Principal R&D Engineer

HERO Recruitment; Burlington; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading medical device company in the Halton Region is seeking an experienced Principal R&D Engineer to lead the development of catheter-based and other advanced mechanical systems. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical or Mechanical Engineering and at least 7 years of experience in medical device development, with a focus on managing risks and driving technical innovation. This role offers an opportunity to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in medical device development, or 5+ years with a PhD.
• Strong track record in mechanical system design.
• Solid understanding of design for six sigma and ISO standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of catheter-based and mechanical systems.
• Drive technical strategy and innovation across programs.
• Manage technical risks throughout the product development lifecycle.

Skills

Mechanical system design

Collaboration and communication skills

Risk management

Technical leadership

Innovative design solutions

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical or Mechanical Engineering

Advanced degree (MSc or PhD)

Tools

CAD software

Test method development

Job description

Principal R&D Engineer

We are seeking an experienced Principal R&D Engineer to join our Structural Heart & Aortic operating unit. This is an exciting opportunity for a proven technical leader with deep expertise in Biomedical or Mechanical Engineering and a strong background in the medical device industry.

In this role, you will leverage a deep understanding of mechanical engineering principles to lead the development of catheter-based and other advanced mechanical systems. From concept through commercialization, you will drive innovation, mitigate technical risk, and help shape the technical direction of high-impact projects.

This is a highly collaborative role, requiring the ability to engage cross-functional teams, influence technical strategy, and guide execution in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and problem-solving of catheter-based and mechanical systems for structural heart applications.
• Apply core mechanical engineering principles to address complex design challenges and guide key decisions.
• Translate physician insights into actionable product requirements and innovative design solutions.
• Drive technical strategy and innovation across programs and teams.
• Identify and manage technical risks throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Own technical execution from early research through to commercial launch.
• Integrate knowledge of anatomy, physiology, material science, and mechanical behavior to develop high-performance solutions.
• Design and conduct studies to answer critical engineering and biological questions.
• Collaborate across functions and with global partners to accelerate development and resolve technical challenges.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, technical excellence, and shared learning.
• Resolve design challenges in existing products through rigorous problem-solving.
• Contribute to the generation and protection of intellectual property.
• Mentor and support the development of junior engineers.
• Participate in technical forums and build strong internal and external networks.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (Level 8) in Biomedical or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent); advanced degree (MSc or PhD) preferred.
• Minimum of 7+ years of relevant experience (or 5+ years with a PhD) in medical device development.
• Strong track record in mechanical system design, including catheter-based technologies (preferred).
• Proven ability to manage and mitigate technical risk through deep mechanical understanding.
• Experience in full product development lifecycle: from concept design and CAD to materials selection, test method development, and sterilization.
• Solid understanding of design for six sigma, ISO standards, and medical device design controls.
• Passionate about engineering, with curiosity and a drive to understand how and why things work.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills; ability to influence across multidisciplinary teams.
• Recognized technical leader with a history of driving complex development programs to success.