Principal Biomechanical Engineer

WearOptimo; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

WearOptimo in Brisbane seeks a Principal Biomechanical Engineer to lead design, testing and validation of biomechanical aspects for Microwearable™ Hydration sensors. You will drive device–skin interfaces, ensure comfort and biocompatibility, and shepherd designs from concept to manufacture with cross‑functional leadership.

The role requires hands‑on expertise, a PhD in a related field and 8+ years in biomechanical/medical device engineering, plus experience with regulatory standards and

Qualifications

• Hands‑on biomechanical testing and validation for wearable devices.
• Strong experimental design and data interpretation skills.
• Experience guiding cross‑functional teams through product development.

Responsibilities

• Lead device–skin interface design for secure adhesion and comfort.
• Define biomechanical performance requirements and acceptance criteria.
• Design and conduct mechanical engagement testing and histology analysis.
• Plan on‑body hydration clinical trials and data analysis.
• Ensure biocompatibility and compliance with ISO and regulatory standards.
• Support transfer of designs to manufacturing and scale‑up.
• Coordinate with vendors, labs and partners for validation and deliverables.
• Maintain design files, test protocols and technical documentation.

Skills

Biomechanical testing

Data analysis

Statistical analysis

CAD

Finite element analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Programming (statistical / data)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biomechanical, Biomedical, or Mechanical Engineering

PhD in biomechanics or biomedical engineering

Tools

Statistical software

CAD software

Job description

As Principal Biomechanical Engineer at WearOptimo in Brisbane, you will lead the design, testing and validation of the biomechanical aspects of Microwearable™ Hydration sensors. You will combine biomechanics, materials science and biomedical engineering to optimise the device–skin interface, ensuring comfort, biocompatibility and accurate biosignal capture. Working as a hands‑on principal individual contributor, you will take biomechanical designs from concept through verification and clinical evaluation into manufacture, while providing technical guidance across multidisciplinary projects.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of the device–skin interface to ensure secure adhesion, reliable skin engagement of microelectrodes, comfort and optimal signal transmission.
• Define biomechanical performance requirements and acceptance criteria, balancing mechanical, biological and electrical performance.
• Design and conduct mechanical engagement testing using ex vivo animal models and subsequent histology analysis.
• Plan and participate in on-body hydration clinical trials, contributing to study design, device preparation and data analysis.
• Design for biocompatibility, product safety and relevant regulatory standards.
• Support the transfer of biomechanical designs, assembly processes and test methods into manufacturing and scale‑up.
• Plan and deliver biomechanical work packages to agreed scope, milestones and quality standards.
• Collaborate with electrical, embedded systems, manufacturing, AI and clinical teams to share results, troubleshoot issues and support product development milestones.
• Provide technical guidance and design review to engineers and scientists on biomechanical design, experimental design and test methods.
• Develop test plans, fixtures and automated test systems where appropriate, and characterise the sensitivity, reliability and variability of device–skin interfaces and sensor systems.
• Analyse results, document findings and drive iterative design improvements.
• Contribute to risk management, design controls, technical documentation and compliance with applicable regulations, standards and safety requirements.
• Coordinate with vendors, test laboratories, clinical research partners and collaborators to support technical delivery, validation and manufacturing readiness.
• Maintain accurate and traceable design files, test protocols, test reports and technical documentation.
• Use AI and LLM tools in accordance with company policies while maintaining accountability for work produced and protecting company intellectual property.
• Follow health, safety, environmental, quality management and regulatory requirements, and contribute to continuous improvement activities.

What we're looking for

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Biomechanical, Biomedical, or Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years’ industry or research experience in biomechanical or medical device engineering, with a proven track record of taking designs from concept through verification and into clinical use or production.
• Demonstrated hands‑on laboratory expertise in mechanical testing, data analysis, and validation of biomedical or wearable devices.
• Strong analytical skills, including experimental design and statistical analysis, with experience using statistical software or programming to model and interpret test data.
• Experience across the product development lifecycle, from concept through to manufacturing and launch, working within a cross‑functional team.
• A PhD in biomechanics, biomedical engineering, or a related field.
• Experience designing and validating skin‑interfacing or minimally invasive devices, such as microneedles, microstructure arrays, or wearable patches, including skin mechanics and adhesion.
• Familiarity with ex vivo animal model testing, histology analysis, and in vitro electrical testing.
• Experience with wearable sensor development or clinical trial support.
• Experience with biocompatibility evaluation and relevant standards (e.g., ISO 10993).
• Experience with CAD and finite element analysis for mechanical design and simulation.
• Knowledge of quality management systems (e.g., ISO 13485) and risk management frameworks (e.g., ISO 14971).
• Experience managing external relationships, such as with vendors, contract manufacturers, and research partners, including manufacturing transfer or product scale‑up.
• Contributions to IP, publications, or collaborative research projects.
• Previous experience in a high‑performing start‑up or R&D environment.