Head of Research And Development

We are Open Bionics, a growing startup based in Bristol that designs, develops and manufactures beautiful bionic limbs for those with upper limb absences. Our flagship product is the Hero Arm and with this myo-electric arm, we turn disabilities into superpowers! We have collaborated with some of the biggest brands in the world, such as Star Wars, Marvel, Twentieth Century Fox and Konami, and we have won multiple awards, including the Hanger Clinics Innovation Award.

Please visit our website to find out more about us: www.openbionics.com. Our Mission & Values “Create and Democratize Technology that Enhances the Human Body”. Innovate – Look at the problem differently.

Empower – Enable people to act with confidence. Be Ambitious – Think bigger. Treat People Equally – Treat everyone with equal respect.

Be Reliable – Always deliver. On time. On budget.

To specification. Role Specification We are looking for a visionary and execution-focused Head of R&D to define and lead the future of product development at Open Bionics. This pivotal role is at the heart of the business, responsible for turning bold ideas into world‑class bionic products that directly improve people’s lives.

You will own the end‑to‑end R&D function, lead a multidisciplinary engineering team and drive the development of innovative, user‑centred products from early concept through to launch and beyond. You will build and deliver a scalable product roadmap, align technical development with company strategy, and ensure excellence across design, quality, regulatory and delivery. This role requires strategic thinking and hands‑on leadership.

You will navigate complexity, make confident decisions in ambiguous environments, and maintain a high‑performing team capable of delivering at pace as the company grows. Our Culture We will thrive if you: You love a fast pace: ambitious, comfortable taking risks, and want to work in an environment that moves quickly. You value transparency: you appreciate open communication about company performance, finances, and future plans.

You are a collaborative expert: you know your stuff, but love working across teams and respect the domain expertise of colleagues. You want to make an impact, not coast: you bring 100 % of your energy to the table. We are results‑driven.

You value your downtime: we respect your personal time and expect you to unplug when your contracted hours are up. Responsibilities Lead the technical direction of product development in alignment with the company vision, objectives and values. Headline responsibilities: People Management Project Management Process Management Risk Management Grant Funding Patent Portfolio Detailed responsibilities: Provide technical leadership and maintain in‑depth knowledge of all products during and after development.

Line‑manage, develop and support all members of the R&D team. Run and continuously improve R&D processes, including NPI and change request processes. Ensure adherence to company policies and processes including NPI, Health & Safety and Quality Management.

Establish and maintain lab best practices and equipment care. Track R&D performance through regular KPI reporting. Identify potential roadblocks and implement preventative and corrective actions.

Apply for grants to fund new product development. Lead risk management, including compliance, regulatory, quality, safety and timelines/projects risks. Maintain a long‑term product development pipeline plan.

Champion co‑design methodology to centre user experience and needs. Perform quarterly reviews of the R&D department. Preserve clear product specifications and deliver through quality gateways.

Set project timeline, manage critical path and lead gateway meetings. Manage product cost including tooling, piece cost, labour and target reporting. Support the Quality team to meet ISO standards throughout NPI.

Take responsibility for the intellectual property portfolio and grow its value. Keep track of R&D budget and expenses. Person Scorecard – Essential Broad engineering expertise across mechanical, product, electronics and software with credibility at strategic and technical levels.

Proven leadership with multidisciplinary teams, delivering complex products full lifecycle. Strong decision‑making capability under ambiguous or high‑pressure situations. Excellent communication to articulate complex technical concepts to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Highly analytical and data‑driven, using structured problem‑solving to inform decisions. Resilient and composed under pressure, responding effectively to changing priorities. Confident in balancing technical, commercial and organisational considerations.

Strong interpersonal and influencing skills to build alignment and foster collaboration. High emotional intelligence and self‑awareness. Experience delivering projects against time, cost and quality objectives in a fast‑paced environment.

Passion for engineering and innovation, driving impactful products that improve users’ lives. Desirable Degree or equivalent in Mechanical, Electrical, Product Design or related engineering discipline. Experience in regulated environments (medical devices, ISO standards).

Experience implementing or improving R&D processes such as NPI, change control, or product lifecycle management. Exposure to intellectual property development (patents, design protection). Experience scaling engineering teams or functions within a startup or high‑growth environment.

Benefits 32 days annual leave (including bank holidays) Additional day of leave for moving house / getting married Company pension scheme Cycle 2 work scheme 50 % subsidised gym/sports membership or exercise classes (up to £30) Up to 50 % cost covered for professional accreditations Free fruit, tea & coffee in office Culture of team socials To Apply 1) Visit our website https://openbionics.com/ and click “Careers”. 2) Write a covering letter explaining why you are suitable for the role; address the scorecard criteria and why you want to work for Open Bionics. 3) Upload your CV showcasing the technical aspects of your knowledge, skills and experience. Please note that both the covering letter and CV must be provided. Interviews may take place virtually.

Other Information Open Bionics is an Equal Opportunities employer. If you are disabled and require any reasonable adjustments, please contact [email protected]. We welcome enquiries from everyone and value diversity in our workplace.

We may implement positive action measures to encourage people from under‑represented groups. If you are successful, you will be expected to provide proof of your right to work in the UK. #J-18808-Ljbffr