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Head of R&D – Instruments/Solutions for Materials Characterization

Location Nänikon, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland Date posted June 26, 2026 Job ID 22418
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Our Opening and Your Responsibilities
As the Head of R&D and member of the management team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our business unit. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of approximately 25 experts across electronics, mechanics, sensors, embedded software, PC based software, physical fundamentals, and technical documentation. You will take ownership of the entire product development lifecycle, from technology research and product development to engineering change management and product maintenance.

Working within a decentralized international matrix organization, you will collaborate closely with Product Management, Marketing, Application Specialists, Service, and Operations to define and execute the future product roadmap. Through your leadership, technical expertise, and strong execution focus, you will help accelerate innovation, strengthen engineering excellence, and ensure successful delivery of future product generations.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead, develop, and inspire a multidisciplinary R&D organization of approximately 25 experts across Hardware, Software, Physics, Analytics, and Technical Documentation.
  • Drive the future product portfolio and technology roadmap in close collaboration with Product Management and Marketing.
  • Ensure excellence across the entire product development lifecycle, from concept and system architecture through market launch and product maintenance.
  • Drive engineering excellence by strengthening development processes, requirements management, verification, validation, documentation, and execution discipline across the organization.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement.
  • Define and optimize the balance between internal development capabilities and external development partners to accelerate innovation and execution.
  • Build and leverage strategic partnerships with universities, research institutes, and external development partners.
  • Own the R&D budget, resource allocation, recruitment activities, and organizational development of the department.
  • Drive innovation, cost competitiveness, product serviceability, product transfer initiatives, and accelerated time to market while supporting global manufacturing strategies.
What You Need to Succeed
Your Profile:
  • University degree in Engineering, Physics, Mechatronics, or a related technical discipline, ideally complemented by a business qualification such as an MBA, Executive Master, or equivalent.
  • Proven experience leading complex instrument, mechatronic, or high tech product development projects from concept to market launch.
  • Several years of leadership experience managing multidisciplinary R&D teams within an international matrix environment.
  • Strong engineering background in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, mechatronics, systems engineering, hardware development, and software-enabled product solutions.
  • Experience collaborating with external development partners, universities, research institutes, or innovation ecosystems.
  • Solid experience working with PLM and PDM environments to support efficient product development and lifecycle management.
  • Track record of driving innovation, continuous improvement, organizational development, and engineering excellence.
  • Strong communication, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills, combined with a visible, hands on, and empowering leadership style characterized by close collaboration with teams and active engagement across the organization.
Our Offer to You
We offer:
  • Flexible working hours (depending on the role), a hybrid work model, and a wide portfolio of training opportunities
  • A 40-hour work week with at least 25 vacation days per year, plus 4 to 7 additional days off between bank holidays
  • Free parking and direct access to public transport
  • Healthy lunches cooked onsite at our own METTLER TOLEDO restaurant, with special prices for employees 
  • A range of additional attractive benefits, including employee discounts at select area businesses
You can expect challenging, interesting, and varied tasks in an innovative and international environment, with the opportunity to network globally and achieve your career goals.

Have we raised your interest? Then we look forward to receiving your complete application at our Job portal.

Please note that we do not accept any application documents via e-mail, only applications submitted on our job platform due to our data protection guidelines. Furthermore, we do currently not accept applications from recruitment agencies for this role.

If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact our Talent Acquisition Team ta-ch@mt.com.
About Mettler Toledo
METTLER TOLEDO is a global leader in precision instruments and services. We are renowned for innovation and quality across laboratory, process analytics, industrial, product inspection, and retailing applications. Our sales and service network is one of the most extensive in the industry. Our products are sold in more than 140 countries, and we have a direct presence in approximately 40 countries. For more information, please visit www.mt.com.
Equal Opportunity Employment
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We give consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other protected classification. You can find more details in our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.
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We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We give consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification. Learn your EEO rights as an applicant under the law.

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