Manager, Research, Development and Innovation

Aspen Dental•Chicago, IL

22h•$90 - $105

About The Position

The Aspen Group (TAG) is one of the largest and most trusted retail healthcare business support organizations in the U.S. and has supported over 20,000 healthcare professionals and team members at more than 1,300 health and wellness offices across 48 states in four distinct categories: dental care, urgent care, medical aesthetics, and animal health. Working in partnership with independent practice owners and clinicians, the team is united by a single purpose: to prove that healthcare can be better and smarter for everyone. TAG provides a comprehensive suite of centralized business support services that power the impact of five consumer-facing businesses: Aspen Dental, ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, WellNow Urgent Care, Chapter Aesthetic Studio, and Lovet Pet Health Care. Each brand has access to a deep community of experts, tools and resources to grow their practices, and an unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality consumer healthcare experiences at scale. As a reflection of our current needs and planned growth we are seeking an individual to join our organization as a Manager, R&D and Innovation supporting the Aspen Dental brand. Aspen Dental is looking for a hands-on R&D Manager to lead materials and manufacturing innovation in support of our digital prosthetics and advanced manufacturing strategy. This role is focused on applied materials science, process development, and technology evaluation—turning ideas and emerging technologies into scalable, production-ready solutions. This position is well suited for someone with a strong technical foundation who has worked in medical devices, advanced materials, additive manufacturing, or other regulated manufacturing environments. Dental laboratory experience is not required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related technical field (Master’s preferred).
2+ years of experience in R&D, materials engineering, or process development within a regulated or high-reliability manufacturing environment.
Strong working knowledge of materials science, including polymers, resins, composites, or advanced manufacturing materials.
Experience leading cross-functional technical projects from evaluation through implementation.
Solid analytical skills with the ability to design experiments, interpret results, and solve complex problems.
Ability to translate technical findings into clear, actionable recommendations for business and operations teams.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in dental products, additive manufacturing, or similar regulated industries.
Familiarity with validation, testing, and documentation practices aligned with FDA, ISO, or comparable regulatory standards.
Experience working with external vendors or technology partners.
Prior project or people leadership experience.

Responsibilities

Lead R&D initiatives centered on material performance, process development, and manufacturing innovation.
Evaluate new materials, equipment, and manufacturing technologies with an eye toward scalability, reliability, and real-world performance.
Work closely with Manufacturing, Design, Procurement, and Clinical partners to move concepts from early evaluation into implementation.
Design and execute material testing, validation activities, and process trials using sound scientific and engineering methods.
Collaborate directly with external vendors, suppliers, and technology partners to assess materials, hardware, and platforms.
Provide technical insight into material behavior, failure modes, and process limitations to support informed design and manufacturing decisions.
Develop clear technical documentation, test protocols, and reports, including summaries tailored for leadership and business stakeholders.
Support continuous improvement efforts related to material utilization, manufacturability, and cost optimization.
Manage multiple R&D projects at once, balancing priorities based on business impact and readiness.
Stay current on advances in materials science, additive manufacturing, and regulated manufacturing technologies.