Director, Engineering, Digital Engineering Services

Edwards Lifesciences; Irvine, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 159,000 - 226,000; Full time

Job summary

Edwards Lifesciences in Irvine, CA, is seeking a Director of Engineering to lead Digital Engineering Services, driving CAD, MBD, GD&T, and data standards across R&D, Manufacturing, and IT. You will build and mentor a global team, establish enterprise standards, champion digital transformation, and partner with cross-functional stakeholders to accelerate product development and manufacturing readiness.

This role requires a strong track record in strategic leadership, budget management, and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related field.
• Experience leading technical or engineering organizations.
• Experience driving enterprise-wide engineering or digital transformation initiatives.
• Expert knowledge of CAD, MBD, and GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the enterprise Digital Engineering strategy across R&D, manufacturing, and IT.
• Provide strategic leadership of global Digital Engineering Services and related capabilities.
• Lead and develop engineering leaders and experts, fostering innovation and accountability.
• Plan complex initiatives with objectives on scope, schedule, quality, and priorities.
• Establish and govern enterprise standards for CAD, MBD, GD&T, and digital product definition.
• Drive adoption of digital engineering tools to improve design quality and productivity.

Skills

Leadership experience

CAD tools

MBD

ASME Y14.41

ISO 16792

Enterprise-wide engineering

Regulatory awareness

Education

Bachelor's Degree in related field

Tools

PTC Windchill

PLM systems

Job description

Innovation starts from the heart. Our Advanced Innovation & Technology (AI&T) teams harness the imagination, courage, and resourcefulness to think beyond what’s currently possible, and create solutions for patients many years into the future. If you’re an early-stage innovator, then Edwards AI&T team is the place for you to take the next steps in your career. We’ll give you the tools and resources you need to create groundbreaking innovations that shape the future of structural heart technology. As part of our engineering leadership team, your work will contribute to technologies that advance treatment and improve outcomes for patients around the world.

How you’ll make an impact:

The Director, Engineering will provide strategic and functional leadership for Digital Engineering Services, driving enterprise-wide capabilities in CAD, Model-Based Definition (MBD), Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T), tolerance analysis, and digital engineering best practices. This leader will help establish the vision and direction for Digital Engineering Services, lead a high-performing team, and advance capabilities that enable product development excellence across Edwards' global R&D organization. Working closely with R&D, IT, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain partners, the Director will champion digital transformation initiatives that strengthen product development efficiency, design quality, and manufacturing readiness.

• Define and execute the enterprise Digital Engineering strategy, ensuring alignment with R&D, product development, manufacturing, and business objectives.

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of global Digital Engineering Services, including CAD design, Model-Based Definition (MBD), GD&T, tolerance analysis, and related digital engineering capabilities.

• Lead and develop a team of engineering leaders and technical experts, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Plan and direct complex engineering initiatives with significant business impact, ensuring successful achievement of project objectives related to scope, schedule, quality, and organizational priorities.

• Establish and govern enterprise standards, methodologies, and best practices for CAD, MBD, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and digital product definition.

• Serve as the enterprise technical authority for digital engineering, providing leadership on standards, methodologies, governance, and best practices that enable high-quality product development and drive consistency across the global R&D organization.

• Drive adoption of digital engineering technologies, processes, and tools that improve design quality, productivity, collaboration, and product lifecycle management.

• Partner cross-functionally with R&D, IT, Manufacturing, GSCQ, Regulatory Affairs, and other stakeholders to embed digital engineering capabilities across the product development lifecycle, from concept through manufacturing transfer.

• Develop and manage enterprise training, onboarding, and capability-building programs related to CAD, MBD, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and digital engineering methodologies.

• Lead organizational change management initiatives to support enterprise digital transformation and adoption of digital engineering best practices.

• Develop and track key performance indicators and organizational metrics that demonstrate the business value and impact of Digital Engineering Services.

• Identify organizational risks, develop mitigation strategies, resolve complex technical and operational issues, and guide decision-making across multiple programs and functions.

• Influence senior leadership on digital engineering investments, priorities, roadmaps, and organizational strategies.

• Manage departmental budgets, resource planning, and investment decisions to support strategic objectives and business growth.

• Promote consistency, scalability, and sharing of engineering best practices across business units and engineering functions.

What you'll need (Required):

• Bachelor's Degree in related field related experience in engineering and skill levels exceeding the requirements of the previous level

• Demonstrated experience leading technical or engineering organizations, including management of managers and technical subject matter experts.

• Experience leading enterprise-wide engineering, product development, or digital transformation initiatives.

• Expert knowledge of CAD tools and methodologies, including parametric modeling, surfacing, assembly design, and CAD data management.

• Expert knowledge of Model-Based Definition (MBD), semantic PMI, digital thread concepts, and applicable industry standards such as ASME Y14.41 and ISO 16792.

• Relocation is not provided for this role. Only candidates within a 50-mile radius of Irvine, California will be considered.

What else we look for (Preferred):

• Proven track record of developing and executing organizational strategies that drive business results.

• Proficiency in relevant engineering software, systems, and digital technologies.

• Strong knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, preferably PTC Windchill, including configuration management, change control, and product structure management.

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.

• Excellent interpersonal, relationship management, negotiation, and influencing skills.

• Experience working in a regulated medical device, healthcare, or similarly regulated industry.

• Experience supporting global engineering organizations and cross-functional product development teams.

• Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale organizational initiatives and influence executive stakeholders.

• Strong business and financial acumen, including budget management, resource planning, and investment prioritization.

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and strategic thinking skills.

• Demonstrated ability to build and develop high-performing teams, including succession planning and talent development.

• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence across functions, business units, and organizational levels.

• Experience developing governance frameworks that drive enterprise consistency and operational excellence.

• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Ability to excel in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while managing multiple priorities and competing business needs.

• Strict attention to detail and commitment to quality.

• Adhere to all company policies and requirements, including Environmental Health & Safety standards and applicable regulatory requirements.

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).