical device background (highly preferred)

• Working knowledge of structural heart disease, cardiology, interventional and/or surgical techniques and procedures (highly preferred)

• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills with a high degree of discretion & judgment.

• Ability to translate complex information into high level strategic and practical planning and execution

• Ability to influence, motivate and inspire employees, stakeholders, and senior leadership.

• Strong leadership skills with an ability to set a vision and develop others

• Motivates teams to achieve individual and program-specific objectives

• Demonstrates outstanding business acumen and excellent judgement

• Manages multiple tasks through effective prioritization

• Must enjoy a fast-paced, complex, and dynamic work environment

• Consistently pushes self and others to achieve challenging goals and objectives with a track record of executional success based on integrity.

Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families.

For California, the base pay range for this position is $152,000 to $216,000 (highly experienced).

The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.   

Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.

COVID Vaccination Requirement

Edwards is committed to protecting our vulnerable patients and the healthcare providers who are treating them. As such, all patient-facing and in-hospital positions require COVID-19 vaccination. If hired into a covered role, as a condition of employment, you will be required to submit proof that you have been vaccinated for COVID-19, unless you request and are granted a medical or religious accommodation for exemption from the vaccination requirement. This vaccination requirement does not apply in locations where it is prohibited by law to impose vaccination.