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Vice President of Research & Development — Job Description
Job Title: Vice President of Research & Development
Location: Los Angeles / Hybrid
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer / Chief Technology Officer
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and visionary Vice President of Research & Development to lead the company’s R&D strategy, innovation roadmap, product research, technical development, and long-term capability building.
This role is responsible for identifying emerging technologies, developing new products and solutions, improving existing offerings, and building a high-performing research and development organization. The ideal candidate is a strategic technical leader with strong innovation capability, cross-functional leadership experience, and a proven track record of turning ideas into commercially viable products or technologies.
- Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and lead the company’s research and development strategy in alignment with business goals, market needs, and long-term growth priorities.
- Build and manage the R&D roadmap, including new product concepts, technology exploration, prototyping, testing, and commercialization planning.
- Lead research initiatives to identify emerging technologies, market trends, customer needs, and innovation opportunities.
- Oversee the development, testing, validation, and improvement of products, systems, platforms, or technical solutions.
- Partner closely with product, engineering, operations, marketing, sales, finance, and executive leadership to align R&D priorities with business strategy.
- Establish scalable R&D processes, technical standards, project governance, documentation practices, and performance metrics.
- Evaluate technical feasibility, development costs, timelines, risks, and business impact for new initiatives.
- Lead cross-functional innovation projects from concept through development, launch, and continuous improvement.
- Manage R&D budgets, resource allocation, vendor relationships, laboratories, tools, and external research partnerships.
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of researchers, engineers, scientists, product developers, or technical specialists.
- Protect and support the company’s intellectual property strategy, including patents, trade secrets, proprietary processes, and technical know-how.
- Ensure R&D activities comply with applicable regulations, safety standards, quality requirements, and company policies.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding proprietary technology, product roadmaps, business strategy, and executive-level information.
- Qualifications15+ years of progressive experience in research and development, product development, engineering, technology innovation, scientific research, or related technical leadership roles.
- Proven experience leading R&D teams and delivering successful products, technologies, platforms, or technical solutions.
- Strong background in innovation strategy, product lifecycle development, prototyping, testing, validation, and commercialization.
- Demonstrated ability to translate market needs and business objectives into practical research and development priorities.
- Experience managing complex technical projects, R&D budgets, timelines, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess feasibility, risk, cost, and business value.
- Excellent executive communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to lead teams in a fast-paced, high-growth, and globally oriented business environment.
- High degree of judgment, accountability, discretion, and professional integrity.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Product Development, Life Sciences, Applied Sciences, or a related technical field; Master’s degree, Ph.D., or MBA preferred.
- Preferred QualificationsPrior experience as VP of R&D, Head of R&D, Director of Product Development, Engineering Leader, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Product Officer, or Innovation Leader.
- Medical industry work experience.
- Experience with international product development, advanced manufacturing, software platforms, AI, consumer products, hardware, biotechnology, clean technology, entertainment technology, or digital commerce.
- Familiarity with product lifecycle management, agile development, stage-gate processes, quality systems, regulatory requirements, or IP management.
- Experience building R&D teams, labs, technical partnerships, university collaborations, vendor networks, or innovation programs.
- Strong understanding of global technology trends, competitive landscapes, customer behavior, and commercialization pathways.
- Required SkillsResearch and development strategy
- Product innovation and commercialization
- Technical leadership
- Product lifecycle management
- Prototyping, testing, and validation
- Emerging technology assessment
- Cross-functional leadership
- Budget and resource management
- Project governance and execution
- Intellectual property awareness
- Quality, safety, and compliance awareness
- Executive communication
- Team building and talent development
- Strategic problem-solving
- What We OfferA senior leadership role with direct influence on the company’s innovation strategy and future product direction.
- Opportunity to work closely with the CEO, CTO, product leaders, and executive leadership team.
- Exposure to high-impact product development, emerging technologies, and strategic growth initiatives.
- Competitive executive compensation package.
- Hybrid work arrangement based in Los Angeles.
- Collaborative, innovative, and performance-driven company culture.
- Opportunity to build scalable R&D capabilities and shape the company’s long-term technology roadmap.
