Sr. Manager R&D

Working Location: MASSACHUSETTS, WESTBOROUGH 

Workplace Flexibility: Hybrid

 

For more than 100 years, Olympus has focused on making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. ​​

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Every day, we live by our philosophy, True to Life, by advancing medical technologies and elevating the standard of patient care so people everywhere can fulfill their desires, dreams, and lives.

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Our five Core Values empower us to achieve Our Purpose: 

 

Patient Focus, Integrity, Innovation, Impact and Empathy. 

 

Learn more about Life at Olympus.

 

 

Job Description

The Sr R&D Manager plays a vital leadership role in developing and executing technical strategies, driving innovation, and managing new product development programs. This position is responsible for leading a team of engineers and technicians focused on product design, development, and continuous improvement. In addition to technical leadership, the Sr R&D Manager is accountable for the recruitment, hiring, and development of R&D staff to support ongoing research and development initiatives. This role works closely with cross-functional teams to align R&D efforts with business goals and collaborates with other Olympus R&D Design Centers to develop and leverage advanced technologies to support growth and innovation.

Job Duties

• Directly supervises engineers, designers, and technicians, serving as core and extended team members on product and technology development projects (TDPs and PDPs).
• Serves as a core team member on complex development projects, leading R&D contributions to meet key milestones.
• Attends and actively participates in regular project team meetings to identify and resolve technical risks, maintain team alignment, and communicate development progress.
• Works with project managers to anticipate critical activities, manage resources effectively, and avoid delays on the critical path.
• Collaborates cross-functionally with non-R&D team members to ensure alignment on project deliverables and interdependencies.
• Partners with Marketing to identify new product opportunities and provide support for current product improvements (sustaining engineering).
• Reviews and analyses technical documentation and reports, including concept evaluations, patent requirements, and marketing strategies.
• Ensures all R&D work complies with regulatory and quality system requirements, including design control processes and standards (ISO 9001, EN46001, and FDA QSRs).
• Interfaces with external partners such as suppliers and design firms to support component and process development needs.
• Supports budget planning and management for the R&D department; assists program managers in estimating project costs and resources.
• Leads the recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and professional development of R&D staff, fostering growth through mentoring and challenging assignments.
• Performs other essential duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Required:

• B.S. Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical or Biomedical preferred) or equivalent experience and technical education is required.
• Minimum 12 years’ of experience in development design and or engineering of products & processes.
• Minimum 5+ years of leading projects and a minimum of 3-5 years management experience in R&D.
• Software Proficiency: Microsoft Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Project, and SolidWorks.

 

Preferred:

• Strong preference for candidates with experience in medical device development and working in cross-functional environments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and effectively.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and build high-performing teams.
• Must be a collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated capability in making sound, data-driven decisions in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Strong ability to build and