R&D Engineer I - Memphis - Onsite

Medtronic is a global leader in healthcare technology with a Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. Our 95,000 employees work across more than 150 countries to put patients first — developing innovative medical technologies that improve the lives of 72+ million patients each year.

About the role

As an R&D Engineer I in our Cranial & Spinal Technologies (CST) operating unit, you will develop life-saving medical device products for spine surgery. You will collaborate with a team to lead new product development, design implants, instruments, and systems, conduct product and use testing, and manage system interfaces. This role focuses on spinal implants and instrumentation to treat degenerative, deformity, and tumor/trauma conditions.

You will actively seek Voice of the Customer (VOC) input and translate it into product requirements, design specifications, and mechanical concepts. You will work under general direction and may serve as a key functional core team member or as an engineer on an extended team.

Responsibilities

• Supports and implements all aspects of multiple simultaneous designs and development of new medical device products from initial design to market release in accordance with agreed project timelines and NPI Development processes.
• Conceptualizes designs that meet the needs and uses of the customer, regulatory agencies, and the business.
• Provides technical insight into the definition, evaluation, and mitigation of risk of system designs, including understanding system interfaces, use cases, and conditions.
• Investigates and resolves system and design issues, makes improvements to address customer feedback and requests, and supports testing activities.
• Engages with customers (internal and external) to understand and prioritize their needs and apply feedback to improve designs.
• Translates customer needs into stakeholder and system requirements.
• Optimizes designs by designing and conducting relevant tests, experiments, and evaluations, including numerical verification.
• Supports the design and execution of verification and validation activities, ensuring products meet user needs, system requirements, and intended use.
• Writes engineering reports and creates presentations as required to document and communicate results.
• Contributes and builds domain knowledge around spinal systems, their clinical use and application via customer and field visits, pre-clinical in vivo labs, literature searches, and training.
• Supports documentation throughout all phases of research and development.
• Participates in meetings with outside suppliers and consultants to ensure timely delivery.
• Investigates and evaluates existing technologies.
• Contributes inventions, new designs, and techniques regarded as advances in the medical and technical/scientific community.
• Maintains training and ensures personal understanding of all quality policy/system items that are applicable. Follows all work/quality procedures to ensure quality system compliance and high-quality work.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a technical-related degree — Mechanical Engineering or Biomedical Engineering with a focus or experience in mechanical design is preferred.
• Design agility in a fast-paced environment with a quality and customer service mindset, along with a sense of urgency and ownership.
• Creativity in design, documentation, and problem-solving with speed as a priority.
• Capability to define and follow priorities with multiple simultaneous projects.
• Knowledge of surgical instruments use conditions and OR setup (Spine is a plus).
• Strong collaborator in a cross-functional and multi-cultural team environment.
• Strong team player aiming to win as a team.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Experience with engineering drawing standards, including GD&T and tolerance stacks.

Skills

• Experience with CREO, SolidWorks, or similar 3D CAD program.
• Clinical knowledge for the use of products.
• Knowledge of spinal anatomy relative to surgical procedures.
• Experience in the use of systems engineering methodologies, including requirements development, analysis, allocation, review, tracing, and verification/validation.
• Ability to effectively communicate and work collaboratively with others as a member of a team.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, including machining and 3D printing.
• Understanding of the spinal medical device industry and competitor products.
• Working knowledge of other disciplines.
• Experience with PLM software such as Agile and Windchill.
• Experience working in an FDA-regulated and/or medical device environment with ISO and Quality System Regulation requirements.

Schedule

In-person exchanges are invaluable to our work. Employees are required to work a minimum of 4 days a week onsite to foster a culture of professional growth and cross-functional collaboration.

Pay

Salary ranges for U.S. locations (excluding Puerto Rico) are $74,400.00 - $111,600.00 (USD). This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP). The offered rate complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as experience, certification/education, market conditions, and location.

Benefits

The following benefits are available to regular employees who work 20+ hours per week:

• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability leave
• Dependent daycare spending account
• Tuition assistance/reimbursement
• Simple Steps (global well-being program)
• Incentive plans
• 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match
• Short-term disability
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums)
• Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums)

Temporary employees are eligible for paid sick time, as required under applicable state law, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Travel Expectation: Less than 10% — travel domestically 1 to 2 days a month.