Research and Development Project Manager

About the Company

vVARDIS is a Swiss-based oral health company founded by Dr. Haley and Dr. Goly Abivardi, dentists, innovators, and award-winning entrepreneurs. With a combined 30 years of dental and entrepreneurial experience, and 20 years of laboratory and clinical research, vVARDIS is committed to delivering innovative solutions that enhance oral health and well-being. The company is built on a patented, revolutionary biomimetic peptide technology, scientifically proven in over 200 publications, which treats early caries through enamel regeneration—a non-invasive, pain-free solution for patients of all ages. vVARDIS offers oral health products for dental professionals, patients, and consumers, all based on this proprietary technology. The company values innovation, excellence, integrity, and empathy, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, vVARDIS operates in Europe and the US.

About the Role

As a Project Manager in Research and Development (R&D), you will drive innovation and advance vVARDIS’s position in the medical field by overseeing the entire lifecycle of R&D projects—from conceptualization to product development. You will lead cross-functional teams, including engineers, designers, regulatory experts, and clinical stakeholders, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives while adhering to regulatory standards and best practices in medical device development. Your role will involve defining project scopes, schedules, budgets, and risk mitigation plans, as well as managing timelines, milestones, and deliverables to meet quality and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D projects from initial concept to final product development, ensuring compliance with medical device regulations and quality standards (e.g., ISO 13485, FDA regulations).
• Define and manage project scope, schedules, budgets, and risk mitigation strategies to meet project goals and deadlines.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams (engineering, clinical, regulatory, etc.) and external stakeholders to achieve project objectives.
• Regularly assess project status, identify and resolve potential issues, and revise project plans as necessary to stay on track.
• Ensure effective communication with stakeholders, providing consistent updates on project progress, challenges, and risks.
• Develop and maintain detailed project and design control documentation, ensuring all regulatory and compliance requirements are met.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance team culture to drive the success of R&D projects.
• Escalate issues appropriately and prepare decision-making materials for management.
• Ensure project deliverables are completed on time and within budget.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience in R&D project management in medical device development, ideally in the dental, pharmaceutical, or life science industry.
• Strong attention to deadlines and budgetary guidelines.
• Proven success working with all levels of management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation abilities.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements in the dental industry, OTC industry, and pharmaceutical sector.
• Experience with peptide formulations or the dental industry is a plus.

What We Offer

• Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams.
• Access to cutting-edge research and global experts, including dedicated lab facilities in Michigan and Zurich.
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities.
• Opportunity to contribute to impactful product launches and industry advancements.

Ideal Candidate Profile

You thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and are excited to build a business as part of a new team. You adapt easily to change, embrace continuous improvement, and excel at building collaborative relationships across teams and functions. As a self-sufficient, self-starter, you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and contribute to the broader success of the business. You embody high standards and ethics, are a fast learner, and execute with excellence while maintaining a low-ego personality.