Principal Electrical Engineer

Cutera; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Cutera is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to join its R&D Electrical Engineering team in Raleigh, NC. You will lead the design of high‑power laser and RF electronics, develop schematics and PCB layouts, and drive complex cross‑functional design reviews to ensure total system integrity.

The role requires extensive experience in medical device electronics, with a focus on safety, EMC, and regulatory compliance, and a track record of taking concepts to production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering; Master’s degree preferred.
• 15+ years of relevant electrical engineering experience in medical devices or energy-based medical devices.
• Experience designing electronics for commercial products from concept through production.
• Strong background in systems-level electrical design, integration, debugging, and testing.
• Experience with IEC 60601-1, EMC standards, ISO 14971, and related medical device regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Drive technical direction for the R&D department.
• Articulate designs, risks, and roadmaps to executive management.
• Define system-level designs for next-generation medical devices and lead cross-functional design reviews.
• Maintain expert knowledge of industry technology trends to drive innovation.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote engineering best practices.
• Lead transfer of new products from development into production; collaborate with Manufacturing and Quality teams.

Skills

Electrical design

EMI/EMC knowledge

High-voltage electronics

PCB layout

Debugging

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Altium Designer

LTspice

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: RALEIGH - RALEIGH, NC 27615

Position Type: Full Time

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Principal Electrical Engineer to join our R&D Electrical Engineering team and contribute to the development of next-generation medical devices and applications. Projects span a broad range of technologies, including complex laser and optical delivery systems, ultrasound, and radio-frequency (RF) devices. This position will play a key role in developing sophisticated electronic systems that power these products and supporting their successful transition from concept through commercialization.

The engineer will serve as a technical resource for power supply, sensor interface, analog, and digital circuit design, working closely with cross-functional teams including Mechanical, Optical, Software, Clinical, Manufacturing, Quality, and Regulatory.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Operate with the highest level of independence to drive complex technical issues to resolution and establish the technical direction for the R&D department.
• Articulate complex designs, technical risks, and R&D roadmaps to executive management to ensure engineering efforts align with business commercialization goals.
• Drive "New Product Architecture" initiatives by defining system-level designs for next-generation medical devices and leading complex cross-functional design reviews to ensure total system integrity.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of industry technology trends to actively drive innovation within the R&D department and serve as a primary thought leader for the electrical engineering function.
• Proactively manage professional development and continued education to stay at the forefront of engineering best practices, emerging technologies, and advanced design and simulation tools.
• When required serve as the final technical authority on design verification and validation strategies, ensuring the company's engineering practices evolve to meet changing global regulatory standards.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior and staff-level engineers, fostering their professional development and ensuring the consistent application of engineering best practices across the R&D team.
• Lead strategic technical engagements with key PCB, component, and tooling suppliers to influence technology roadmaps, establish critical vendor partnerships, and drive holistic optimizations for performance, quality, and cost-efficiency across all R&D platforms.
• Define project scope, priorities, schedules, and technical deliverables in alignment with departmental and product development goals.
• Design sensor interfaces, display drivers, power supplies, and control electronics for high-power laser and RF applications.
• Develop schematics and PCB layouts using industry-standard design tools.
• Design, integrate, and test analog and digital control circuits.
• Lead the transfer of new products from development into production, working closely with Manufacturing and Quality teams.
• Provide technical input into design specifications, risk management, and product development activities.
• Ensure electrical safety, EMC, and regulatory compliance across product designs.
• Develop and execute test plans to support design verification and validation of electronic systems.
• Collaborate closely with systems, mechanical, UI/UX and software engineering to support system-level architecture and implementation.
• Troubleshoot complex electronic systems and perform root-cause analysis of new and existing designs.
• Support continuous improvement of existing products, processes, and engineering practices.
• Other duties as needed or required.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering; Master's degree preferred.
• 15+ years of relevant electrical engineering experience, preferably within medical devices or energy-based medical devices and controlled physical energy forms- such as lasers, radiofrequency, and ultrasound
• Proven experience designing and developing electronics for commercial products from concept through production.
• Strong background in systems-level electrical design, integration, debugging, and testing for complex products.
• Experience designing and controlling diode-pumped solid-state and flashlamp-pumped laser systems.
• Strong proficiency in analog and digital circuit design.
• Extensive experience with board-level debugging, testing, documentation, and design troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of EMI/EMC principles, radiated emissions, and mitigation techniques.
• Proficiency with engineering simulation, data analysis, and automation tools such as LTspice, MATLAB, and LabVIEW.
• Expertise with schematic capture and PCB layout tools; Altium Designer preferred.
• Experience working with high-voltage electronics and power electronics.
• Familiarity with PID controllers, electromechanical systems, electro-optics, sensors, and instrumentation.
• Experience with IEC 60601-1, EMC standards, ISO 14971, and related medical device regulatory requirements.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with Electrical, Mechanical, Optical, Software, Clinical, Manufacturing, Quality, and Regulatory teams.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently drive complex technical issues to resolution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical concepts and make sound engineering recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience developing high-power laser, RF, ultrasound, or other energy-based medical devices.
• Experience with electrical safety and EMC testing and certification processes.