Thomas Kurth

About Thomas Kurth

Experienced R&D leader with 10+ years of success driving product development and commercialization across complex medical technologies, including laboratory automation and software-driven surgical devices. Brings a strategic, results-oriented approach to technical program management – grounded in systems thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and user-centered innovation. Passionate about developing breakthrough health and medical technologies that advance patient care and improve lives.

Experience

1. Senior Systems Engineer, Technical Manager Molecular Diagnostics

   Abbott

   Mar 2023 — Present · Des Plaines, IL, US

   Technical project leader of cross-functional teams overseeing full lifecycle development and strategic execution of highly automated molecular diagnostic instruments, from concept through regulatory approval and market launch. • Led the successful 2-year product development and launch of Alinity mp Pre-Analytical Instrument for simpli-Collect, enhancing laboratory automation and expanding access to HPV testing through innovative self-collection technology• Manage and mentor systems engineering team, fostering professional growth and driving execution of high-priority projects• Drive decomposition of user needs to system, product, and functional-level requirements and design verification and validation strategies• Subject matter expert (SME) in compliant RMFs and risk processes that drive safe and effective design: identify and escalate system risks using FMEA tools; investigate and implement risk controls; own and maintain risk documentation• SME in Human Factors engineering, including user-centered design and usability study design for regulatory compliance• Develop project plans, identifying project deliverables, resources, business risks, and timelines for product launches• Lead collaboration with contract manufacturers and key suppliers to align on design requirements, ensure manufacturability, and support seamless design transfer to production• Execute regulatory strategies and support submissions for successful global product launches, including FDA submissions, CE Marking, and alignment with international standards

Education

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  Master of Business Administration - MBA

• University of Illinois Chicago

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Biomedical Engineering

Skills

• Minitab
• Leadership
• C
• Programming
• Technical Writing
• Public Speaking
• Sales
• Teamwork
• C++
• Biomedical Engineering
• Matlab
• R&D
• Mathematica
• Solidworks
• Java
• Arduino