Senior Director Research & Development

This job is with Thermo Fisher Scientific, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Work Schedule

Standard Office Hours (40/wk)

Environmental Conditions

Office

Job Description

The Single-Use Technologies Division (SUD) is a global leader in the design and delivery of innovative single-use solutions that enable the biopharmaceutical industry to accelerate development, scale manufacturing, and ensure product quality. SUD technologies are deployed across the full bioproduction workflow—from buffer and media preparation to upstream and downstream processing, storage, and transport of critical biologics.

The Sr. Director, Research & Development (R&D) for the Single-Use Technologies Division (SUD) provides strategic and operational leadership for global R&D activities supporting existing and next-generation single-use technologies. This role leads a large global organization of engineers and technical professionals and is accountable for delivering product innovation aligned with SUD’s long-term business strategy.

Reporting into division leadership, this role oversees the design and development of single-use technology systems, upstream and downstream bioprocess equipment, digitalization technologies, and automation solutions for pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing applications. The Sr. Director is a key member of the SUD leadership team, shaping product roadmaps, advancing intellectual property, and ensuring disciplined execution of regulated product development processes.

Strategic Leadership & Business Partnership

• Serve as an integral member of the SUD leadership team, representing R&D in strategic planning (STRAP), portfolio prioritization, and Annual Operating Plan (AOP) processes.
• Own and execute the global R&D and product development strategy aligned with the business and market needs.
• Partner closely with Product Management, Market Development, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Commercial teams to drive end-to-end lifecycle execution.
• Engage directly with customers and commercial teams on complex technical programs
  
  

Innovation & Technology Development

• Partner with the Bioproduction Group Innovation team, other business groups, and the Corporate Innovation Council to develop next-generation products, platforms, and differentiated intellectual property.
• Drive technology collaboration across divisions and business units to accelerate innovation and leverage enterprise capabilities.
• Translate customer and market requirements into differentiated products that meet cost, quality, performance, regulatory, and time-to-market expectations.
• Lead the advancement of digitalization, automation, and data-enabled technologies within single-use and bioprocessing systems.
  
  

R&D Execution & Process Excellence

• Champion all aspects of regulated product development, ensuring compliance with design control and quality system requirements.
• Serve as process owner for New Product Introduction (NPI), Engineer-to-Order (ETO/customization), and product improvement processes.
• Establish, monitor, and continuously improve R&D metrics and operational performance to drive efficiency, scalability, and productivity.
• Lead technical diligence and assessment activities in support of mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships, including post-acquisition technology integration as needed.
  
  

External Engagement & Intellectual Property

• Own and advocate for the division’s intellectual property strategy; actively support invention disclosure, patent development, and IP portfolio growth.
• Lead technical engagement with key external collaborators, suppliers, and industry organizations (e.g., BPOG, ISPE, BPSA), serving as a thought leader and trusted partner.
• Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to ensure external insights and emerging trends are incorporated into the innovation pipeline.
  
  

People Leadership

• Lead, develop, and inspire a diverse, global R&D organization; foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Build leadership capability, succession plans, and technical depth across the organization.
  
  

Minimum Requirements / Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physical sciences, or chemistry required; Master’s degree or Ph.D. preferred.
• 10 years of progressive R&D leadership experience, preferably within bioprocessing, bioproduction, or regulated medical device environments.
• Demonstrated success leading global, multi-site teams and delivering complex products from concept through commercialization.
• Strong background in bioprocess systems and equipment; experience with single-use technologies strongly preferred.
• Experience with digital and data-enabled systems (automation, control systems, MES, ERP, historians, analytics) preferred.
• Ability to influence across functions and operate effectively in a matrixed, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally.
  
  

Compensation And Benefits

The salary range estimated for this position based in Utah is $212,000.00–$317,000.00.

This Position May Also Be Eligible To Receive a Variable Annual Bonus Based On Company, Team, And/or Individual Performance Results In Accordance With Company Policy. We Offer a Comprehensive Total Rewards Package That Our U.S. Colleagues And Their Families Can Count On, Which Includes

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
  
  

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards

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