R&D Manager - Front End Innovation Technical Development

Job Description:

R&D Manager - FEI Technology Development

At Solventum, we enable better, smarter, safer healthcare to improve lives. As a new company with a long legacy of creating breakthrough solutions for our customers' toughest challenges, we pioneer game‑changing innovations at the intersection of health, material and data science that change patients' lives for the better while enabling healthcare professionals to perform at their best. Because people, and their wellbeing, are at the heart of every scientific advancement we pursue.

As a R&D Manager, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Assisting in the Identification and prioritization of front‑end innovation (FEI) and technology exploration programs that shape future products, platforms, and technology strategies
• Allocating resources across exploratory programs to balance speed, risk, and potential impact
• Driving early technical de‑risking by supporting direct reports in identifying critical unknowns, designing focused experiments, and generating data that clarifies feasibility, scalability, and differentiation
• Energizing work groups by fostering a climate that encourages curiosity, experimentation, calculated risk‑taking, learning from failure, and strong teamwork while developing technical talent capable of operating effectively in early‑stage, uncertain environments
• Working collaboratively with Product Development, Marketing, Medical Affairs, Manufacturing, Quality, and Regulatory to ensure front‑end solutions are actionable and positioned for effective transition to new product development
• Developing and maintaining deep awareness of external technologies, emerging science, startup activity, and academic research relevant to the organization's future technology landscape and integrating external insights into internal FEI programs and roadmaps

To set you up for success in this role from day one, Solventum requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in a science or engineering discipline (completed and verified prior to start) from an accredited institution
• 7 years of relevant experience in a regulated industry, medical devices preferred, utilizing design controls to design, develop, verify, validate, and commercialize new products

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Masters degree or higher in an applicable technical field
• Previous experience managing people, leading teams, and developing/managing budgets
• Expertise in project technical leadership with the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate, mentor, and grow talent
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, familiarity with strategizing on early technical innovations
• Broad technical depth across relevant disciplines including materials, engineering, and biology
• Experience collaborating with marketing, laboratory, quality, regulatory, and other functions common in Med Tech
• Experience in evaluating technology readiness
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint), strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to read and understand technical drawings

Hybrid – required on‑site at Maplewood, MN/Eagan, MN (moving in couple of months) OR San Antonio, TX office on a weekly basis.

May include up to 25% domestic/ international

May be authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Solventum offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, Solventum regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.

Applicable to US Applicants Only:
The expected compensation range for this position is $163,200 - $224,400, which includes base pay plus variable incentive…