Front End R&D Engineer

Pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch: Convatec is a global medical products and technologies company, focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, with leading positions in advanced wound care, ostomy care, continence care, and infusion care. With around 10,000 colleagues, we provide our products and services in almost 100 countries, united by a promise to be forever caring. Our solutions provide a range of benefits, from infection prevention and protection of at-risk skin, to improved patient outcomes and reduced care costs. Group revenues in 2022 were over $2 billion. The company is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index (LSE:CTEC).

Every day, our products improve the lives of millions of people around the world. We’re hugely proud of this, which is why we’re transforming our business to reach millions more. Join us on our journey to #ForeverCaring as a Front End R&D Engineer, and you’ll drive progress that really means something.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Front End Innovation for Ostomy Care within the Technology and Innovation organization the Front End R&D Engineer will serve as project lead/manager and/or specialist. They will interface with marketing, clinical, and users to initiate and run Front end projects to feed into Convatec's product development pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

Self:

• Closely partner with Clinical, Marketing, and Design teams to understand unmet needs in the therapy space and translate these into prototype designs with clear market differentiation.   Develop a deep understanding of the patient journey through discussions with users, patients, payers, and providers.

• Develop a deep understanding of our current product portfolio and how it fits in context vs. other offerings on the market

• Partner with internal and external resources to proactively identify a variety of creative/innovative technical solutions to those needs

• When needed drive the preparation toward a research showcase or similar milestone. Provide technical input too.  

• Use leading front-end Innovation practices and stages of the new product development (IDEAL) to mature ideas/projects to Research showcase.

• Understand and balance opportunities and constraints of reimbursement, market access, and environment factors as well as manufacturability and financial targets.

• Work with partners, including key opinion-leading customers, universities, design partners, contract research organizations, testing laboratories, tech incubators and startup companies.

• Stay abreast of trends in the field, including awareness of competitors’ new product introductions and development activities.

• Lead and undertake the IP and technology mapping activities for projects.

• Have a flexible approach and fill roles in teams when needed. Be the mortar that holds the small teams together

• Have an open and including approach to Innovation – Be the hub that allows us to leverage the whole organization

• Take responsibility for specific areas (technical, user, medical) and grow the knowledge including the relevant build/facilitate building of e.g test rigs, prototypes, and models. ID labs/ parts that can accelerate development in the area.

• Scope, plan, and execute front-end projects

Others:

• Provide project management of a small project team if required

• Work effectively and proactively engage with key stakeholders to manage expectations and deliver on commitments; Understand needs and requirements across multiple functions, manage relationships to ensure effective execution.

• Work collaboratively across the organization and support colleagues to achieve shared goals and objectives.

• Ensure diligent and effective handover

• Strive to prioritize building of strong teams. Seek help and input on fostering strong teams

Business:

• Understands and can explain their role within T&I and the wider organization.

• Understands and can articulate the T&I strategy and key initiatives within ostomy car

• Role models behaviors appropriate to our values.

• Maintain compliance with HSE regulations

• Maintain compliance with QMS.

Principal Contacts:

• Internal: R&D, Marketing, Design, Clinical

• External: Vendors, Contractors, Suppliers

Key Education, Experience & Competencies

• Master's degree in a science or engineering field, or equivalent experience

Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in innovation and/or product development

• Experience in a regulated medical device industry

• Evidence of taking part in several development projects

• Good understanding of design control and regulatory control for Medical devices

• Have a working understanding of reimbursement systems in key countries.

• General understanding of the use and manufacture of Ostomy devices

Competencies:

• Ability to plan and execute effectively and systematically

• Able to utilize MS Office effectively

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Effective time management

• Leadership style that promotes and supports a collaborative working environment.

• Laboratory or prototyping skills/experience

• Basic project management skills

Location:

• Lexington, MA (Greater Boston area) - hybrid or onsite

Travel Requirements:

• None