Situation
In early 2018, Auris Health, Inc., a pioneering surgical robotics startup, achieved a major milestone: FDA approval for The Monarch Platform—the first robotically assisted bronchoscope with integrated vision. This innovation marked a transformative moment in minimally invasive diagnostics and treatment. Following this breakthrough, Auris secured over $220 million in funding to accelerate commercialization and scale its product pipeline.
Recognizing the need for exceptional leadership to drive future innovation, Auris engaged HCRI to lead executive and technical recruiting for its expanding R&D organization.
Recruiting Solution
HCRI was tasked with architecting the foundational leadership team for Auris Health’s critical R&D division. This required more than just filling roles—it demanded a strategic buildout of talent capable of advancing next-generation surgical platforms in a highly competitive and regulated space.
To meet this challenge, HCRI deployed a multi-phase recruiting strategy:
- Leadership Alignment: HCRI partnered directly with Auris’s executive team to define the competencies, cultural fit, and innovation mindset required for R&D leadership roles.
- Market Mapping & Outreach: Leveraging deep domain expertise in medtech and robotics, HCRI conducted targeted outreach across top-tier engineering, clinical, and product development talent pools.
- Scalable Infrastructure: HCRI built a recruiting engine tailored to Auris’s growth trajectory, enabling rapid hiring without compromising quality or compliance.
- Embedded Partnership: HCRI operated as an extension of Auris’s internal team, providing ongoing consultation on organizational design, compensation strategy, and talent forecasting.
This approach ensured that every hire was not only technically excellent but also aligned with Auris’s mission to redefine surgical care.
Results
Over a three-year period, HCRI’s recruiting efforts catalyzed a 300%+ increase in company headcount, including more than 190 full-time hires across engineering, clinical development, and product leadership. These strategic placements fortified Auris’s innovation pipeline and positioned the company for long-term success.
In 2019, Auris Health was acquired by Johnson & Johnson for $3.4 billion, with an additional $2.3 billion tied to development milestones—underscoring the value of the talent infrastructure HCRI helped build.
Key Hires
Electrical Engineering
Software Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Firmware
Clinical Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Marketing
Medical Education
Regulatory Affairs
Supply Chain
