Lead R&D Engineer, Sustaining Engineering

We Make Life More Rewarding and Dignified

Location: Libertyville

Department: Research & Development

Summary

The Lead R&D Engineer is a senior individual contributor within Research and Development who provides technical leadership in the identification, design, development, and commercialization of medical devices. The role applies strong engineering expertise to progress product concepts from early clinical need and technology exploration through prototype development, verification, validation, and support of commercialization. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Lead R&D Engineer collaborates extensively with cross‑functional partners across R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing, and Marketing to deliver innovative, compliant, and customer‑focused solutions that support business growth.

Hollister Incorporated operates in a hybrid work environment. Employees are expected to come into the office a minimum of 4 days per week. This position can be located in Libertyville, IL or Ballina Ireland. Sponsorship to work in the US is not available at this time.

Responsibilities

• Represent Research and Development on cross‑functional product development and commercialization teams.
• Translate basic clinical and customer needs into device concepts, designs, and prototypes while ensuring consideration of human factors, usability, and regulatory requirements.
• Research, evaluate, and apply new materials, technologies, and processes to support development of new and existing product platforms.
• Lead or support concept development, feasibility assessments, prototyping, and iterative design refinement.
• Source, select, and evaluate materials, components, and supplier technologies for suitability and performance.
• Develop product and component specifications to ensure consistent performance aligned to customer and business requirements.
• Develop and execute test methods to characterize and measure product performance, stability, and functionality.
• Plan, perform, and document design verification and design validation activities in compliance with design control requirements.
• Provide technical R&D support to Global Marketing, Regulatory Affairs, Engineering, Manufacturing, and other functions as required.
• Manage assigned project schedules, conduct technical and project risk analyses, and support timely completion of project deliverables.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation including reports, drawings, specifications, and analysis summaries.
• Support intellectual property activities, including collaboration with patent counsel on patentability and infringement assessments.
• Apply advanced engineering knowledge to solve complex and often ambiguous technical problems.
• Lead or significantly contribute to technical execution of projects with minimal supervision.
• Integrate regulatory, quality, and design control requirements into development activities.
• Analyze experimental and performance data using appropriate analytical and statistical methods.
• Communicate technical information clearly and effectively to cross‑functional stakeholders at multiple organizational levels.
• Collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams and contribute to a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Essential Functions of the Role

• Translating technical findings into business-relevant insights.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Regulatory, Marketing, Market Access).
• Ensuring adherence to regulatory standards (e.g., EU MDR, FDA).
• Maintain quality systems and compliance with regulatory standards.

Education & Work Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree with 8-12 years of related experience

Education & Work Preferences

• Honours Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Design Engineering, or a related engineering discipline required.
• Typically requires 8-12 years of relevant industry experience, preferably within medical devices or other regulated product development environments.
• Demonstrated experience working within medical device quality systems, including design controls and applicable regulatory standards.
• Proven experience in product design, prototype development, and execution of verification and validation activities.
• Working knowledge of project execution principles, including planning, risk management, and cross‑functional coordination.
• Proficiency with common engineering tools and software, including 3D CAD and standard business applications.
• Master's degree or PhD in an engineering or related technical discipline.
• Experience leading or coordinating cross‑functional technical workstreams without direct people management responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience integrating human factors considerations into product concept development.
• Project management experience within an R&D or new product development environment.
• Familiarity with supplier engagement, vendor evaluations, and external technology scouting.

Competencies

• Be Agile - Innovates and adapts quickly, approaching change with curiosity while persisting through obstacles.
• Be Customer Centric - Considers the needs, experiences and feedback of customers in all we do.
• Be People-Focused - Builds trust and collaborates with an inclusive and empathetic approach.
• Be Performance Driven - Operates with an ownership mindset, driving meaningful outcomes.
• Live The Schneiders' Legacy, Our Noble Purpose - Passionately serves Our Mission and Vision, while demonstrating the Immutable Principles.

Our Total Rewards package in aggregate is above market and includes competitive pay, paid time off programs, peer-to-peer recognition, health and life insurance, wellness programs and incentives, and generous retirement savings.

• The anticipated base pay range for this position is $110,000 - $155,000 yearly. The actual salary varies based on applicants location, education, experience, skills, abilities, and other legitimate business factors.
• This position is also eligible to participate in the Hollister Corporate Bonus Plan.
• The Company's health and welfare benefits include medical, prescription, dental, vision, spending/savings accounts, disability, company paid (parental and caregiver) leaves, statutory leaves/disability programs, accident, life, wellbeing, education assistance, adoption assistance, and voluntary benefit programs.
• The Company's 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan includes: auto-enrollment, ROTH, vesting and eligible participants "safe harbor" matching contributions.
• The Company's paid time off benefits include: 11 paid holidays, paid vacation based on length of service and exempt/non-exempt status, and sick days based on statutory requirements and/or exempt/non-exempt status.
• The Company's additional benefits include: education assistance and adoption assistance benefit programs.

About Hollister Incorporated

Hollister Incorporated is an independent, employee-owned company that develops, manufactures and markets healthcare products worldwide. The company spearheads the advancement of innovative products for ostomy care, continence care and critical care, and also creates educational support materials for patients and healthcare professionals. Headquartered in Libertyville, Illinois, Hollister has manufacturing and distribution centers on three continents and sells in nearly 80 countries. Hollister is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Firm of John Dickinson Schneider, Inc., and is guided both by its Mission to make life more rewarding and dignified for people who use our products and services, as well as its Vision to grow and prosper as an independent, employee-owned company, and in the process, to become better human beings.

EOE Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Job Req ID: 36272