Director R&D

Campbell, CAFull-time$235k–$255kPosted Jul 16, 2026
Title: Director R&D
Location: This position is based in our Campbell, California office. This position is on site and full time.

Why Imperative Care?
Do you want to make a real impact on patients? Imperative Care is changing the way stroke and vascular diseases are treated. As part of our team, you’d be supporting breakthroughs that will revolutionize the future of stroke care. Every day, the technologies that we develop at Imperative Care directly impact human lives. Our focus is on the needs of the patient, and they come first in everything we do
What You’ll Do
A Director of R&D will interpret functional strategy and set plans that meet research and product development goals and objectives.  This position will direct and oversee all activities of assigned R&D teams, projects, and cross-functional project teams and ensure tasks performed by reporting people leaders or individual contributors stay within prescribed time frames and funding parameters when transferring projects to manufacturing or contract manufacturer.
  • Lead assigned R&D team and provide clear direction that supports functional goals and objectives.
  • Provide development opportunities and manage performance of R&D team while fostering an environment of collaboration, growth, learning and achievement
  • Collaborate with internal cross-functional teams, including Senior Management and external stakeholders including KOLs, advisory boards, contract manufacturers, suppliers and development partners to understand current and future product development requirements, review project goals, priorities and resources and guide decisions that optimize projects.
  • Lead clinical needs-based brainstorming activities leading to new design solutions.
  • Direct R&D teams to rapidly prototype new ideas within and outside the stroke space, as required.
  • Develop project budgets, program timelines, organize resources according to project requirements and maximize expenditures within limitations of department and project budget allocations.
  • Identify and assign resources to specific phases or aspects of project (e.g., product design and process development, pre-clinical studies, design and process characterization and qualification, finalization of specifications, strategic project/technical plans, etc.).
  • Represent R&D in high level cross-functional discussions with potentially impact on clinical, regulatory, and business needs.
  • Monitor product complaints to understand issues with the devices. Utilize deep knowledge to lead design improvements to the current device or for implementation to future designs.
  • Ensure product design follows engineering principles, company standards, clinical requirements, and related specifications.
  • Supervise technical development activities and scheduling, resolve engineering design/test problems.
  • Oversee integration of technical activities and related support activities (i.e., marketing, regulatory, quality, clinical, manufacturing).
  • Prepare and lead R&D engineering team through design control documentation and processes.
  • Attend professional meetings (e.g., Professional conferences, Symposia) to build network of contacts, advance technological knowledge and to ensure professional expertise is maintained.

What You’ll Bring
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field, and a minimum of 10 years of experience including 3+ years of managerial experience; or equivalent combination of education and work experience
  • Product specific experience in medical device/pharmaceutical field and advanced degree are preferred.
  • Experience and involvement with MDRs, IDEs, PMAs and 510(k) filings preferred.
  • Knowledge and interpretation of applicable regulations, guidelines, and policy statements (QSR, MDD, and ISO) preferred.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; technical writing capabilities are a must.
  • Ability to influence decision-making/action across organizations, independent of reporting structure. 
  • Proven ability to manage a team of professionals and prioritize multiple projects independently.
  • Ability to work as an effective leader, be flexible, adaptable, and to work under pressure.
  • Demonstrated business acumen and ability to understand technical aspects of product development.
  • Able to travel up to 25% of the time.

Employee Benefits include a stake in our collective success with stock options, bonus, competitive salaries, a 401k plan, health benefits, generous PTO, and a parental leave program.

Salary Range: $235,000 - $255,000 annually

Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Imperative Care considers factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity, as well as location, market and business considerations when extending an offer
Join Us! Imperative Care
 

The use of external recruiters/staffing agencies requires prior approval from our Human Resources Department. The Human Resources Department at Imperative Care requests that external recruiters/staffing agencies not to contact Imperative Care employees directly in an attempt to present candidates. Complying with this request will be a factor in determining future professional relationships with Imperative Care.

Imperative Care will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates themselves for either current or future positions. Submission of unsolicited resumes in advance of an agreement between the Human Resources Department and the external recruiter/staffing agency does not create any implied obligation on the part of Imperative Care.

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