# Head of ENT R&D at Smith+Nephew

Smith+Nephew is hiring a Head of ENT R&D in Austin, United States. Level rates it Little AI ●○○○; you can [apply on Smith+Nephew](https://jobsbylevel.com/go/78f3e001-475b-4169-9253-c70f0b19b535?utm_medium=ai-agent).

AI Level 1, AI centrality 35 out of 100. Austin, TX.

## Details

- Company: [Smith+Nephew](https://jobsbylevel.com/companies/smith-nephew)
- AI level: AI Level 1 (score 35 out of 100)
- Location: Austin, TX
- Posted: November 13, 2026
- Apply: https://jobsbylevel.com/go/78f3e001-475b-4169-9253-c70f0b19b535?utm_medium=ai-agent
- Free CV review for this job: https://jobsbylevel.com/cv-review?job=head-of-ent-r-d-at-smith-nephew-d90768

## Description

Life Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. The Head of ENT R&D is responsible for defining and executing the technology roadmap and driving innovation, new product development, and existing product support for Smith+Nephew's Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) business. The portfolio serves adult and pediatric ENT procedures across three clinical areas: **Ear:** Otitis media, middle-ear conditions, tympanostomy, and related procedures. **Nose & Sinus:** Nasal obstruction, turbinate hypertrophy, chronic sinusitis, epistaxis, and associated procedures. **Throat & Airway:** Tonsillar and adenoid disease, laryngeal conditions, airway obstruction, and related surgical interventions. The technology portfolio includes COBLATION-based surgical energy systems, tissue resection and ablation devices, surgical instrumentation, and associated capital equipment. A key priority is to **expand beyond existing technologies into new clinical applications and emerging areas of ENT,** building a strong pipeline of differentiated products. The successful candidate will be a technically accomplished, customer-focused R&D leader with strong mechanical and electrical engineering expertise, sound business judgment, and a demonstrated ability to translate innovation into commercial products. This is not simply an engineering management role. It requires someone who can personally influence technology direction, engage credibly with surgeons, understand competitive and technology trends, and build high-performing teams. The individual must demonstrate intellectual curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to operate effectively under ambiguity. Prior ENT experience is not required, but the ability to rapidly develop domain knowledge and a deep understanding of customer needs is essential. What will you be doing? Technology Strategy & Innovation - Define and champion the ENT technology roadmap, aligned with customer needs, clinical trends, and business priorities. - Build and nurture a strong innovation pipeline, translating unmet clinical needs into differentiated product concepts and development opportunities. - Identify opportunities beyond the existing COBLATION portfolio, including new technologies, procedures, and adjacent ENT markets. - Develop strong relationships with ENT surgeons, clinical thought leaders, academic institutions, and technology partners. - Assess competitive technologies, emerging treatment approaches, and market trends to guide technology strategy and investment decisions. - Drive rapid feasibility studies, prototyping, and technology evaluations to accelerate innovation. Product Development & Lifecycle Management - Lead end-to-end R&D activities across early innovation, new product development, and existing product support. - Drive development of complex medical devices integrating mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, and surgical energy technologies. - Translate innovative concepts into commercial products with speed while maintaining quality, regulatory compliance, and technical rigor. - Provide technical direction on product architecture, systems engineering, design controls, risk management, and verification and validation. - Ensure continued product performance, reliability, competitiveness, and cost-effectiveness across the existing portfolio. Portfolio, Financial & External Partnerships - Manage R&D budgets, resources, and development priorities to maximize business impact. - Make sound trade-offs across product performance, cost, quality, risk, and speed to market. - Champion external technology and third-party development partnerships to accelerate innovation and execution. - Prioritize development opportunities based on clinical value, competitive differentiation, technical feasibility, and commercial potential. - Drive timely decision-making, organizational responsiveness, and disciplined execution. Organizational Leadership & Collaboration - Build, develop, and

The description is cut here. Read the full offer: https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/head-of-ent-r-d-at-smith-nephew-d90768

Source: https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/head-of-ent-r-d-at-smith-nephew-d90768

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