HumanTouch Surgical is seeking an experienced Head of R&D to lead its multidisciplinary R&D organization and the development of advanced electromechanical and robotic surgical systems. The company's laparoscopic system is FDA-cleared and CE-marked, and its next generation is in verification ahead of market launch.

The immediate priority is to bring the next-generation product to market while expanding its instrument portfolio and software capabilities. In parallel, the company is preparing an entirely new surgical robotic platform with strategic technology partners.

As a member of the management team, you will turn company and product strategy into an executable R&D roadmap, build the organization needed to deliver it, and lead the full development lifecycle, from requirements and system architecture through design, integration, verification, and transfer to production. The role combines near-term product delivery, new clinical capabilities, and long-term platform development.

Key responsibilities

• Shape and lead the R&D strategy and technology roadmap together with the GM and Product, in line with business and product goals.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across Systems Engineering, Embedded Software, Electronics, Mechanical Engineering, Algorithms & AI Research, Project Management, and Verification & Validation.
• Drive system architecture, technical decisions, engineering standards, and design reviews throughout the product-development lifecycle.
• Own delivery across multiple R&D programs, including scope, schedule, quality, technical objectives, budget, and resource allocation.
• Bring the next-generation product to market on schedule, expand the instrument portfolio and software capabilities, and ensure timely resolution of field issues.
• Manage external development partners and contractors, with clear deliverables, quality standards, timelines, and integration with internal teams.
• Lead the technical side of strategic partnerships for the new platform, including technology scouting, technical due diligence, and integration of partner technologies with in-house core IP.
• Ensure development meets applicable medical-device quality and regulatory requirements, and introduce engineering processes that support growth without unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Identify and manage technical risks and solve complex system-level challenges.
• Drive innovation, IP creation, and protection of core technologies, and lead the adoption of AI-assisted engineering across R&D.
• Develop managers and technical leaders, strengthen the R&D organization, and scale the team for the new platform while building trust, collaboration, and a people-first culture.
• Work closely with Product, Clinical, QA/RA, Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Marketing, and contribute to company-level strategic decisions.

Qualifications

• B.Sc. in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field. M.Sc. is an advantage.
• Proven experience leading a multidisciplinary R&D organization developing complex systems, including managing managers and team leaders.
• Experience developing robotic or complex electromechanical systems is required. Robotics experience is strongly preferred; surgical robotics is a significant advantage.
• Hands-on experience using AI-assisted engineering workflows in software development, requirements, testing, documentation, data analysis, or other R&D processes is required.
• Experience developing regulated or safety-critical complex systems is required. Medical-device experience is strongly preferred.
• Deep technical understanding of mechanics, electronics, embedded software, and systems engineering, with the ability to examine and challenge technical decisions across disciplines.
• Experience across the full product-development lifecycle, through transfer to production.
• Experience managing outsourced development projects and partners.
• A strong execution focus: accountability, decisiveness, and the ability to bring energy and urgency to a small, high-performing team.
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Fluent English and experience working with overseas partners and suppliers.

Additional advantages

• Experience integrating AI/ML models into medical or robotic products.
• Experience in a startup or scale-up environment, adapting to changing priorities in a fast-paced setting.