Project Manager - R&D

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Global RD Project Manager to lead the execution of software product development projects throughout the Product Lifecycle, ensuring alignment across engineering, product management, quality, regulatory, downstream functions , and Software Suppliers to deliver predictable, high-quality Product Releases.

The Global RD Project Manager controls projects of different sizes and complexities with globally distributed resources. The RD Project Manager in this role is responsible for leading software development projects, coordinating across multiple development Scrum teams and defining the project execution and delivery strategy to achieve predictable Software Releases. The role drives execution excellence through effective planning, governance, stakeholder alignment, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration, ensuring projects are delivered within approved scope, schedule, budget, quality, and compliance objectives.

Key Interfaces

Typical internal interfaces of the role:

• Reporting Escalation: Program Manager (ProgM), Functional Heads (FM), Management Team members (MTM), Quality Management Representative (QMR)
• Project Steering: Product (Line) Managers (ProLM/PM), Quality Managers (QM), Test Managers (TM), Financial Controllers (FC), Architects (AR)
• Teams: Product Owners (PO), Developer (DEV), Tester (TS), Scrum Masters (SCRUM)
• Project Support: Project Assistants (PAS), Configuration Manager (CM), Integration Manager (INT), Risk Manager (RM), Supplier Manager (SM), Regulatory Affairs Manager (RAM), Cybersecurity Experts/Officer (CYSE/CYSO), Data Privacy Ambassador (DPA), System Engineers (SE), Technical Communication Manager (TC)
• Downstream: Customer process (CUS) roles, Designated Complaint Unit (DCU)

Typical external interfaces:

• Supplier contacts
• Collaboration / Co-Creation partners
• Business Line representatives

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership Delivery

• Lead end-to-end execution of software product development projects throughout the Product Lifecycle.
• Define and drive the project execution and delivery strategy to achieve predictable Product Releases while balancing scope, schedule, quality, compliance, resources, and organizational priorities.
• Develop and maintain integrated project plans covering scope, schedule, budget, milestones, resources, capacity, dependencies, and Product Releases.
• Deliver projects within approved scope, schedule, budget, quality, and compliance objectives.
• Support portfolio prioritization, resource planning, and capacity planning by providing delivery forecasts and execution insights.

Governance Execution Management

• Establish project governance and lead milestone reviews, Steering Committee meetings, and executive status reviews.
• Monitor project health and proactively manage risks, issues, dependencies, assumptions, and changes.
• Drive timely decision-making and escalations to maintain predictable delivery.
• Ensure effective stakeholder communication, transparent project reporting, and audit-ready project documentation.

Agile Delivery Leadership

• Lead execution across multiple Scrum Teams and coach Scrum Masters on planning, forecasting, dependency management, and delivery excellence.
• Coordinate cross-team planning, Release Governance, and execution across globally distributed teams.
• Promote effective Agile delivery practices while supporting hybrid development approaches where appropriate.

Cross-functional Collaboration Product Release

• Collaborate with Product Managers, Engineering Managers, Systems Engineering, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Downstream Functions, Platform Teams, Customer Support, and Software Suppliers to ensure successful Product Releases.
• Drive Design Transfer Planning and Product Release readiness activities.
• Ensure Product Release prerequisites, approvals, documentation, training, and operational readiness activities are completed on schedule.
• Support customer site engagements and travel, where required, to facilitate successful product introductions.

Operational Excellence

• Monitor engineering and delivery performance using Azure DevOps, Team Foundation Server (TFS), Power BI, and other organizational tools to provide actionable project insights.
• Drive continuous improvement through retrospectives, lessons learned, knowledge sharing, mentoring, and coaching.
• Promote AI-assisted project delivery practices to improve planning, reporting, documentation, collaboration, and execution efficiency.
• Ensure adherence to organizational PLM processes, Quality Management System (QMS), cybersecurity, data privacy, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor s or master s degree in engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronics, Biomedical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Experience

Overall 15+ years of experience in software product development, project leadership, or Product Lifecycle Management, including 3+ as Software Project Manager

• Proven experience leading medium to large software development projects and coordinating multiple Agile Scrum Teams.
• Experience delivering complex software products throughout the complete Product Lifecycle.
• Experience working with globally distributed cross-functional teams.
• Experience in regulated industries such as Medical Devices, Healthcar e , or similar domains is preferred.

Functional Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of project management principles including planning, governance, estimation, risk management, change management, stakeholder management, and Release Governance.
• Experience with Product Lifecycle Management processes and software development lifecycle methodologies, including Agile, Scrum, SAFe, V-Model, and hybrid development approaches.
• Experience with dependency management, capacity planning, resource planning, and cross-functional coordination.
• Knowledge about and Experience in (large-scale) SW Development (Architecture, Requirements Management, Development, Verification Validation)
• Familiarity with Quality Management Systems (QMS) and regulated software development environment s for medical devices .
• Knowledge about the PLM interfacing processes, e.g. Downstream GTM Enablement, Customer Service Processes, Regulatory Affairs
• Working knowledge of cybersecurity and data privacy considerations.
• Proficiency with Azure DevOps, Team Foundation Server (TFS), Power BI, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Office.
• Strong analytical, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to understand technical trade-offs, facilitate engineering discussions, and influence without direct authority.

Leadership Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to coach Scrum Masters and foster high-performing Agile teams.
• Strong ownership, accountability, and execution focus.
• Comfortable working across organizational boundaries in a global and matrixed environment.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a passion for operational excellence.
• Knowledge and Experience in Conflict Management / Escalation Management, Leadership and Management Methods

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