Sr. Director of Research & Development Controlled Temperature Technologies

Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Office
Job Description
Location/Division Specific Information:
The Controlled Temperature Technologies (CTT) Business Unit is a portfolio business consisting of two primary product segments: the Cold Storage and Temperature Control. The cold storage segment includes Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers, Laboratory Refrigerators and Freezers, Cryogenic and ELED. The Temperature Control segment includes Chillers, Bath Circulators and Heat Exchangers
Position Summary
As the Sr. Director of Research & Development CTT, you will be responsible for setting the strategic direction and leading the execution of R&D across the CTT portfolio, driving innovation, and ensuring the successful delivery of differentiated new products and technologies to market. You will oversee a team of scientists, engineers, and technicians, fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, technical excellence, and continuous improvement. You will lead and influence through direct and matrix management relationships across a diverse, global organization. This position reports directly to the Vice President CTT and is a key member of the BU leadership team, providing strategic R&D and technology leadership to enable the long-term growth of the business.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and enact the multi-year strategic direction for the R&D function, ensuring alignment with overall business growth objectives, market needs, and P&L priorities to improve competitiveness, profitability, and long-term value creation.
Lead end-to-end development of innovative technologies and solutions, applying advanced design principles, sustainability practices, and digital capabilities to deliver differentiated, high-quality products that meet evolving customer and market needs.
Partner with Product Management to define and prioritize multi-year product and technology roadmaps, incorporating regulatory, environmental, competitive, and market insights.
Build strong partnerships with Engineering, Operations, and Quality teams to ensure manufacturability, reliability, quality, and cost effectiveness.
Establish and lead the strategic and technical collaboration framework with OEM partners, ensuring product design integrity, quality, and performance while protecting Thermo Fisher’s intellectual property and technical leadership.
Manage R&D budgets, resource allocation, and portfolio priorities to optimize R&D investment and achieve business targets. Drive adoption of best practices in systems engineering, design controls, and compliance.
Foster strong cross-functional collaboration across Product Management, Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Commercial teams, ensuring seamless integration of R&D priorities throughout the product lifecycle — from concept and development to launch and sustaining support.
Drive strategic alignment and innovation across external partnerships, leveraging complementary capabilities to accelerate product development, enhance technical differentiation, and support long-term business growth.
Build, mentor and develop a high-performing R&D organization, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Manage R&D budgets, resource allocation, and portfolio priorities to optimize R&D investment and achieve business targets. Drive adoption of best practices in systems engineering, design controls, and compliance.
Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, global standards, and industry norms for safety, quality, and environmental sustainability requirements.
How you will get here:
Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific or engineering field. A master's or Ph.D. is preferred.
Minimum 15 years of progressive R&D leadership experience in complex engineered systems or technology-driven product environments, preferably within regulated, high-reliability, or performance-critical industries, with demonstrated experience leading broad R&D organizations and portfolios.
Strong technical background and expertise in scientific research methodologies, experimental design, and data analysis, combined with strong business and strategic acumen.
Experience managing OEM development partnerships and technology transfers.
Demonstrated track record of successful driving innovation, delivering new products to market, and leading complex, cross-functional organizations and initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate, develop talent, and foster a culture of innovation and collaboration.
Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards relevant to controlled-temperature, laboratory, or other complex engineered products is desirable
Travel requirements
Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25% of the time.