Director, R&D, Engineering

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Company: Abbott Laboratories
Location: Abbott Park, IL

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Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 103,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.


POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Director, R&D, Engineering will play a key role in the building of an engineering-based team to drive development and assay integration of Abbott Diagnostic Division’s (ADD) next generation immunoassay and clinical chemistry systems. An ideal candidate must be familiar with assay integration, adept at facilitating technical issue resolution and integrate multiple disciplines to create comprehensive solutions. The Engineering Director may also play a key role in identifying opportunities to define and refine production lines in a reagent manufacturing and fill suite.


CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Main responsibilities of the Director of R&D, Engineering will include:

  • Conceives, plans, executes and tracks R&D projects and resources to meet objectives while accommodating unforeseen events with timely and sound risk assessments and contingency plans.
  • Develops system requirements and user needs for next generation system development by working collaboratively with peers in Software, Hardware, Assay Development, Supply Chain and Quality.
  • Interacts effectively with multiple disciplines to evaluate and assess complex processes, troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges, identify possible solutions, and drive to resolution.
  • Ensures ongoing engagement in customer support activities through detailed data analysis, test and customer visits.
  • Establishes vision, identifies and champions internal/external best practices, tools, and ideas to improve execution and quality.
  • Creates and maintains a professional work environment that achieves program objectives and supports cross-functional effectiveness, drives an organization of efficiency, accountability and ownership.
  • Leads a high-performance culture by hiring, developing and retaining a diverse, highly qualified staff; setting goals that align to division plans, manages the execution of goals through coaching, mentoring and providing regular feedback to staff.
  • Maintains positive and cooperative communications and collaboration with all levels of employees, customers, contractors, and vendors.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • BS in Engineering or related field with 15+ years of related work experience; or MS in Engineering or related field with 10+ years of related work experience; or PhD in Engineering (Systems, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Biomedical) or related field with 8+ years of related work experience
  • Minimum 5 years supervisory/managerial experience; experience managing multidisciplinary functions through other managers
  • Knowledge of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, EU regulations (e.g. IVD-R), and other regulatory requirements and applicable technical standards


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Ability to work in a highly matrixed and geographically diverse business environment, where key resources may not be co-located.
  • Strong leadership skills, including the ability to set goals and provide positive and constructive feedback respectfully to build positive relationships and improve business results.
  • Strong experience in product development roles with increasing responsibilities is desired.
  • Ability to work effectively within a team in a fast-paced, changing environment.
  • Experience in a production facility, creating manufacturing specifications and test procedures, developing/implementing assembly line automation and control measures, a plus
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must; must be able to forge partnerships with new and existing vendors: must be able to communicate effectively at multiple levels within the organization.
  • Multi-tasks, prioritizes and meets deadlines in timely manner.
  • Strong or organizational, planning, and follow-up skills; ability to delegate and hold others accountable. Prior ability in building strong teams and organizations is a plus.
  • Ability to support technical trade-shows, meet with customers on ADD’s strategic vision and opportunities for improvements, and building internal knowledge base.
  • Ability to travel, including internationally