Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs Lead, SaMD

We're hiring a Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs Lead to build, implement, scale, and lead Cadence's Quality Management System and regulatory strategy for AI-enabled, software-driven healthcare products. This leader will own the quality and regulatory framework for Cadence's technology-enabled care model, including Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), AI-enabled device software functions, clinical decision support, cloud-based systems, and product workflows that may impact patient care, clinician decision-making, and regulated medical device obligations.

This is a high-impact role hands-on-leadership role for a quality and regulatory leader who can operate at the intersection of AI, software, clinical operations, product development, and medical device compliance. You'll partner across Product, Engineering, Data Science, Clinical, Operations, Security, Legal, Compliance, and external regulatory advisors to ensure Cadence builds responsibly, scales compliantly, and maintains strong inspection readiness as AI-enabled capabilities evolve.

•     Own Cadence's QMS strategy and regulatory operating model for AI-enabled healthcare software, SaMD, clinical decision support, and technology-enabled care workflows.
•     Lead quality system governance across design controls, risk management, CAPA, change control, document control, training, supplier quality, validation / computer software assurance, audit readiness, complaint handling, and post-market quality monitoring.
•     Serve as process owner for policy governance and patient incident / incident / feedback intake, triage, escalation, documentation, and closure, in close alignment with Compliance leadership.
•     Partner with Product, Engineering, Data Science, Clinical, Security, Legal, Compliance, and Regulatory stakeholders to assess intended use, device classification, regulatory pathway, clinical risk, cybersecurity impact, and QMS requirements for new and evolving software capabilities.
•     Establish practical, risk-based processes for software design controls, requirement traceability, verification and validation, usability / human factors, release readiness, anomaly management, AI/ML lifecycle governance, production monitoring, and post-deployment surveillance. 
•     Support regulatory strategy and submissions for AI-enabled device software functions, including 510(k), De Novo, pre-submission interactions, technical documentation, software documentation, cybersecurity documentation, and Predetermined Change Control Plans where applicable.
•     Lead QMS effectiveness, management review readiness, inspection readiness, quality metrics, audit responses, regulatory commitments, CAPA trends, complaint trends, and continuous improvement activities. 

•     10+ years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Systems, or Quality Compliance, with meaningful leadership experience across software, product, clinical, and technical teams.
• Deep experience in regulated software, digital health, SaMD, AI-enabled medical device software, healthcare technology, or medical device environments.
•     Strong command of medical device QMS processes, including design controls, risk management, CAPA, audits, document control, training, supplier quality, complaint handling, change control, validation / CSA, quality metrics, and management review.
•     Experienced building and operationalizing QMS processes in practice, including training teams, assigning process owners, building usable records, improving policy governance, and preparing for external review or inspection. 
•     Experienced with software and AI/ML lifecycle expectations, including requirements management, verification and validation, model performance evaluation, dataset governance, change control, post-market monitoring, and risk-based release decisions.
•     Deep understanding of applicable regulatory and industry requirements, including FDA QMSR / 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, ISO 14971, IEC 62304, FDA software guidance, cybersecurity expectations, FDA 21 CFR Parts 803 and 806, and risk-based quality methodologies.
•     A strong operator and communicator with sound judgment, strong escalation instincts, and the ability to influence across technical, clinical, regulatory, compliance, and business audiences. who can build scalable systems, harmonize processes, raise standards, and make quality and regulatory practices usable for fast-moving product and engineering teams.

Compensation

Our job titles may span more than one career level. Salary Range: $160,000 – $200,000 per year. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed represents the minimum and maximum base salary for all US positions across high and low-cost labor markets. An individual’s final pay rate will be based on their geographic location, skills, experience, and relevant education or training.Target Hiring Range: While the full range for this position is $160,000 – $200,000, our anticipated hiring band for most locations is $160,000 – $180,000.Total Compensation: In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for equity options, comprehensive health benefits, a 401(k) match, and a remote work stipend.