Staff R&D Engineer

About the role

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life‑changing technologies spans diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. Working at Abbott you can do work that matters, grow, learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of. This position works out of our Plymouth, MN location in the Electrophysiology (EP) division. In Abbott’s EP division we’re advancing the treatment of heart and vascular disease through breakthrough medical technologies, allowing people to restore their health and get on with their lives. As a Staff R&D Engineer you will be part of our Electrophysiology catheter research and development team focused on delivering the future in therapy and diagnostic catheters.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of single‑ and multi‑layer flexible circuits, including rigid‑flex designs.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers) to define design requirements and constraints.
• Create and review detailed flex circuit layouts, stack‑ups, and material selections using industry‑standard CAD tools (e.g., Altium, Mentor Graphics, Cadence).
• Perform design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) reviews with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain documentation including source ECAD design data, Gerber files, BOMs, and risk assessments in accordance with design control procedures.
• Support prototype builds, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis of flex circuit issues.
• Interface with flex circuit suppliers to ensure quality, cost, and delivery targets are met.
• Select materials suitable for medical device applications, considering sterilization, biocompatibility, and long‑term reliability.
• Stay current with industry trends, materials, and technologies in flexible electronics.
• Lead technical teams through problem solving based on a structured approach rooted in engineering fundamentals.
• Effectively communicate with internal stakeholders, cross‑functional team members, external consultants, and physician customers.
• Actively participate in preclinical evaluations and physician engagement activities.
• Write and submit intellectual property.
• Ensure quality system compliance for medical device development.
• Champion design for manufacturability as part of the development process.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Material Science, or related field.
• 6+ years of hands‑on experience in flexible circuit design and development.
• Strong understanding of flex circuit materials, flexible conductor materials, stack‑ups, impedance control and signal integrity.
• Strong verbal and written communications with ability to effectively communicate at multiple levels in the organization.
• Experience leading and managing complex technical workstreams within a large program.
• Ability to leverage and/or engage others to accomplish projects and influence without authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of thermal management and mechanical stress considerations in flex designs.
• Experience with 3D modeling tools for mechanical integration (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo).
• Experience using industry‑standard CAD tools (e.g., Altium, Mentor Graphics, Cadence).
• Experience in regulated industries (e.g., medical devices, aerospace) is a plus.
• Familiarity with supplier qualification and flex circuit manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of sterilization methods (e.g., EtO, gamma, autoclave) and their impact on materials.
• Experience working in a regulated design control environment (e.g., DHF, FMEA, risk management).
• Experienced and knowledgeable in the design of electromechanical systems.
• Experienced with a variety of manufacturing processes and design for manufacturability.

Benefits

• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• Excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution.
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit – an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• Company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• Recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

Pay

The base pay for this position is $99,300.00 – $198,700.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.