Principal R&D Engineer (AME) - Surgical

Medtronic plc; Galway; On-site; EUR 81,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Medtronic plc in Galway, Ireland is seeking a Principal R&D Engineer - Advanced Manufacturing Engineering to define and deliver the manufacturing-system architecture for an industrialization program involving complex precision electromechanical products.

This role will own the manufacturing-cell vision and establish the engineering lab and integrated pilot line used to develop and mature the production solution.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in mechanical, manufacturing, mechatronics, automation engineering.
• Experience with automated manufacturing equipment or production cells.
• Strong understanding of equipment architecture, automation, fixturing, controls, sensors and safety.
• Experience leading vendors or system integrators through full lifecycle.
• Ability to translate requirements into manufacturing-system solutions.
• Strong systems thinking and cross-disciplinary problem-solving.
• Experience with qualification, scale-up, and replication of manufacturing capability.
• Desirable: mechatronics, vision, robotics, PLCs; med-device experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver manufacturing-system architecture for industrialization program.
• Own engineering lab and integrated pilot line.
• Translate product/process needs into scalable manufacturing concepts and specs.
• Lead equipment and automation design, integration, commissioning, qualification, production release.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, operations and vendors.
• Manage risk, design reviews, troubleshooting across manufacturing-cell interfaces.

Skills

Automation expertise

Systems thinking

Technical leadership

Equipment qualification

Robotics/Mechatronics

Problem solving

Vendor management

Quality & safety

Education

Mechanical/Manufacturing degree (Bachelors/Master)

Job description

Careers that change lives start here. 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. Your unique talents will help shape the future of healthcare while building a career grounded in purpose, growth, and impact.

A Day in the Life

Making the best possible surgery accessible to every patient. We believe the future of surgery is less invasive and more precise, predictable, and personalised. We bring together sharp surgical expertise, extensive medical knowledge, and cutting‑edge technology with a single-minded focus on each patient - wherever they are, and however they need to be treated. Each surgical specialty faces unique challenges, yet the goal is universal: better care for patients. By understanding these differences, we deliver solutions that empower surgeons and keep patients at the heart of every decision.

We are seeking a Principal R&D Engineer - Advanced Manufacturing Engineering to define and deliver the manufacturing-system architecture for a strategic industrialization program involving complex precision electromechanical products. This role will own the manufacturing-cell vision and establish the engineering lab and integrated pilot line used to develop and mature the production solution. The successful candidate will translate product and process needs into scalable solutions integrating equipment, automation, tooling, material flow, inspection and manufacturing test, then lead their transfer, qualification and replication within Manufacturing. The role will be based at the Mervue Campus in Galway, Ireland.

Own the manufacturing-cell vision and technical architecture across multiple related product lines, including creation and lifecycle ownership of the engineering lab and integrated pilot line. Translate product, process and capacity requirements into manufacturing concepts, equipment specifications, system architectures and measurable acceptance criteria. Lead equipment and automation solutions from concept selection through supplier design, build, lab and pilot-line integration, commissioning, qualification and production release. Integrate Process Engineering, Test Systems, Product Design, Quality, Operations, Manufacturing, equipment vendors and system integrators into a coherent production solution. Engineer manufacturing solutions to meet quality, safety, cycletime, capacity, availability, maintainability, traceability and scalability requirements. Lead technical risk management, design reviews, integration troubleshooting and issue resolution across equipment and manufacturing-cell interfaces. Lead transfer and replication into Manufacturing, including acceptance criteria, spares, documentation, training and lifecycle-support strategies that enable sustainable production and future capacity expansion.

Key Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Mechatronics, Automation or a related engineering discipline with 7 years of relevant experience, OR a Masters/ Advanced degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Mechatronics, Automation or a related engineering discipline with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience.
• Significant experience developing automated or semi-automated manufacturing equipment, assembly cells or integrated production systems.
• Strong understanding of equipment architecture, automation, fixturing, controls, sensors, machine safety and system integration.
• Demonstrated experience leading equipment vendors or system integrators through specification, design, build, acceptance, qualification and production deployment.
• Ability to translate product, process, capacity and quality requirements into robust manufacturing-system solutions and acceptance criteria.
• Strong systems thinking, technical leadership and structured problem-solving across multidisciplinary engineering interfaces.
• Experience with equipment qualification, production readiness, scale-up and replication of manufacturing capability.
• Experience with complex mechatronic products, precision assembly, machine vision, robotics, servo systems, PLCs or digital manufacturing is desirable; medical-device experience is advantageous.

Physical Job Requirements

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position.

Employment Eligibility

This employer participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.

Benefits & Compensation

Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create. We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage. Pay range / Rango salarial / Intervalo salarial /Fascia retributiva / Tranche de salaire / Gehaltsband / Salaribereik: Ireland: 81,120.00 EUR - 121,680.00 EUR | The final salary within this range will be determined based on objective, job-related criteria, including relevant experience, skills and qualifications, in accordance with our compensation framework. This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP).

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. For sales reps and other patient facing field employees, going into a healthcare setting is considered an essential function of the job and we expect our employees to comply with all credentialing requirements at the hospitals or clinics they support.

We are global leaders in manufacturing technology and are building extraordinary solutions as one team. With one Medtronic Mindset defining how we work. Speed and decisiveness run through our DNA. Diverse perspectives inspire our bold answers to any challenge that comes our way. And we deliver results the right way, breakthrough after patient breakthrough.

You will build a better future, amplifying your impact on the causes that matter to you and the world. Grow a career reflective of your passion and abilities. Connect to a dynamic and inclusive culture that welcomes the challenge of life-long learning.