Jobs at Kailera Therapeutics (Now Hiring) — 15 open

What You’ll Do:

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director, Device Engineering, to lead the development and launch of drug-device combination products, with a strong emphasis on autoinjectors, pre-filled syringes, and multidose pens. This role will drive cross-functional collaboration across CMC, quality, regulatory, manufacturing, clinical, and commercial teams to ensure robust product development aligned with meeting patient needs, global standards, and regulatory expectations.

 

Required location: Waltham, MA (hub-based, onsite 3-4 days per week)

 

Responsibilities:

• Lead combination product development projects (prefilled syringes, autoinjectors, and/or multidose pens) from concept through commercialization
• Build and execute project plans with clearly defined risks and milestones
• Develop device and combination product requirements, including user and stakeholder needs and technical requirements, and ensure appropriate engineering translation and subsequent verification and validation of requirements
• Oversee and ensure compliance with design controls per FDA and ISO 13485 requirements
• Manage risk management activities in accordance with ISO 14971, including hazard analysis, FMEA, and risk mitigation strategies
• Drive design verification and validation activities, including test method development, protocol execution, and documentation
• Oversee human factors and usability engineering efforts, ensuring compliance with FDA guidance and IEC 62366
• Facilitate design transfer to manufacturing, ensuring smooth transition and scalability
• Partner cross-functionally with CMC, quality, regulatory, clinical development, commercial/marketing, supply chain, and other key functions to ensure critical inputs are integrated into device development activities
• Author relevant portions of regulatory submissions (INDs, IMPDs, NDAs, BLAs, etc.) for devices and combination product programs
• Manage and collaborate with vendors, including Contract Design and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) and suppliers, to ensure components and products meet quality and technical requirements and to integrate deliverables into the project Design History File at various stages of development and manufacturing
• Manage and collaborate with contract test labs to ensure testing strategy, method validation, and test execution are aligned with relevant standards and quality and technical requirements and integrate testing results into the Design History File
• Ensure product development aligns with relevant standards including ISO 11608-1, ISO 11040, ASTM D4169, ISO 14971, IEC 62366

 

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in medical device or combination product development, with at least 3 years in a team leadership role
• Proven experience with autoinjector, pre-filled syringe, or multidose pen development and launch, including authoring clinical and commercial regulatory submissions
• Deep understanding of design controls, design verification, test method development and validation, risk management, human factors, and design transfer
• Strong knowledge of applicable regulatory standards and guidance documents
• Excellent communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a regulated pharmaceutical or biotech environment
• Familiarity with combination product regulations (21 CFR Part 4)
• Experience with supplier management of external development, testing, and manufacturing partners
• PMP certification or formal project management training is a plus

 

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field. Advanced degree preferred.