At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative R&D projects in animal health, driving technical excellence and collaboration.
- Company: Join MSD, a diverse and inclusive leader in animal health technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team that values innovation and continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on animal health while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in technical leadership and system architecture required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
This job is with MSD, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
About Technology Solutions
Our company's Animal Health Technology Solutions offers global animal identification and monitoring solutions for companion animals and livestock. These solutions enable pet owners to better manage the health and well-being of their pets and enable livestock producers to improve well-being and animal production. Technology Solutions include Core Technologies in Livestock Identification, Dairy, Beef and Swine monitoring, for which the product/market fit is established, as well as products in discovery.
Our Technology Solutions division is evolving. We are moving to a Product Operating Model - a new way of working that empowers product teams to take full ownership and accountability for delivering customer and business value in ways our customers love and that work for the business. Our product teams are cross-functional and durable, bringing together all the skills required to deliver impactful outcomes. Each team includes a Product Manager, Technology Lead, Product Designer, Delivery Lead, engineers, and developers. We believe in customer centricity, ownership, and accountability. Solutions must be:
- Valuable - customers choose to buy or use them
- Viable - aligned with business constraints and goals
- Usable - intuitive and user-friendly
- Feasible - achievable with our technical capabilities
Leadership of the team is shared between the Product Manager and the Technology Lead, ensuring balanced guidance that bridges product vision and technical execution.
We have a new role for a Director R&D Technical Lead - Animal Health. This is for an individual contributor to be based either in Cambridgeshire, U.K. or San Diego, U.S. Travel requirement for the role: 25%
R&D Technology Lead Role
As Technology Lead, you will be the technical cornerstone of our product team. You will drive the architecture, technical quality, and delivery across hardware, software, data, AI and design. Partnering closely with the Product Managers, designers, and engineers you will ensure that technical solutions align with product goals, customer needs, and business outcomes. Your role is to lead by example, foster a culture of technical excellence, and ensure the team delivers scalable, high-impact and maintainable technology solutions throughout the product lifecycle.
We are looking for Technology Lead who:
- Thrive on technical ownership, accountability, and customer focus
- Are comfortable signing up for measurable results, even when this means working through others to achieve them
- Collaborate across R&D, leveraging internal platforms and core technical capabilities
- Use data, logic, and influence to guide teammates, stakeholders, and executives
- Foster an environment of continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration
Key Responsibilities
Technical Strategy & Architecture
- Collaborate with Product Managers and designers to translate product goals into technical solutions, with a keen focus on value, business outcomes, and user experience.
- Define and lead product architecture, ensuring scalability, performance, and maintainability.
- Lead the product technical design and implementation of product features, ensuring alignment with product vision and customer needs, along the full product lifecycle.
- Drive architectural decisions for the product, in partnership with functional technology leaders, and advocate for best practices in hardware development, software development, data, AI, testing, and deployment.
Collaboration & Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner with functional R&D leads to support and grow engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and technical excellence.
- Mentor and coach engineers, modelling best practices across hardware, software, and data engineering.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Product Management, Design, Supply Chain and Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, and Customer Success to ensure alignment and delivery.
- Facilitate effective communication and collaboration across cross-functional teams, connecting technical teams directly with customers as appropriate.
Quality, Delivery & Innovation
- Ensure speed to market of our products, while maintaining appropriate focus on quality, scalability, and performance.
- Identify technical risks early and proactively define mitigation strategies.
- Stay current with emerging technologies, industry trends, and the competitive landscape to continuously improve product capabilities and technical processes.
- Drive innovation by leveraging internal platforms and core technologies while exploring new approaches.
Performance & Accountability
- Share accountability with the Product Manager for delivering measurable results against agreed product metrics.
- Define, track, and report on technical performance metrics (e.g., system uptime, scalability, reliability, technical debt management, code quality).
- Ensure engineering practices meet high standards for security, compliance, and sustainability.
- Take ownership of technical trade-offs and ensure decisions balance customer needs, business outcomes, and long-term maintainability.
Required education, experience and skills:
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, information systems or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Proven experience in system architecture / engineering, technical leadership, or leading development teams in a product-driven environment.
- Strong technical expertise in relevant programming languages, frameworks, and cloud infrastructure.
- Demonstrated expertise in hardware design and engineering as well as software development practices.
- Deep understanding of the product development lifecycle and agile methodologies.
- Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound technical decisions under uncertainty.
- Experience mentoring and leading engineering teams to deliver high-quality, scalable solutions.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with customers, Product, Design, and Business Stakeholders.
- Passion for building products that solve real customer problems and deliver measurable value.
- A mindset of ownership, accountability, and customer focus; comfortable signing up for results and driving outcomes through others when needed.
- Passion for fostering team innovation and leveraging the collective ideas and expertise of cross-functional colleagues.
- Business experience in both large-scale companies and start-ups preferred.
Closing date for applications: 31st May 23.59
Required Skills: Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Technology, Collaborative Communications, Collaborative Leadership, Electrical Engineering, Hardware Development, Manufacturing, Pasture Management, Product Lifecycle, Product Management, Technical Debt, Technical Leadership
Preferred Skills: Business Enterprise Architecture (BEA), Capability Development, Emerging Technologies, Financial Management, Innovation, Organizational Structures, Portfolio Management, Professional Development, Solution Architecture, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Planning, Workforce Planning
Director R&D Technical Lead – Animal Health, U.K. (Cambridgeshire)/U.S. (San Diego) employer: MSD
MSD is an exceptional employer that champions inclusivity and diversity, making it a great place for professionals seeking meaningful work in the Animal Health sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, collaborative culture, and innovative technology solutions, team members are empowered to take ownership of their projects while contributing to impactful outcomes for both pets and livestock. Located in vibrant Cambridgeshire or sunny San Diego, employees enjoy a dynamic work environment that fosters continuous learning and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director R&D Technical Lead – Animal Health, U.K. (Cambridgeshire)/U.S. (San Diego)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at local meetups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their mission and values, especially how they relate to animal health technology. This will help you connect your experience to what they’re looking for.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills align with the role of Director R&D Technical Lead. Highlight your technical expertise and leadership experience, and don’t forget to show your passion for animal health.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and helps us keep track of all applicants.
We think you need these skills to ace Director R&D Technical Lead – Animal Health, U.K. (Cambridgeshire)/U.S. (San Diego)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Director R&D Technical Lead. Highlight your experience in technical leadership and product development, focusing on how you've driven results in similar roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about animal health technology and how your skills align with our mission at StudySmarter. Keep it engaging and personal.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:In your application, don't shy away from showcasing your technical skills. Mention specific programming languages, frameworks, and any relevant projects that demonstrate your ability to lead technical teams effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at MSD
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Director R&D Technical Lead, you'll need to showcase your deep understanding of system architecture and engineering. Brush up on relevant programming languages, cloud infrastructure, and hardware design principles. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working closely with Product Managers, designers, and engineers. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated across teams in previous roles. Highlight your ability to foster communication and drive results through teamwork.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to face technical challenges during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific instances where you've made sound technical decisions under pressure. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Emphasise Customer-Centric Solutions
The company values customer focus, so be ready to talk about how you've developed products that solve real customer problems. Share metrics or feedback that demonstrate the impact of your work on customer satisfaction and business outcomes.
