Principal AI/ML Engineer

Abbott Laboratories; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 149,000 - 297,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott Laboratories in Santa Clara seeks a Principal AI/ML Engineer to develop advanced ML solutions for OCT-based intravascular imaging systems. Translate cutting-edge AI into scalable, regulated software for medical devices through close collaboration with clinical, imaging, software, and systems teams.

This role requires ownership of the end-to-end ML lifecycle, including robust segmentation/classification, real-time inference optimization, and preparation for regulatory submissions.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field with a focus on AI/ML.
• 8+ years of industry experience developing ML, DL, or CV solutions, or 4+ years with a PhD.
• Strong expertise in deep learning architectures for image analysis and CV, incl. CNNs and Vision Transformers.
• Proven experience in semantic segmentation, object detection, classification and image analysis.
• Strong Python programming and ML framework experience (PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Experience translating research into prototype and production-quality software.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy ML/DL models for OCT-based intravascular imaging.
• Lead semantic segmentation algorithm development for vascular imaging.
• Own the ML lifecycle from data prep to deployment and monitoring.
• Collaborate with clinical and V&V teams on outputs, metrics, and validation.
• Optimize models for real-time or near real-time inference in product environments.
• Contribute to software architecture, reviews, and design controls.
• Prepare documentation for design controls, V&V, risk management, and regulatory submissions.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Computer Vision

Communication

Education

Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field

Tools

ONNX

TensorRT

TorchScript

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Overview: Abbott Vascular is seeking a Principal AI/ML Engineer to develop advanced machine learning solutions for optical coherence tomography (OCT)–based intravascular imaging systems. This role will focus on developing robust, clinically relevant algorithms to automatically identify and characterize key anatomical and interventional features. The successful candidate will translate cutting‑edge AI research into scalable, high‑performance solutions integrated into regulated medical device products. The role requires close collaboration with clinical, imaging, software, and systems engineering teams throughout the product development lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy machine learning and deep learning models for clinical applications, including image segmentation, feature detection, classification, and quantitative analysis of OCT images.
• Lead the development of advanced semantic segmentation algorithms for OCT-based vascular imaging applications.
• Own the end-to-end ML lifecycle, including data preparation, annotation strategies, model development, training, validation, performance optimization, and deployment.
• Collaborate with clinical and V&V teams to define clinically meaningful outputs, evaluation metrics, and validation methodologies.
• Develop algorithms capable of robust performance across diverse patient populations, imaging conditions, and clinical use cases.
• Optimize models for real‑time or near‑real‑time inference in embedded or product environments.
• Evaluate and integrate state-of-the‑art machine learning approaches, including foundation models, self‑supervised learning, and generative AI techniques where appropriate.
• Contribute to software architecture, code reviews, and engineering best practices to ensure scalable and maintainable AI solutions.
• Generate technical documentation supporting design controls, verification, validation, risk management, and regulatory submissions.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field with a focus on AI/ML.
• 8+ years of industry experience developing machine learning, deep learning, or computer vision solutions, or 4+ years of relevant industry experience with a PhD.
• Strong expertise in deep learning architectures and modern machine learning approaches for image analysis, including convolutional neural networks and vision transformers.
• Proven experience developing semantic segmentation, object detection, classification, and image analysis algorithms.
• Strong programming skills in Python and experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or equivalent.
• Experience designing experiments, evaluating model performance, and applying statistical methods for model validation.
• Demonstrated ability to translate research concepts into prototype and production-quality software solutions.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with OCT, IVUS, CT, MRI or other medical imaging modalities, including multi-modal image registration techniques.
• Understanding of OCT imaging principles, image formation physics, and common imaging artifacts.
• Experience developing AI/ML solutions for 3D volumetric, temporal, longitudinal or sequential imaging datasets.
• Experience with foundation models, generative AI, self‑supervised learning, multimodal learning, or other advanced AI approaches applied to medical imaging.
• Expertise in model deployment and optimization for real‑time or near‑real‑time inference using technologies such as ONNX, TensorRT, TorchScript, or equivalent frameworks.
• Experience establishing scalable MLOps workflows, including data and model versioning, experiment tracking, continuous integration/deployment, and production ML pipelines.
• Familiarity with medical device software development processes in regulated environments, including FDA regulations, design controls, V&V, and AI/ML‑related FDA guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to translate research‑grade algorithms into robust, production‑ready solutions for clinical or commercial applications.

The base pay for this position is $148,700.00 – $297,300.00 In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY: Research and Discovery
DIVISION: AVD Vascular
LOCATION: United States > Santa Clara : Building A - SC
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:
WORK SHIFT: Standard
TRAVEL: Yes, 10 % of the Time
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Not Applicable
SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Keyboard use (greater or equal to 50% of the workday)

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

Abbott is about the power of health. For more than 135 years, Abbott has been helping people reach their potential — because better health allows people and communities to achieve more. With a diverse, global network serving customers in more than 160 countries, we create new solutions — across the spectrum of health, around the world, for all stages of life. Whether it’s next‑generation diagnostics, life‑changing devices, science‑based nutrition, or novel reformulations, we are advancing some of the most innovative and revolutionary technologies in healthcare, helping people live their best lives through better health. The people of Abbott come to work each day with relentless energy, enthusiasm and a promise to enhance the health and well‑being of millions of people. They push the boundaries to help manage and treat some of life’s greatest health challenges. We invite you to explore opportunities at Abbott, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings. An equal opportunity employer, Abbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce.

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