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  • Post Date: May 21, 2026
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Job Description
Job title:  Head of Research and Development

Location: Pretoria (Hybrid)
Join a pioneering Biomedical Innovation company as the Head of Research and Development. Lead a passionate team of engineers, shape the technological vision, and directly influence the development of life-saving technologies from concept to commercialisation.

We are seeking a strategic and visionary leader to shape the future of our client’s technology portfolio. In this high-impact role, you will report directly to the executive leadership team and oversee a multi-disciplinary R&D department, including hardware, firmware, software, and production engineering.

You will take full ownership of the entire product lifecycle, from conceptualisation to commercial release and post-market scaling.

The ideal candidate is a systems thinker comfortable evaluating hardware schematics, embedded C++ architectures, as well as designing AWS cloud infrastructure, mobile app ecosystems, and departmental roadmaps.

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree (BEng) in Electronic, Electrical, Biomedical, or Computer Engineering.
  • 10+ years of professional engineering experience, with a proven track record of taking complex, multi-layered products from concept to commercial release.
  • 3+ years in a senior management or director-level role, successfully leading multi-disciplinary technical teams (hardware and software).
  • Experience operating within a highly regulated industry (e.g., medical devices, aerospace, or automotive).
  • Deep architectural understanding of our core tech stack: C++ (embedded), JavaScript/Node.js, Python, Rust, C#, and Bash.
  • Strong practical experience with hardware design, isolated circuits, and debugging within a manufacturing/production environment.
  • Demonstrated experience designing or overseeing AWS cloud environments and connected application ecosystems.
  • Exceptional system design skills with a history of documenting, reviewing, and standardising complex, system-wide architectures.

Advantageous but not essential:

  • A Master’s degree in Engineering (Electronic Engineering or Electrical Engineering combined with Biomedical Engineering, or Computer Engineering, or a multi-disciplinary engineering and sciences academic background)
  • Experience with Embedded Linux
  • Experience with mobile application frameworks such as React Native. 

Key Responsibilities:

  • Strategic Department Leadership: Lead, scale, and mentor a multi-disciplinary engineering department. Manage cross-functional functions to foster a culture of cross-functional collaboration, innovation, and engineering excellence.
  • Architectural Oversight: Drive the high-level system design across our entire technology stack, ensuring seamless, robust integration between mechanical design, hardware, embedded systems, mobile applications, and cloud environments.
  • Product Lifecycle & Commercialisation: Take ultimate ownership of complex products from R&D scoping and prototyping through to validation, production engineering, and successful market launch.
  • Engineering Quality & Resource Management: Establish the operational frameworks and standards for rigorous design reviews, architecture documentation, and quality control. Manage R&D budgets, resource allocation, and project timelines.
  • Regulatory & Compliance Strategy: Play a key role in supporting the regulatory strategy, ensuring all hardware and software designs adhere strictly to standards and cyber risk assessment protocols.
  • Cross-Functional Alignment: Work closely with product management, biomedical specialists, and executive leadership to align technological capabilities with commercial goals and user needs.
IMPORTANT INFO:  

  • South African citizenship is essential
  • By submitting your application and personal information, you explicitly consent to Let’s Recruit processing your personal data solely for the purposes of evaluating your suitability for this position and other potential opportunities. All personal information provided will be handled in compliance with applicable South African data protection laws and will be securely retained or destroyed as required by legislation.
  • While we strive to provide responses to all applicants, if you do not hear from us within 14 days of your application, please consider your application unsuccessful.
  • Successful candidates will be notified within 14 days of application.
  • Let’s Recruit reserves the right to withdraw or modify this vacancy at any time without notice.
To apply, send your detailed CV to cv@letsrecruit.co.za

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