Company Overview
Sonder Research X is developing innovative cancer diagnostics by integrating pathology, advanced imaging, artificial intelligence, and complementary biological data. Our multidisciplinary team works across scientific, engineering, computational, and clinical disciplines to develop novel diagnostic technologies that improve cancer detection and patient care.
As Sonder advances toward clinical validation and commercialization, we are committed to building the regulatory and quality capabilities necessary to support sustainable growth while maintaining scientific excellence.
Position Overview
We are seeking a Quality & Regulatory Affairs Lead to establish and strengthen the quality and regulatory capabilities needed to support Sonder's continued growth. This individual will lead the development and implementation of scalable quality systems, strengthen our Quality Management System (QMS), and help establish the regulatory strategies necessary to support clinical validation, regulatory readiness, and future commercialization.
Working closely with Research, Clinical Development, Laboratory Operations, Manufacturing, AI, Software Engineering, and Executive Leadership, this individual will integrate quality and regulatory requirements into product development and operational decision-making, provide practical guidance across multidisciplinary teams, and help ensure Sonder is prepared for increasing regulatory and quality requirements as our clinical and commercial activities advance.
This hands-on leadership role is ideal for an experienced quality and regulatory professional who can translate applicable requirements into practical systems and processes, personally drive implementation, and establish evidence that those processes are effective and sustainable.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Management Systems
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve Sonder's Quality Management System, including SOP governance, document control, training, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), change control, and quality documentation.
- Coordinate internal audits, support external inspections, and establish scalable quality processes appropriate for the company's stage of growth.
- Foster a culture of quality by integrating practical, sustainable quality systems across the organization.
Quality & Regulatory Operations
- Partner with scientific, laboratory, and operational teams to integrate regulatory and quality requirements into research, laboratory operations, clinical development, and future commercialization activities.
- Support laboratory quality initiatives and future CLIA readiness while ensuring regulatory and quality considerations are incorporated early into new scientific and operational initiatives.
Regulatory Affairs Strategy & Compliance
- Develop and maintain Sonder's regulatory strategy and roadmap supporting future diagnostic products, clinical validation, and commercialization initiatives.
- Monitor evolving FDA, CLIA, CAP, and other applicable regulatory requirements, providing regulatory guidance across research, laboratory operations, clinical development, and platform development.
- Support regulatory planning for laboratory-developed tests (LDTs), in vitro diagnostics (IVDs), companion diagnostics, regulatory submissions, and agency interactions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with Research, Clinical Development, Laboratory Operations, Manufacturing, AI, Software Engineering, and Executive Leadership to translate regulatory requirements into practical business processes.
- Serve as a trusted advisor by providing regulatory and quality expertise supporting strategic partnerships, commercialization initiatives, and organizational decision-making.
Organizational Development
- Establish scalable regulatory and quality capabilities that support Sonder's continued growth and evolving business needs.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen organizational processes while recommending future regulatory and quality capabilities as the company advances toward commercialization.
Requirements:
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, or a related scientific discipline.
- 5–8+ years of progressive experience in Regulatory Affairs, Quality Systems, or a combination of both, in biotechnology, diagnostics, medical devices, or other regulated life sciences.
- Working knowledge of FDA regulations and quality system requirements.
- Experience supporting or developing Quality Management Systems, including SOP governance, document control, and audit readiness.
- Strong project management, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-stage biotechnology environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting molecular diagnostics, pathology, digital pathology, AI-enabled healthcare technologies, or in vitro diagnostics.
- Familiarity with CLIA, CAP, ISO 13485, and laboratory quality systems.
- Experience supporting FDA submissions or regulatory agency interactions.
- Experience building regulatory or quality capabilities within a startup or growth-stage organization.
Success in the First 12 Months
The successful candidate will establish the regulatory and quality foundation needed to support Sonder's continued growth by:
- Developing a scalable regulatory strategy aligned with Sonder's clinical validation, regulatory readiness, and commercialization objectives.
- Strengthening the Quality Management System (QMS) by establishing practical, sustainable processes for SOP governance, document control, training, CAPA, and change control.
- Improving organizational readiness for FDA, CLIA, CAP, and future regulatory and quality inspections.
- Building strong cross-functional partnerships that integrate regulatory and quality considerations into research, laboratory operations, clinical development, and product development.
- Supporting regulatory planning for future diagnostic products, laboratory-developed tests (LDTs), and commercialization initiatives.
- Establishing a regulatory and quality infrastructure that scales alongside Sonder's scientific, clinical, and commercial growth.
Visa Sponsorship Requirement:
No, I do not need sponsorship now or in the future
Sonder's Recruiting & Hiring Process:
Sonder Research X Recruiting & Hiring Process
We appreciate your interest in joining Sonder Research X. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and we typically identify qualified candidates for the next stage within 2–3 business days.
-
Application Review: We will review applications to identify candidates whose experience and qualifications most closely align with the position's requirements.
-
Brief One-Way Video Interview: Selected candidates will be invited to complete a short one-way video interview with three questions about their prior Quality and Regulatory Affairs experience. Candidates will have a brief period to prepare before recording each response. No advance preparation is required.
-
First Interview: Candidates who advance from the video interview will meet with our Senior Manufacturing Engineer to discuss their background, relevant experience, and alignment with the role's needs.
-
Second Interview: Selected candidates will meet with our Lab Manager and a scientist supporting Sonder's regulatory efforts for a deeper discussion of quality systems, regulatory experience, and how they have approached challenges in previous roles.
-
Case Study: Finalists will complete a brief, practical case study designed to understand how they approach real-world quality and regulatory challenges. Candidates may draw upon prior experience without sharing confidential or proprietary information.
-
Final Interview: Candidates who successfully complete the case study will meet with our CEO/CSO for a final conversation about the role, Sonder's direction, and mutual fit.
Our goal is to conduct a thoughtful and efficient process while giving both Sonder and each candidate the opportunity to determine whether there is a strong fit. The full hiring process may take approximately 3–4 weeks, depending on scheduling and candidate availability. We appreciate your patience and will keep candidates informed as they progress through each stage.
Thank you for your interest in Sonder Research X. We look forward to learning more about your experience and the perspective you could bring to our team.
Benefits:
The comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, generous paid time off, a 401(k), an annual professional development budget, and a Coursera subscription.
Location & Relocation Assistance
This onsite position is based in North Brunswick, New Jersey. Candidates located outside of New Jersey are encouraged to apply.
Relocation assistance will be considered for highly qualified candidates.
Why Join Sonder Research X?
At Sonder Research X, you'll have the opportunity to help build a critical capability at an important stage in our company's growth. Your work will directly influence how we strengthen our quality systems, prepare for increasing regulatory requirements, and advance our novel cancer research toward clinical validation and future commercialization.
This role offers significant opportunity for professional growth as Sonder's quality and regulatory needs continue to evolve. You'll have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership, expand your scope and responsibility, and grow alongside a company advancing innovative approaches to cancer detection and diagnosis.
