Head of QA/RA (SaMD)

<img src="https://app.gurulink.ca/img/gl_logo_112x112.jpg" border="0"><br><br><b>Location:</b> REMOTE / Winnipeg, Manitoba - Canada<br><b>Job Type:</b> Permanent<br><br><b>Description:</b><p>The client is a healthcare AI company turning routine lab results into clinically validated chronic disease risk predictions. Their algorithm is CE marked in Europe through a partnership with a global diagnostics company and is being embedded into specialty care workflows through a second strategic partnership. They closed a funding round in the past year and are growing the team fast.<br><br>THE OPPORTUNITY<br><br>This is the company's first Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs leader. You report to the CEO, sit on the leadership team, and run QA/RA as its own pillar of the business. You start hands-on and build the function as the product pipeline moves through FDA.<br><br>You own the quality management system and the regulatory submissions that make this a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) company. The products are AI-driven prognostic algorithms built on routine lab data, and FDA authorization of novel devices is a near-term priority. You work across product, engineering, clinical, data science and operations, take a risk-based approach to every QA control, and hold the line when a decision adds patient risk without benefit.<br><br>WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE<br><br>&#8226; A company-wide QMS built and running, compliant with ISO 13485 and FDA QMSR, and through certification. &#8226; FDA pre-submissions and De Novo requests led and moving toward authorization. &#8226; Design control, risk management (ISO 14971) and change control templates built with engineering and actually used. &#8226; Analytical and clinical validation studies designed with clinical and data science leaders to support product claims. &#8226; A clear plan for which QA/RA work stays with consultants and vendors, which comes in-house, and who gets hired as the team grows.<br><br>DAY TO DAY<br><br>&#8226; Own CAPA, complaint management, nonconformances, internal audits and management review. &#8226; Serve as management representative and lead certification and regulator audits. &#8226; Contribute to global regulatory strategy for current and future products with product, engineering and commercial leaders. &#8226; Own post-market surveillance, including real-world performance monitoring of AI models, registrations, labeling and quality agreements with partners. &#8226; Run QMS training for employees and teach engineers and business staff who are new to medical devices. &#8226; Manage QA/RA consultants and vendors, then hire and lead the QA/RA team.</p><br><b>Must Have skills:</b><p>&#8226; 10+ years in medical device QA/RA, including 5+ years with SaMD and 3+ years leading QA/RA programs or teams. <br>&#8226; Built a SaMD QMS to ISO 13485 and owned it through certification audit. <br>&#8226; Led multiple SaMD marketing submissions (De Novo, 510(k) or PMA) through FDA authorization. <br>&#8226; Fluency with IEC 62304, ISO 14971, and FDA software and cybersecurity guidance. <br>&#8226; Fluency with eQMS and traceability tools (Ketryx, Greenlight Guru, Jira or similar). <br>&#8226; Hands-on delivery of QA/RA artifacts (procedures, technical file components, marketing submissions) at more than one SaMD company. <br>&#8226; Secured marketing authorization for a SaMD product in more than one region (US, EU MDR). <br>&#8226; Early QA/RA hire (team under 5) at a growth-stage SaMD company. <br>&#8226; Working knowledge of health data privacy (HIPAA) and security standards (ISO 27001). <br>&#8226; Strong communicator who can teach engineers and business stakeholders who are new to medical devices.</p><br><b>Nice to have skills:</b><p>&#8226; De Novo experience for a diagnostic or prognostic product. <br>&#8226; FDA authorization for multiple diagnostic or prognostic products on one platform (e.g., several lab analysis or imaging products). <br>&#8226; In vitro diagnostic (IVD) or laboratory-based analytical software. <br>&#8226; AI or ML SaMD, including Predetermined Change Control Plans (PCCPs). <br>&#8226; SaMD used outside specialty care or inpatient settings (e.g., primary care). <br>&#8226; Complaint handling through CRM tooling (Salesforce, HubSpot).</p><br><br>

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