Director, Engineering, Automation

Edwards Lifesciences Gruppe; United States; On-site; USD 159,000 - 226,000; Full time

Job summary

Edwards Lifesciences is seeking a Director of Automation in California to lead the design, prototyping, and implementation of advanced manufacturing automation for New Product Development and global operations. You will partner with Implant and Delivery Systems teams and align with EPS principles to drive efficiency and scale.

You will manage cross-functional automation programs, build business cases, mentor engineers, and travel up to 25% to support global sites. On-site leadership is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a scientific discipline; experience developing, implementing, and improving manufacturing equipment and processes.
• On-site presence required to lead teams and collaborate cross-functionally.
• Travel up to 25% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation Relationships with R&D, NPD and global teams to ensure seamless development and integration of automated processes.
• Initiate and lead design, prototyping, assembly, development, and troubleshooting of autonomous systems.
• Develop automation strategies and roadmaps with leadership teams.
• Create business cases, development plans and risk registers with mitigation strategies.
• Mentor SMEs and ensure knowledge transfer across global sites.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Six Sigma

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a scientific discipline

Job description

Imagine how your ideas and expertise can change a patient’s life. Our Global Operations & Quality team plays a central part in ensuring our products are delivered to patients with cardiovascular disease. You’ll partner cross-functionally with manufacturing operations and sales teams, delivering thoughtful solutions to complex challenges all while developing your knowledge of the medical device industry. Whether your work includes strategic inventory planning, labeling, warehouse management, material handling, or any of our other supply chain opportunities, you will be making a meaningful contribution to our team and to patients all over the world. The Director will lead the automation of medical device manufacturing technologies for New Product Development to ensure efficiency, scalability and synchrony with global manufacturing standards. The Director will collaborate closely with Implant and Delivery Systems Network leadership teams to establish business cases and roadmaps. The Director will partner closely with sister-automation teams in Singapore and Ireland to assure seamless global integration.

How you’ll make an impact:

• Manage key R&D, New Product Development and global automation relationships to ensure seamless development and integration of automated processes for Edwards' global business.
• Initiate and lead the design, prototyping, assembly, development, and troubleshooting of autonomous and semi-autonomous systems to support business growth
• Lead in identifying opportunities for Design for Automation and Manufacturability.
• Develop automation strategies and roadmaps with Implant and Delivery Systems leadership teams.
• Create business cases, development plans, and risk registers with mitigation strategies.
• Oversee, inspire, and develop SMEs, and retain a technical talent to ensure automation knowledge continuity and knowledge transfer capabilities from Singapore site to our global sites.
• Develop a robust talent development plan in alignment with functional growth strategies of the department
• Manage resource planning, project planning, budgeting, expense priorities, performance management, and working through team managers to achieve results.
• Identify opportunities for and drive the development and management of multiple, highly complex automated systems that resolve manufacturing and/or product inspection challenges.
• Provide insight to stakeholders on current automation capabilities to ensure they are reusable in broader initiatives while developing new capabilities.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring collaboration, professionalism and cooperation against scope, timelines and budget for strategic automation program activities.
• Embrace Agile Methodology and working efficiently with ambiguity.
• Responsible for the tactical execution of value stream mindset and culture of continuous improvement based on Edwards Production System (EPS).

What you’ll need (Required):

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a scientific discipline, with experience developing, implementing, and improving manufacturing equipment and processes, including automated technologies where applicable.
• On‑site presence required to effectively lead teams and collaborate cross‑functionally.
• Travel up to 25% domestically and internationally.

What else we look for (Preferred):

• Advanced degree.
• Hands on implementation and support of automation systems within a highly regulated cleanroom manufacturing environment.
• Engineering leadership background and proven successes in designing and implementing automation and process portfolios in a regulated industry manufacturing environment.
• Proven success in influencing management strategic decisions to invest in both new and proven technology platforms.
• Extensive experience in utilizing Six Sigma tools to develop new processes and improve existing processes, leading to manufacturing value creation.
• Extensive experience in strategic planning and project management.
• Knowledge of financial budgeting and acumen to evaluate the ROI of various new technologies and make financial and technical portfolio-based recommendations to the business.
• Proven track record of successfully leading, developing, and mentoring highly educated, skilled engineering teams in a global environment.

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 $159,000 to $226,000 (highly experienced).

The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience).

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

Edwards Lifesciences is the leading global structural heart innovation company, driven by a passion to improve patient lives.

Through breakthrough technologies, world‑class evidence and partnerships with clinicians and healthcare stakeholders, our employees are inspired by our patient-focused culture to deliver life-changing innovations to those who need them most.