Director of Software Engineering – R&D

At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate boldly, champion progress, and act with speed as the global leader in eye care. Here, you'll be recognized for your commitment and contributions and see your career like never before. Together, we go above and beyond to make an impact in the lives of our patients and customers. We foster an inclusive culture and are looking for diverse, talented people to join Alcon.

WaveLight GmbH in Erlangen is a global leader in the development and production of innovative laser systems for use in eye surgery. WaveLight's laser and diagnostic systems enable highly precise and minimally invasive correction of visual impairments. At the Teltow site, WaveLight develops and manufactures an electronic guidance system for positioning intraocular lenses during cataract surgery, as well as eye-tracking systems for laser procedures. Since 2009, WaveLight has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Alcon.

As Director of Software Engineering – R&D, supporting cross-functional engineering and clinical teams, you will be trusted to lead global execution and drive technical strategy across multiple international development centers, while being based in our Erlangen office.

In this role, a typical day will include:

• Lead the design, development, and integration of software components for advanced surgical systems, including embedded controls, host applications, and visualization tools
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as engineering, clinical, hardware, and regulatory to define requirements and ensure smooth subsystem integration
• Oversee execution across global development sites, managing dependencies, resources, and timelines for complex, multi-location software programs
• Shape software architecture and strategy for future platforms, assess new technologies, and guide their adoption to enhance system performance
• Ensure compliance with medical device standards and internal quality systems, driving design controls and risk management throughout the development lifecycle
• Lead Agile teams, promote continuous improvement, implement engineering best practices, and mentor teams while maintaining clear communication with executive leadership

WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO ALCON:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field is required; a Master's degree or equivalent experience is preferred
• Fluent in both German and English, with excellent communication, stakeholder management, and organizational skills
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in software development for complex systems, including at least 5 years in the medical device or healthcare technology sector
• Demonstrated leadership in delivering embedded and system-level software for regulated products, with a strong track record in compliance and quality
• Proven experience in managing global, cross-functional teams and leading multi-disciplinary development programs
• Strong technical expertise in embedded systems, real-time software, system integration, and the full software development lifecycle in regulated environments.

HOW YOU CAN THRIVE AT ALCON:

• Take ownership of strategic software initiatives with a high degree of autonomy, working on impactful and technically challenging projects that advance surgical innovation
• Collaborate in a dynamic, cross-functional global team environment, contributing to solutions that improve patient outcomes worldwide.
• Benefit from competitive compensation and professional development opportunities
• Join a market-leading multinational company and work with high-quality products

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