R&D Supervisor

Job Title: R&D Supervisor

Job Description

The R&D Supervisor leads a laboratory team in a fast-paced medical device environment, providing technical and people leadership across research and development activities. This role oversees laboratory operations, resource planning, and project prioritization to support product development, design verification testing, regulatory submissions, and other R&D initiatives. The supervisor combines strong scientific expertise in chemistry, biology, or related disciplines with strategic thinking and business awareness to drive laboratory excellence, ensure high-quality testing, and maintain compliance with applicable quality requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of laboratory personnel through coaching, mentoring, and employee development, while fostering a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
• Establish priorities and allocate laboratory resources to ensure successful execution of testing, method development, and project deliverables.
• Oversee daily laboratory operations to ensure high-quality testing, appropriate resource utilization, and adherence to applicable quality system requirements.
• Develop and maintain laboratory capabilities, infrastructure, and resource plans that support evolving business needs and organizational objectives.
• Support capital planning, equipment strategy, and laboratory investments to maintain robust and efficient laboratory operations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance laboratory efficiency, product and test quality, customer experience, and overall operational performance.
• Develop, monitor, and communicate laboratory operational metrics, project status, and resource capacity to management and key stakeholders.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including Design Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Process Development, Manufacturing, Clinical, and Quality, to support product development and design verification activities.
• Demonstrate a primary commitment to patient safety and product quality by maintaining compliance with the Quality Policy and documented quality processes and procedures.
• Assure that appropriate resources are maintained to support Quality System compliance and regulatory expectations.
• Establish and promote a work environment that supports the Quality Policy, Quality System, and ongoing continuous improvement.

Essential Skills

• Strong understanding of laboratory operations within a regulated industry environment.
• Experience with test method development, qualification, validation, and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of design verification activities and product development processes in a scientific or engineering context.
• Working knowledge of statistical analysis tools and methodologies, including design of experiments (DOE), Minitab, and data trending.
• Strong project management, planning, and organizational skills, with the ability to lead teams through changing priorities and evolving business needs.
• Proven experience setting direction, aligning resources, and providing guidance to technical and laboratory teams.
• Ability to cultivate a collaborative environment that supports employee development through coaching, mentoring, learning, and professional growth opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to drive results through collaboration and effective stakeholder engagement.
• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in R&D, laboratory operations, testing, method development, analytical sciences, quality, or a related technical field within a regulated environment.
• Minimum of 2 years of leadership experience, including team leadership, project leadership, or technical leadership.
• Experience working in a regulated industry, preferably within the medical device sector.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Technical foundation in chemistry, biology, or a related scientific field.
• Commitment to quality and continuous improvement within laboratory and product development activities.
• Business awareness and strategic thinking to align laboratory capabilities with organizational goals.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple concurrent projects.
• Comfort working with cross-functional teams across design assurance, regulatory affairs, process development, manufacturing, clinical, and quality functions.
• Experience contributing to regulatory submissions through robust testing and documentation.
• Ability to develop and interpret laboratory operational metrics to inform decision-making and resource planning.

Work Environment

This position is fully on-site at a laboratory facility near Minneapolis, MN. The role operates on a first-shift schedule, typically from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in a fast-paced medical device environment that emphasizes patient safety, product quality, and compliance with quality system requirements. The work involves hands-on laboratory activities, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and use of statistical tools and laboratory equipment to support testing and method development. The environment promotes a culture of quality, continuous improvement, and professional development, with a focus on maintaining appropriate resources, infrastructure, and equipment to meet evolving business and regulatory needs

This is a Contract position based out of Minneapolis, MN.

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $55.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a Contract position based out of Minneapolis, MN.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 27, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Minneapolis,MN.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.