Senior Director of Electronics in Edinburgh

Who we are

When a five-year-old boy was blinded after a regular eye exam failed to spot a retinal detachment, his father made it his life’s work to help eye care professionals by revolutionising retinal imaging. Optos (now part of Nikon) was founded in 1992 by Douglas Anderson with the goal to make a patient-friendly device to capture a digital ultra-widefield image of the retina. Today, millions of patients around the world have benefited from optomap® retinal imaging. The experience of Douglas Anderson is a thread that runs through the company to this day and has resulted in our products being used in nearly 30,000 locations globally. Optomap® shows up to 82% (200°) of the retina in a single-capture, offering unrivalled clarity and Optos is proud to be recognised as the leader in this field. In addition, our Monaco and Silverstone devices integrate ultra-widefield retinal imaging and image-guided Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). All devices facilitate the early detection, management and effective treatment of disorders and diseases such as retinal detachments and tears, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration.

Headquartered in Dunfermline (Edinburgh) Scotland, Optos is a fast-growing international company with operations in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Austria, Norway, Australia, Spain and Switzerland.

Who we are looking for

We are currently seeking a highly accomplished Senior Director of Electronics, to lead the development and delivery of advanced electronics and embedded software solutions for our portfolio of industry-leading medical devices. You will set the strategic direction for electronics architecture, innovation, and lifecycle management, while ensuring regulatory compliance, quality, and commercial impact. You will motivate, mentor, and develop a high-performing hardware team, driving collaboration and excellence across the development organisation.

Working closely with the R&D and wider leadership team, you will be responsible for the delivery, performance, and commercial impact of solutions across a range of ophthalmic devices driving organisational growth and positive customer experience through class-leading technologies.

What you will be doing

• Vision & Strategy: Develop and communicate a compelling electronics and embedded systems roadmap that aligns with Optos’ business and technology objectives.
• Team Development: Build, scale, and mentor a high-performing electronics team, fostering a diverse and inclusive culture with a focus on professional growth, training, and career development.
• Technical Leadership: Direct the design, verification, and delivery of complex electronic modules and embedded solutions, ensuring technical targets (cost, quality, reliability, time) are met across novel and legacy products.
• Regulatory & Quality Compliance: Ensure all electronics development and manufacturing activities comply with relevant medical device regulations and standards (e.g., IEC 60601, ISO 13485), including documentation, risk management, and design controls.
• Operating Model & Process Excellence: Establish and continuously improve electronics hardware design processes, methodologies, and best practices.
• Supplier & Vendor Management: Build and manage relationships with internal stakeholders, external suppliers, contract manufacturers, and technology partners.
• Embedded Software Integration: Oversee embedded software architecture and integration as part of overall electronics solutions.
• Lifecycle Management: Support legacy product management, upgrades, and end-of-life planning, ensuring product reliability and regulatory compliance throughout the lifecycle.
• Budget & Resource Management: Manage operational and capital budgets, resource allocation, and project prioritisation to ensure timely and effective delivery.
• Innovation & Technology Scouting: Evaluate emerging technologies and drive adoption of innovations relevant to medical device electronics and embedded systems.
• Metrics & Reporting: Define, track, and report on key performance indicators (quality, cost, delivery, reliability) to drive continuous improvement.
• Security & Data Privacy: Champion best practices in security and data privacy for electronics and embedded systems.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate development strategy, architectural decisions, and programme risks effectively to stakeholders and senior management.
• Agile & Cross-functional Leadership: Lead the adoption and continuous improvement of Agile, Lean, and other modern development practices; foster cross-functional collaboration and delivery excellence.

Who you are

• Extensive senior leadership experience in electronics development environments, including processes and tool chains for volume manufacture.
• Deep understanding of end-to-end electronics development flow, including design, verification, review checkpoints, and gateway management.
• Direct experience with complex electronics design (low-level circuit design, PCB development, embedded systems).
• Demonstrated success in project and resource management, preferably within agile and regulated environments.
• Experience in working with electronics manufacturing facilities and supporting volume production requirements.
• Proven track record of building, leading, and developing high-performing electronics teams.
• Strong analytical, presentation, and communication skills (verbal, written, listening).
• Commitment to quality, process improvement, and innovation.
• Knowledge of security and data privacy best practices for electronic systems.
• Ability to travel to customer, supplier, and non-customer locations (as required).

Contact: Valérie Lafille – Ways International - v.lafille@ways-intern