Senior Director Research & Development

Posted 11 Days Ago
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Stockport, Cheshire, England, GBR
In-Office
Senior level
Appliances • Industrial • Manufacturing
The Role
Lead a global R&D organization of approximately 50 engineers and scientists, setting research strategy, technology roadmaps, product development priorities, sustaining engineering, and lifecycle governance. Drive stage-gate process improvements, innovation, operational excellence, leadership development, and portfolio prioritization. Partner with product management, operations, supply chain, quality, service, and commercial teams to connect technical investments with customer value, growth, and business outcomes.
Summary Generated by Built In

Build a career powered by innovations that matter!  At Novanta, our innovations power technology products that are transforming healthcare and advanced manufacturing—improving productivity, enhancing people’s lives and redefining what’s possible.  We create for our global customers engineered components and sub-systems that deliver extreme precision and performance for a range of mission-critical applications—from minimally invasive surgery to robotics to 3D metal printing.

Novanta is one global team with over 26 offices located in The Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.  Looking for a great place to work?  You have found it with a culture that embraces teamwork, collaboration and empowerment.  Come explore Novanta.

Senior Director - Research & DevelopmentLaser TechnologiesStockport, UKShape the Future of Advanced Laser Technology
At Novanta, our technologies help power some of the world's most advanced applications, from life-changing medical innovations and robotics to semiconductor manufacturing and industrial automation.
We are seeking an exceptional R&D Leader to shape the future of our Laser Technologies business.
This is more than an engineering leadership role.
You will lead the strategy, capability development and execution of a globally respected R&D organisation responsible for creating technologies that solve complex customer challenges worldwide.
The Opportunity:
As a key member of the leadership team, you will lead approximately 50 engineers and scientists while defining the future technology roadmap for a business generating more than $120M in revenue.
You will oversee:
  • Research and innovation strategy
  • Technology roadmaps
  • New product development
  • Sustaining engineering
  • Portfolio prioritisation
  • Engineering leadership development
  • Product lifecycle governance
You will partner closely with Product Management, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Service and Commercial teams to ensure technology investments translate into measurable customer and business value.
What you will do:Lead Innovation
Define and execute the technology and R&D strategy that shapes future product platforms and market opportunities.
Drive Operational Excellence
Strengthen stage-gate development processes while improving predictability, quality, speed and commercial outcomes.
Develop Leaders
Build organisational capability through coaching, succession planning and leadership development.
Influence Business Strategy
Connect technical investments with growth objectives, customer value and long-term market opportunities.
What we are looking for:
  • Extensive experience developing complex technology products
  • Senior leadership experience within R&D or Engineering
  • Proven portfolio and organisational leadership capability
  • Technology roadmap ownership
  • Stage-gate product development expertise
  • Commercial and financial acumen
  • Experience leading multifunctional engineering teams
  • Ability to influence executive-level decision making
  • Strong technical credibility in complex technical environments
Highly Relevant Industry Backgrounds
  • Photonics
  • Lasers
  • Semiconductor equipment
  • Medical technology
  • Advanced manufacturing
  • Scientific instrumentation
  • Complex electromechanical systems
Why Novanta?
  • Strategic executive-level influence
  • Global technology leadership
  • Significant R&D investment responsibility
  • Leading-edge innovation
  • Strong growth trajectory
  • Opportunity to shape future technology platforms
If you are a visionary technology leader who combines engineering excellence with business leadership, we would welcome a conversation. Reach out to Rebecca Pelham to discuss further, or apply today.

We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, for example with applications, interviews, or assessments, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner. We will work with you to understand your needs and make appropriate arrangements so you can perform at your best.

Novanta is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, military and veteran status, disability, genetics, or any other category protected by federal law or Novanta policy.

Please call +1 781-266-5700 if you need a disability accommodation for any part of the employment process.

Skills Required

  • Extensive experience developing complex technology products
  • Senior leadership experience within R&D or engineering
  • Proven portfolio and organizational leadership capability
  • Experience owning technology roadmaps
  • Stage-gate product development expertise
  • Commercial and financial acumen
  • Experience leading multifunctional engineering teams
  • Ability to influence executive-level decision-making
  • Strong technical credibility in complex technical environments
  • Experience in photonics, lasers, semiconductor equipment, medical technology, advanced manufacturing, scientific instrumentation, or complex electromechanical systems

Novanta Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Novanta and has not been reviewed or approved by Novanta.

  • Healthcare Strength Coverage is described as comprehensive, including medical, dental, vision, mental-health support, HSA/FSA options, telemedicine, and access to on-site clinics in select locations. Plan details indicate broad healthcare support across core needs.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Programs include flexible or unlimited time off for many professional roles and a separate PTO structure for non-exempt roles. Paid parental, family, and medical leave are highlighted as substantial in the U.S.
  • Retirement Support A strong 401(k) match with immediate vesting is emphasized. This structure provides meaningful employer support for long-term savings.

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The Company
HQ: Bedford, MA
2,075 Employees

What We Do

Novanta delivers innovations that matter for its medical and advanced industrial OEM customers. If you have a passion for solving complex technical problems that lead to breakthrough performance and that enhance people's lives, come join our growing team. Here is a sample of the many exciting applications we serve: • Innovations that ensure the safety of patients and efficient workflows in hospitals using our novel RFID technology • Innovations in additive manufacturing, also known as 3-D metal printing, using our lightning fast lasers and laser beam steering sub-systems • Innovations in minimally invasive surgery using our highly reliable insufflators, pumps and visualization systems • Innovations in robotics and automation using our precision motors, encoders and drives for superior accuracy • Innovations in smartphone production using our fast, accurate lasers and laser beam steering equipment along with our precision motion systems The driving force behind our growth is the team of talented professionals who share our commitment to our values, and our passion for innovation and for our customers’ success. Novanta has deep expertise in precision medicine and manufacturing, medical solutions, and robotics and automation: Precision Medicine and Manufacturing: • Continuous wave, ultrafast and CO2 lasers, along with laser beam steering components and sub-systems Brands: ARGES, Cambridge Technology, Laser Quantum, Synrad Medical Solutions: Minimally Invasive Surgery: • Insufflators, pumps and disposable tube sets; medical visualization systems, video processing and wireless imaging Brands: NDS, Med X Change, Reach Technology, WOM Detection & Analysis: • RFID readers, machine vision solutions, barcode scanning, light and color measurement Brands: JADAK Robotics and Automation: • Motors, encoders, servo drives, air bearing systems and integrated mechatronic solutions Brands: ATI, Celera Motion (inc. Applimotion, Ingenia, MicroE, Zettlex, Westwind)

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