Associate Manager, R&D

About the role

At VB Spine, you’ll be part of a mission-focused team that supports surgeons during life-changing spinal procedures. We’re the largest privately held spine company and among the largest family-owned medical technology companies in the world, dedicated to innovation, surgeon partnerships, and improving patient outcomes in spine care.

Responsibilities

• Coach, develop, and manage direct reports to meet performance objectives and support their professional growth
• Manage resource planning and allocation of personnel and equipment for the product development and sustaining portfolio
• Interface with surgeons and sales representatives to gather clinical input for product design and evaluation
• Drive innovative solutions that meet customer needs through leadership of or active participation on cross-functional design teams and management of large sustaining projects
• Collaborate closely with R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Clinical, Marketing, and Project Management to ensure project success
• Lead or actively participate in design reviews and product investigations
• Develop and manage metrics and reporting for senior leadership
• Approve verification and validation activities for product designs
• Support regulatory submissions including 510(k), PMA, and CE Mark
• Develop and manage expense budgets and team spending
• Write annual performance reviews for direct reports
• Maintain strong working relationships across Spine R&D, other VB sites, and external partners

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related discipline (Master’s preferred or equivalent relevant experience)
• 6+ years of relevant work experience (medical device industry preferred); previous supervisory experience is a plus
• Demonstrated success in product development, bringing concepts to market, and/or managing R&D sustaining activities, product transfers, NC/CAPA, or remediation
• Strong knowledge of orthopedic products (Spine preferred), including clinical issues and performance requirements
• Experience working within international regulatory requirements (FDA, EU, ROW) in the medical device industry
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong technical writing ability
• Ability to interface effectively with physicians, engineers, and operational personnel
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work with remote teams
• Applied knowledge of parametric CAD packages (Creo or SolidWorks preferred) is a plus

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related discipline
• 6+ years of relevant work experience in the medical device industry
• Previous supervisory experience
• Experience in product development and sustaining activities
• Knowledge of orthopedic products, particularly in the spine field
• Experience with international regulatory requirements
• Strong communication and technical writing skills
• Ability to work with remote teams and interface with various stakeholders
• Applied knowledge of CAD software

Skills

• Product development and sustaining activities
• Regulatory compliance and submissions
• Team leadership and management
• Design and process improvement
• Technical writing and documentation
• Interpersonal and communication skills

Benefits

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) with company match
Paid time off (PTO) and holidays
Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
Opportunity to grow within a fast-paced, dynamic company

Pay

The typical pay range for this position is $125,000.00 - $135,000.00 annually, with potential for bonuses and incentives plus benefits.

Schedule

Hybrid – 3 days onsite | Up to 20% travel