Edwards Lifesciences

Senior Principal Engineer, R&D

USA - California – Irvine Full time

Innovation starts from the heart. At Edwards, we put patients first. We invest a significant proportion of our revenue towards research and development to drive and develop groundbreaking medical innovations for structural heart disease. As part of our R&D Engineering team, you will work closely with our Quality and Manufacturing teams to develop the latest tools and technologies to address significant, unmet clinical needs that impact patients’ lives around the world.

Dedicated to innovation, our Surgical business unit is focused on identifying and solving critical, unmet needs in cardiac surgery. In understanding the challenges of open-heart surgery, we partner with surgical teams to deliver modern technologies intended to enhance patients’ quality of life and expand their potential treatment opportunities. It’s our driving force to help patients live longer and healthier lives. Join us and be part of our inspiring journey.

How you will make an impact:

This is an exciting opportunity with the Surgical Discovery Team to lead the development of premier products that solve meaningful clinician needs.

  • Initiate and lead in the improvement, design and optimization of highly complex experiments and tests, analyze results, provide complex recommendations, and develop reports, based on engineering principles that translate to innovative products

  • Define unmet needs through literature reviews or high-touch engagements such as voice of customer (VOC) with Health Care Practitioners (HCPs)

  • Lead cross functional teams through complex design activities including requirements identification, boundary condition definition, and test method and model development & validations

  • Ideate and generate novel concepts and incept first designs and prototypes

  • Lead early concept development by utilizing predictive engineering methods and tools (e.g. FEA, DOE) and collaborating with enabling technology R&D teams

  • Generate work instructions, test methods, engineering models and drawings/prototypes, etc., to establish/characterize product and/or process specifications

  • Oversee R&D support tasks; give instruction to technicians/engineers on conducting tests; train technicians/engineers and provide feedback; and coordinate technician/engineer work

  • Develop project plans to assess complex technology and drive project results

  • Provide direction and guidance on strategies related to technical solution areas

  • Proactively identify issues, achieve resolution, and resolve problems of highly significant complexity on designing parts, components and subsystems

  • Train, coach, and guide lower level employees on more complex procedures

  • Travel domestically and internationally to congress and society meetings, HCP and internal events, and to observe therapies (up to 10%)

  • Other incidental duties

What you'll need (Required):

  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Scientific field with minimum of 8 years of experience, including either industry or industry/education -OR- Master's Degree or equivalent in Engineering or Scientific field with minimum of 7 years of experience, including either industry or industry/education -OR- Ph.D. or equivalent in Engineering or Scientific field with minimum of 4 years of experience, including either industry or industry/education

  • Demonstrated proficiency in the usage of FE software (ABAQUS or LS-DYNA) to drive initial designs and design iterations

  • Demonstrated proficiency in the usage of CAD software (SolidWorks or Creo) to drive initial designs and design iterations

What else we look for (Preferred):

  • Demonstrated proficiency in early prototyping techniques from raw materials to finished components to full device

  • Demonstrated proficiency in the definition and application of requirements, boundary conditions, and component and product performance

  • Experience with nonlinear mechanics, fatigue, and plasticity

  • Experience with Systems Engineering – system/sub-system level requirements, tolerance stack ups, defining the design space, etc.

  • Demonstrated proficiency with engineering design principles and statistical techniques (e.g. Design of Experiments)

  • Demonstrated proficiency in HCP engagement through VOC sessions, technology presentations, case observations, etc.

  • Strong design control and product development cycle knowledge

  • Materials Science expertise

  • Deep knowledge of manufacturing techniques and requirements (e.g. laser-cutting, injection molding, etc.)

  • Experience with scripting environments such as Python and MATLAB.

  • Demonstrated history of innovation (e.g. patent portfolio)

  • Demonstrated history of commercializing products

  • Strict attention to detail

  • Excellent documentation and communication skills

  • Ability to participate and present at meetings with internal and external representatives, including senior and executive leadership at Edwards, partnering organizations within Edwards, HCPs, regulatory agencies, suppliers, etc.

  • Excellent interpersonal relationship skills including negotiating and relationship management skills

  • Recognized as an expert in own area within the organization

  • Expert knowledge and understanding of principles, theories, and concepts relevant to Engineering

  • Advanced problem-solving, organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills

  • Expert understanding of processes and equipment used in assigned work

  • Strong leadership skills and demonstrated ability to influence change

  • Knowledge of and adherence to Edwards Environmental Health and Safety and Quality guidelines as they relate to department clean room medical device manufacturing

  • Ability to interact professionally with all organizational levels

  • Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast paced environment

  • Represents organization as key technical contact on contracts and projects

  • Interacts with senior external representatives on significant technical matters often requiring coordination between organizations

  • Adhere to all company rules and requirements (e.g., pandemic protocols, Environmental Health & Safety rules) and take adequate control measures in preventing injuries to themselves and others as well as to the protection of environment and prevention of pollution under their span of influence/control

Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families.

For California (CA), the base pay range for this position is $136,000 to $193,000 (highly experienced).

The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.  

Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.

COVID Vaccination Requirement

Edwards is committed to protecting our vulnerable patients and the healthcare providers who are treating them. As such, all patient-facing and in-hospital positions require COVID-19 vaccination. If hired into a covered role, as a condition of employment, you will be required to submit proof that you have been vaccinated for COVID-19, unless you request and are granted a medical or religious accommodation for exemption from the vaccination requirement. This vaccination requirement does not apply in locations where it is prohibited by law to impose vaccination.