Late Stage Disruptive Medical Device Startup
the role
Director of Hardware & Software Engineering
THE CHALLENGE
One Role. Two Disciplines. Zero Room for Error.
Our client faced mounting pressure to deliver on a fast-paced commercial launch of an innovative medical imaging technology—but lacked the right engineering leader to drive it forward.
They needed a rare hybrid: a hands-on Director of Hardware & Software Engineering with deep MedTech experience, capable of coding, leading complex teams, and aligning with executive leadership.
The role demanded both startup agility and enterprise discipline, plus a niche blend of hardware/software expertise. With a tight timeline and geographic constraints in the Great Lakes region, the available talent pool was limited—and the stakes too high for compromise.
OUR approach
Summit Search Consultants deployed a targeted recruitment strategy:
Extensive Candidate Search: We headhunted 393 candidates, working to identify individuals who had demonstrated success in best-in-class medical technology organizations alongside impact within innovative startups.
Precision Screening: 102 candidates were interviewed by SSC in our structured multi-stage vetting process to evaluate leadership skills, technical expertise, and proven software engineering success.
Tailored Geography: SSC canvased the entire Great Lakes region while engaging talent from multiple highly regulated industries to ensure robust coverage.
The Result
Following a comprehensive evaluation of a final shortlist comprising 12 exceptional professionals, our client was pleased to advance two outstanding candidates to the final stage. This meticulous process identified a hyper-local expert with exceptional proficiency in both hardware and software, extensive industry experience, and a unique blend of startup innovation and large-scale organizational expertise.
“How did you find these candidates? Your team did a wonderful job of guiding us through this search. You took us from a walk to a run and delivered results even with significant geographic restrictions.”
— VP of Engineering
