Executive Director, Cell Delivery Engineering

Job Description

General Summary :

The Executive Director, Cell Delivery Engineering (Engineering Sciences) leads the group’s design and development of early - stage efforts spanning design, material selection , & synthesis to achieve novel delivery construct s to support cell transplantation .

The Executive Director will be uniquely experienced in managing diverse groups across innovation, ideation, and prototyping, with a focus on developing cell delivery strategies that overc ome existing limitations in the field .

They will manage 3 sub functions within VCGT Engineering Sciences that are critical to evolving cell delivery technologies and designs, including Device Research, Device & Equipment Design, and Controls Engineering & Automation , and will have significant e xpertise in device and materials design, early stage process development, and related prototype manufacturing and testing equipment including a working knowledge of diverse technologies to enable device development .

The group will collectively be responsible for supporting the creation and development of new therapeutic device candidates from the point of inception through to proof-of-concept testing.

Additionally t he group collaboratively supports the design, development, and tech-transfer of innovative designs, manufacturing equipment and associated instrumentation to enable implementation into CMC in partnership with Product Engineering and downstream clinical evaluation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities :

Manages early design, process development, and prototyping activities related to the creation of cell delivery device s within VCGT Research

Integrates function and sub-function strategy knowledge to determine strategic plans within the Research Engineering group and partners with other functions to synergistically expand VCGT’s expert capabilities in novel device design

Key contributor to expanding portfolio of delivery modalities for treat ing existing and future disease areas , including bringing insight into continuously emerging technologies in the field that have applicability within VCGT

Works cross-functionally with clinical and CMC teams to ensure new device design s meet clinical, regulatory and downstream GxP requirements

Manages personnel performance and develops career growth opportunities of group

Responsible for budget creation and management . O versees group hiring activities. Responsible for regular review of staff deployment and project status to ensure all projects are appropriately prioritized , resourced, and key goals are met on time

Balances innovative exploration activities with the completion of defined project objectives , L eads acquisition of new internal and external scientific and engineering capabilities.

Directs and participates with own technical leadership in early stage materials selection , synthesis, fabrication process development and prototyping projects.

Develops external relationships to pursue new and emerging delivery technologies to enable next-gen R&D activities

Works across Vertex to identify synergistic capabilities and develop enabling partnerships

Knowledge and Skills :

Possesses deep and advanced knowledge of biomaterials selection , synthesis / fabrication, and characterization with respect to key delivery properties .

Exp osure to translational biology concepts that influence device design, including host response, kinetic considerations, and biomechanics

Experience in implementing orthogonal technologies to support device design and development

Design principles, with a working understanding of design iteration, CAD solid modeling, general fabrication, additive manufacturing, subtractive / conventional machining, design / drafting , and sensor control s , and data collection technology

Has highly developed writing and oral presentation skills that enable the incumbent to convey the essence and importance of complex concepts and findings in a clear manner

Education and Experience :

Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in related disciplines, or

Equivalent industrial R&D engineering experience in a principal device design , prototype equipment design and management position for over 12 years with at least 7 years of supervisory / management experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience

Deep experience in integrating and managing teams with complimentary skill sets toward an aligned vision

Flex Designation : On-Site Designated

On-Site Designated

Flex Eligibility Status :

In this On-Site designated role, you will work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.