Cambridge Design Partnership
Product Development Lead - Diagnostics
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Technical Lead – In Vitro Diagnostics & Life Sciences End-to-End Technical Innovation Partner – Cambridge, UK | Hybrid (Min. 3 Days On-Site)
CDP designs and develops point-of-care, home, and lab-based in vitro diagnostics (IVD) systems and life science tools for leading global diagnostics and life sciences companies. From early-stage concept to product launch, this role focuses on guiding technical teams to drive tomorrow’s innovative products while serving as a trusted technical ambassador for CDP in a high-impact, client-facing environment.
About the Role
You will:
- Lead technical product development, overseeing delivery of client projects with exceptional quality and acting as programme manager for large-scale initiatives—interface daily with clients and stakeholders to ensure technical alignment and success.
- Identify sales opportunities by collaborating with EU and US business developers from warm leads and fostering industry relationships; align technical capabilities with market demand.
- Empower the technical sector team, with responsibility for mentoring talent from graduate to senior levels in IVD/Life Sciences design and development, including recruitment and talent migration within CDP.
- Heighten CDP’s industry presence by presenting at global conferences; strengthen long-term client relationships with client managers.
- Drive operational excellence: advocate for best practices in design-to-manufacture, regulatory compliance (IVDR, MDR), and operational scale.
Primary Responsibilities
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Client and Project Leadership
- Oversee client project deliverables for technical excellence, acting as project leader for large programs; hold regular client meetings.
- Champion, and operate at all levels: from proposals through commission and specification meetings to prototyping and final launch.
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Strategic Sales and Business Development
- Partner with sector business developers and external contacts to cultivate high-value sales pipelines.
- Rising-star opportunity: shape next-generation diagnostics while enhancing CDP’s reputation in life sciences & diagnostics research.
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Talent Development
- Mentoring and nurturing a multidisciplinary technical team (including MRI/development, electrical, mechanical/assemblies and assurance specialists).
- Recruit top-tier talent internally and externally based on competency (concept generation, design, prototyping).
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Knowledge and Market Influence
- Connect with the IVD and Life Sciences industry through global conference engagements.
- Build client relationships with client managers to increase longevity and collaboration.
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Public & Thought Leadership
- Presentational credibility, international conference participation, and public-facing advocacy for дизайн даа.
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Regulatory & Operational Competency
- Stay compliant with regulatory standards—IVD Regulation and Medical Device Regulation (including MDR) and design trading component changes for performance; ISO13485 and ISO1471 processes, 21 CFR Part 820.
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Customers & Flexibility
- Work with customer needs by tailoring design through delivery into high-value partners.
- Key: stand and grow demonstrable technical credibility daily to host consultancy projects, offering long-term strategy and implementation.
Required Skills & Attributes
Seeking a highly independent technical leader with:
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Domain Expertise
- Deep knowledge of IVD or Life Sciences diagnostics—be able to effectively translate, present, and consult on design optimization.
- PROFILE: expertise in navigate trade-offs (featuring complex biochemical assays and usability versus manufacturing scalability correct alignment, underpinned by)
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Design Systems
- Practical experience in concept to high-volume manufacturing (including consultation on process technologies, machinery, and DfM).
- Hands on facility with:
- Design & prototyping (quick iteration driven)
- Design of experiments (DOE) and statistical data validation for IVD and Lifesciences applications
- Design lead-ready IVD and modularity investigation
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Regulatory Depth
- MDR, IVDR, ISO13485, ISO14971, 21CFR Part 820 compliance familiarization—commerce market readiness and functional safety discussions.
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Technical Sales & Advocacy
- Effective account management—trouble shooting engaging with clients, vendors, regulatory services, and business developers.
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- Leadership & Team Development
- Team trasformation expert
- influential, collaborative, and business oriented—balance between nurturing talent and scaling execution.
- Preferable: breadth of experience in national and international technical teams.
- Team trasformation expert
Experience & Qualifications
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Industry Background (Non-Negotiable)
- Proven experience in medical or in vitro diagnostics companies (idea to launch-completion cycle).
- Alternatively, consultancy experience with IVD/Life Sciences clients who've reached the market successfully.
- Three years+ in mechanical engineering, life sciences product management, or instrumentation.
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Product & Account Leadership
- Demonstrated success in leading/worthy projects (p&9 involving quality, time, cost accountability).
- Proposal contribution in sales account phases and long-term project interactions.
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Qualification
- Degree (or equivalent college program) in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Natural Sciences, or related discipline.
Why Work With CDP?
CDP is the innovation partner shaping the future of diagnostics and life sciences— joining us means being part of an employee-owner firm where your expertise changes the world:
Why you’ll like it:
- Flexibility and hybrid working with ambiance at cutting-edge Cambridge facilities and 3 days minimum on-site commitment.
- Innovative employee-owned model leading to dynamic, transparent commitment.
Global Cooperation:
- Attend offices in Boston & Raleigh, USA for client and team collaboration.
- Travel as a regular part of the role for millennium projects.
Culture & Benefits
- Powerful tech audience—CDP embraces staff input in taking ideas from concept to design to room for innovation.
- Compensation & Growth
- Number of potential awards: discretionary bonus, share-incentive scheme, pension.
- Corporate Perks including low-cost private health insurance, EV salary sacrifices, and professional development opportunities.
A dynamic environment with learning rewards and a clear career pathway for underpinning growth potential—embrace a career vindicating European innovation in diagnostics.
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