Business Operations Manager — Medical Devices & Biotechnology

Join us at Cahira Technologies: an MIT spinoff, fast-moving deep-tech startup pushing the boundaries of science & innovation

About the company

Cahira Technologies Inc is an MIT spinoff company () building the world’s first autonomous and non-surgical brain implants for brain-AI symbiosis.

Already validated in our animal studies, this breakthrough has been honored with several esteemed awards such as the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award with the highest and rarely achieved impact score, the MIND Prize, and featured by BBC, Forbes, CNN, Bloomberg, MIT News etc. It is poised for clinical translation for treating intractable neural diseases as well as for transcending humans beyond biological limitations.

Join us in our exciting journey to define the future of neurotechnology and human augmentation!

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced, hands-on Business Operations Manager to help run the company’s operational infrastructure.

What you will do

• Research partnerships and contracts: Negotiate, manage and execute CRO contracts, research collaboration and facility-access agreements with universities and external research facilities, material transfer agreements (MTAs), laboratory leases, and vendor and consulting agreements. Coordinate approvals; track budgets, deliverables, renewals, and contractual obligations.

• Patent licensing and portfolio development: Lead commercial negotiations with universities and other IP owners. Evaluate licensing terms, coordinate diligence and agreement execution, and manage ongoing license obligations, reporting requirements, and deadlines. Partner with scientific teams and patent counsel to develop and manage the patent portfolio, including identifying protection gaps, prioritizing new filings and international coverage, and overseeing patent deadlines and budgets.

• Financial and operational oversight: Oversee purchasing, vendor management, invoicing, and accounting processes; lead budgeting, financial analysis, and cash-flow projections; and work with accountants and operations associates to maintain accurate QuickBooks records, effective financial controls, and GAAP-compliant financial reporting.

• Grant budgeting and tracking: Lead preparation of grant budgets and budget justifications; track expenditures against approved budgets; and coordinate financial reporting, budget revisions, and compliance with funder requirements.

• Laboratory facilities and safety: Oversee laboratory renovations and facilities projects, including contractor coordination, budgets, schedules, and permitting. Ensure environmental health and safety (EHS) and Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) compliance.

• Corporate and tax compliance: Maintain the company’s compliance calendar and coordinate timely tax filings, corporate registrations, annual reports, insurance renewals, and other applicable obligations with accountants, counsel, and service providers.

• People operations: Manage recruiting logistics, onboarding and offboarding, employee records, payroll and benefits coordination, and implementation of HR policies.

• Broader business operations: Take on additional operational responsibilities and cross-functional projects as needed to support the smooth running and growth of the business.

Required qualifications

• At least four years of relevant operations experience, including prior hands-on experience at a medical device, biotech, or biomedical startup.

• Demonstrated experience negotiating patent and technology licensing agreements, preferably with universities or research institutions, in collaboration with legal counsel.

• Demonstrated experience leading patent portfolio development and management in collaboration with scientific teams and external patent counsel, including prioritizing filings, coordinating international patent coverage, and managing patent deadlines and budgets.

• Experience with budgeting, financial analysis, cash-flow forecasting, and oversight of QuickBooks-based accounting, including working with accountants to maintain financial controls and GAAP-compliant reporting.

• Experience developing grant budgets and budget justifications, monitoring grant expenditures, and coordinating financial reporting in accordance with funder requirements.

• Demonstrated experience leading negotiations and managing agreements with CROs, universities, research facilities, and vendors, including research collaboration agreements, material transfer agreements (MTAs), and laboratory leases.

• Experience coordinating corporate compliance, HR administration, and laboratory or facilities operations.

• Working familiarity with EHS and BSL-2 laboratory requirements.

• Strong project management, written communication, negotiation, and follow-through skills.

• Sound judgment when handling confidential information, prioritizing competing needs, and identifying issues requiring specialist input.

• Ability to work independently and handle both complex projects and everyday operational tasks.