Hybrid R&D Manager – Front End Innovation

at Solventum

• Job title: R&D Manager – Front End Innovation
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior, Lead
• Salary: $163,200 - $224,400 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Maplewood, United States

About the role

• R&D Manager leading front-end innovation at Solventum to pioneer healthcare solutions. Collaborating across teams to shape future products and technology strategies.

Responsibilities

• Assisting in the Identification and prioritization of front-end innovation (FEI) and technology exploration programs that shape future products, platforms, and technology strategies
• Allocating resources across exploratory programs to balance speed, risk, and potential impact
• Driving early technical de-risking by supporting direct reports in identifying critical unknowns, designing focused experiments, and generating data that clarifies feasibility, scalability, and differentiation
• Energizing work groups by fostering a climate that encourages curiosity, experimentation, calculated risk-taking, learning from failure, and strong teamwork while developing technical talent capable of operating effectively in early-stage, uncertain environments.
• Working collaboratively with Product Development, Marketing, Medical Affairs, Manufacturing, Quality, and Regulatory to ensure front-end solutions are actionable and positioned for effective transition to new product development
• Developing and maintains deep awareness of external technologies, emerging science, startup activity, and academic research relevant to the organization’s future technology landscape and integrating external insights into internal FEI programs and roadmaps.

Requirements

• Bachelors Degree in a science or engineering discipline (completed and verified prior to start) from an accredited institution
• 7 years of relevant experience in a regulated industry, medical devices preferred, utilizing design controls to design, develop, verify, validate, and commercialize new products
• Masters degree or higher in an applicable technical field (preferred)
• Previous experience managing people, leading teams, and developing/managing budgets (preferred)
• Expertise in project technical leadership with the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate, mentor, and grow talent
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, familiarity with strategizing on early technical innovations
• Broad technical depth across relevant disciplines including materials, engineering, and biology
• Experience collaborating with marketing, laboratory, quality, regulatory, and other functions common in MedTech
• Experience in evaluating technology readiness
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint), strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to read and understand technical drawings

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental & Vision
• Health Savings Accounts
• Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Disability Benefits
• Life Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits
• Paid Absences
• Retirement Benefits