Principal R&D Engineer

About the role:

We're looking for a Principal R&D Engineer to join our Infusion Care R&D team and play a key role in shaping the next generation of products and technologies. This is a highly visible technical leadership position where you'll lead customer projects, new product development initiatives, and change control activities across a global portfolio of medical devices.

As we expand our focus beyond product remediation and into exciting new development opportunities, you'll have the chance to influence product strategy, challenge existing ways of working, drive continuous improvement, and collaborate with cross-functional teams across R&D, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Commercial, and Manufacturing.

This role is ideal for someone who combines strong technical expertise with sound judgement, a proactive mindset, and the confidence to lead projects, make decisions, and influence stakeholders at all levels.

An exciting future in Manchester

Convatec has announced a major milestone in our R&D journey and commitment to our vision of pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch. We have unveiled plans to relocate the majority of our UK-based research and development (R&D) activities from Deeside to Manchester from late 2027/early 2028, alongside a significant expansion of our facilities in Boston. 

The new, planned Manchester facility has the potential to be a major R&D hub in our global network which will initially function as the company’s global testing laboratories, with cutting-edge analytical R&D capabilities including quality control and materials, regulatory functions, and health innovation, positioning Convatec at the forefront of medical technology development. Our new state-of-the-art facilities will also strengthen our collaboration with Manchester’s vibrant life sciences ecosystem, which includes leading universities, hospitals, and research institutions.

Your key duties and responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership for new product development, customer projects, and product lifecycle management activities.
• Lead design and development activities in accordance with Design Control and regulatory requirements.
• Drive change control projects across existing products, components, materials, packaging, labelling, and manufacturing processes.
• Own and maintain Design History Files (DHFs), risk management documentation, and Design Control records.
• Lead technical investigations, root cause analysis activities, CAPAs, and non-conformance assessments.
• Make data-driven recommendations and provide clear technical direction for complex engineering challenges.
• Work closely with cross-functional stakeholders including Operations, Commercial, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, and external partners.
• Influence project teams by challenging assumptions, identifying opportunities for improvement, and driving effective solutions.
• Support the development of more efficient and effective R&D processes while promoting best practices across the organisation.
• Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles to ensure robust, scalable product designs.
• Mentor colleagues and provide technical guidance that helps the wider team achieve shared goals.
• Stay at the forefront of industry developments through technical research, publications, patents, supplier engagement, and professional networking.

Skills & Experience:

Essential

• Significant experience in medical devices, drug delivery systems, pharmaceutical products, or another highly regulated life sciences environment.
• Strong expertise in Design Control and management of Design History Files (DHFs).
• Proven experience leading product development and change control projects.
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions, assess risk, and drive projects forward with minimal supervision.
• Experience influencing cross-functional stakeholders and leading technical discussions.
• Excellent problem-solving and root cause investigation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

Desirable

• Experience using CAD software, particularly SolidWorks.
• Knowledge of ISO 13485, ISO 14971, and FDA 21 CFR Part 820 requirements.
• Experience with RCA methodologies including 5 Whys, Ishikawa Diagrams, and FMEA.
• Project management experience.
• Experience improving engineering or development processes through simplification, efficiency, or continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications/Education:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Design Engineering, Medical Engineering, or another relevant STEM discipline.

Travel Requirements:

• Position may involve travel up to 10% of the time, mostly within Europe but overseas travel is expected. Most trips will include overnight travel.

Working Conditions:

• Remote working with occasional requirement to work onsite at Deeside’s Global Development Centre.
• Global Development Centre (GDC) will move to Manchester once Convatec completes its transition to the new R&D Hub in late 2027/early 2028.

Special Factors

• Convatec is a multi-national company, therefore a degree of flexibility in the working day may be required when working with non-UK based colleagues.

Ready to join us?

At Convatec, we’re pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch. If you’re ready to make a real impact, apply today and help us bring our Forever Caring promise to life.

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A formal recruitment process is required for all our opportunities prior to any offer of employment. This will include an interview confirmed by an official Convatec email address.

If you receive a suspicious approach over social media, text message, email or phone call about recruitment at Convatec, do not disclose any personal information or pay any fees whatsoever. If you’re unsure, please contact us at [email protected].

Equal opportunities

Convatec provides equal employment opportunities for all current employees and applicants for employment. This policy means that no one will be discriminated against because of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, nationality, citizenship, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, genetic predisposing characteristics or any other basis prohibited by law.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives

Convatec is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Convatec employee by a third party agency and/or search firm without a valid written and signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Convatec. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.

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About Convatec

Pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch:

Convatec is a global medical products and technologies company, focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, with leading positions in Advanced Wound Care, Ostomy Care, Continence Care, and Infusion Care. With over 10,000 colleagues, we provide products and services in around 90 countries, united by a promise to be forever caring. Our solutions provide a range of benefits, from infection prevention, treatment for hard to heal wounds, at-risk skin and ulcerated tissue to supporting debilitating conditions, improved patient outcomes and reduced care costs. Convatec's revenues in 2025 were over $2 billion. The company is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index (LSE:CTEC). To learn more please visit: http://www.convatecgroup.com.