Chief Operations Officer

About Us

At Veltist, a project under the Wyss Zurich initiative, we are at the forefront of transforming post-operative care with our innovative platform technology, Anastoseal. Our mission is to develop the next generation of implantable biomaterials aimed at sealing, healing, and seamlessly integrating with human tissue.

Project Background

As a MedTech spin-off from the ETH Domain, including ETH Zurich and Empa, Veltist is evolving from a successful research phase into an ambitious growth period. We are focused on:

• Advancing our technology towards first-in-human clinical trials.
• Expanding our technical capabilities.
• Creating a dynamic team centered on ownership, rigor, and impact.

Collaboration with leading surgeons, clinicians, and regulatory experts ensures our innovations deliver clinical significance and technical excellence. Joining our team means engaging in a mission-driven environment devoted to purposeful science and impactful healthcare transformations.

Responsibilities

Manufacturing & Technical Operations

• Develop and implement an agile, ISO 13485-compliant cleanroom and manufacturing process.
• Integrate quality and manufacturing into an effective execution framework.
• Lead the establishment of analytical processes and infrastructure.
• Contribute ideas and solutions to achieve milestones efficiently and promptly.

Regulatory & Quality Leadership

• Coordinate the creation and maintenance of a fit-for-purpose Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with MDR and FDA Class III device standards.
• Track toxicology, verification & validation, and regulatory documentation.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO, R&D team, and external consultants for timely regulatory steps.

Strategic & Commercial Readiness

• Identify potential commercial or strategic partnerships related to sub-products and the platform.
• Assist in developing funding applications.
• Engage in discussions with medtech industry business development teams.
• Identify new opportunities stemming from Veltist's platform and create actionable business plans in partnership with the CEO.

Team Operations & Execution

• Support recruitment and establishment of a high-performance team across manufacturing, quality assurance, and R&D.
• Implement milestone tracking across teams.
• Enhance agility and robustness in company operations.

Profile

We seek a motivated individual eager to embark on a profound journey of bringing life-saving technologies to market while playing a pivotal role in the medtech sector. Ideal candidates should be:

• Inspired by humility, driven, and committed to meaningful work.
• Passionate about smart, goal-oriented planning and strategy.
• Excited to cultivate a familial culture in a growing company.
• Aimed at having a tangible impact and influencing the full lifecycle of medical innovation.

Qualifications

• Over 10 years of experience in leading medtech enterprises or successful medical device (or related) startups, focusing on operations and/or technology development.
• Experience with implantable devices or surgical materials; familiarity with abdominal care is advantageous.
• Profound regulatory knowledge across MDR and FDA pathways.
• Strong connections within the medtech industry, understanding the evaluation process that strategic players employ.
• Experience with licensing or M&A, assessing both technical and strategic readiness.
• Proficient in fast and efficient operations within regulatory frameworks.
• Hands-on leadership experience with diverse teams while exercising emotional intelligence and tactical clarity.

Education

• A relevant higher education or university degree is essential.
• A PhD in applicable fields such as engineering, natural sciences, or economics is highly advantageous.
• An MBA or equivalent business management qualification from a reputable institution is a plus.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in medical devices is preferred.

Workplace Benefits

• Competitive salary package reflective of experience and fit.
• Equity participation (ESOP) associated with contributions and seniority.
• Defined leadership growth opportunities within a high-impact, fast-evolving startup.
• Access to exceptional resources through ETH Zurich, Wyss Zurich, Empa, and extensive clinical networks.
• Additional benefits in accordance with ETH Zurich employee policies.

Commitment to Diversity

At ETH Zurich, we uphold an inclusive culture that promotes equality of opportunity and values diversity. We strive to foster a working and learning environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected.

Join Us

We are excited about the possibility of you joining our team and making a significant impact in the field of healthcare innovation.