Role Overview for Chief Technology Officer – Los Angeles, CA
JRG Partners, a premier executive search firm, is proud to partner with an innovative and rapidly growing medical device company based in the vibrant tech hub of Los Angeles, CA. Our client is at the forefront of developing life-changing technologies that enhance patient care and improve clinical outcomes. They are seeking a visionary, strategic, and hands-on Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to join their executive leadership team and steer the company’s technological direction during a pivotal phase of growth and product expansion.
As the CTO, you will be the principal architect of the company’s technology strategy, responsible for the entire product development lifecycle, from initial concept and R&D through to commercialization and post-market surveillance. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of medical technology, build and mentor a world-class engineering organization, and make a tangible impact on global health.
You will be tasked with overseeing the development of complex systems that integrate sophisticated hardware, cutting-edge software, and advanced data analytics, all within a strictly regulated environment. The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader with a deep understanding of the medical device industry, a passion for innovation, and a proven track record of bringing complex, regulated products to market successfully. You will be a key driver of innovation, ensuring our client’s technology platform remains best-in-class, scalable, secure, and compliant with all global regulatory standards.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Technology Officer – Los Angeles, CA
The Chief Technology Officer will have a broad range of responsibilities, encompassing strategic leadership, technical execution, and team development. Success in this role requires a blend of technical depth, business acumen, and inspirational leadership.
Strategic & Visionary Leadership
- Define and execute the company’s long-term technology vision and product roadmap, ensuring tight alignment with overall business objectives, market needs, and clinical goals.
- Act as the primary technology evangelist and thought leader, both internally and externally, representing the company at industry conferences, with key opinion leaders, and to potential partners.
- Conduct continuous analysis of the competitive landscape, emerging technologies (such as AI/ML, IoT, and digital health), and clinical trends to identify opportunities for innovation and strategic advantage.
- Collaborate closely with the CEO, board of directors, and other C-suite executives to drive corporate strategy and inform critical business decisions with a technology-centric perspective.
Product Development & Engineering Excellence
- Lead and manage the entire R&D and engineering organization, including software development, hardware engineering, quality assurance, and project management teams.
- Implement and refine agile development methodologies and best practices to optimize the product development lifecycle, increase efficiency, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality products.
- Oversee the design, development, and verification/validation of complex medical device systems, ensuring they meet stringent performance, reliability, and safety requirements.
- Champion a culture of quality and excellence, ensuring adherence to design controls, risk management (ISO 14971), and quality management systems (ISO 13485).
Regulatory & Quality Assurance
- Ensure all technology development activities and products are in full compliance with applicable global regulatory standards, including FDA (21 CFR Part 820), CE Marking (MDR), HIPAA, and GDPR.
- Partner with the regulatory affairs team to develop submission strategies and provide all necessary technical documentation for regulatory filings (e.g., 510(k), PMA).
- Establish and maintain robust cybersecurity protocols and data privacy policies to protect sensitive patient health information (PHI) and ensure system integrity. A deep understanding of FDA regulations for medical devices is paramount.
- Oversee the quality assurance function, including automated and manual testing, to guarantee product quality and reliability before market release.
Team Leadership & Development
- Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing, multi-disciplinary engineering team. Foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive culture that attracts and retains top talent.
- Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and manage the performance and professional growth of direct reports and the wider technology organization.
- Manage the technology budget, including resource allocation, vendor management, and capital expenditures, to maximize ROI and achieve strategic goals.
Requirements for the Chief Technology Officer – Los Angeles, CA
We are seeking a candidate with a distinguished career in technology leadership, specifically within the highly regulated medical device or healthcare technology space.
Required Qualifications:
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related technical field. An advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) is highly preferred.
Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in technology and product development, with at least 7-10 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., VP of Engineering, CTO) within the medical device, MedTech, or digital health industry.
Regulatory Expertise
Demonstrable, hands-on experience successfully leading products through the full development lifecycle under FDA and international regulatory controls. Direct experience with Class II or Class III medical devices is essential.
Technical Acumen
Broad and deep technical knowledge spanning software (SaaS, mobile, embedded systems), hardware, systems engineering, and data science. Experience with connected devices and cloud-based platforms is critical.
Leadership
Proven ability to build, scale, and lead high-performance engineering teams of 50+ individuals. A track record of fostering innovation and mentoring future leaders.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in a venture-backed startup or high-growth company environment.
- Expertise in developing products incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).
- Strong background in cybersecurity best practices, particularly as they relate to medical devices and protected health information.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate a complex technical vision to a wide range of audiences, including investors, clinicians, and commercial teams.
- Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and the ability to translate business needs into a coherent technology strategy.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier talent and offers a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package, including:
Competitive Salary
A highly competitive base salary commensurate with experience.
Executive Equity Package
A significant stock option or equity grant, providing a meaningful stake in the company’s success.
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.
Retirement Plan
401(k) plan with a generous company match.
Generous Paid Time Off
Flexible and generous PTO policy, plus company holidays, to support a healthy work-life balance.
Professional Development
A dedicated budget for conferences, training, and continued education to support your professional growth.
Wellness Programs
Company-sponsored wellness initiatives and stipends.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for exceptional candidates.
How to Apply
This is a retained search being conducted exclusively by JRG Partners. If you are a transformative technology leader with a passion for improving healthcare and meet the qualifications outlined above, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.
To be considered, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and leadership philosophy. JRG Partners are medical device executive search specialists, and our dedicated team will review all applications with the utmost confidentiality. We look forward to connecting with you to discuss how you can shape the future of medical technology.
