Principal Engineer - Product Testing

USA-Medtronic MiniMed, Inc 1017; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

MiniMed in Northridge, CA seeks a highly specialized expert to own and lead all aspects of pressure decay leak test systems and related test designs across manufacturing lines. You will ensure testing processes deliver reliable, compliant results from design through production.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years of relevant experience (or an advanced degree with 5+ years) and hands-on experience with leak test methods, medical device manufacturing, and statistical process

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years of relevant experience or an advanced degree with 5+ years.
• Experience with alternative leak test methodologies (mass flow, helium, vacuum decay).
• Experience with medical device manufacturing, process validation, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with root cause analysis, statistical methods and manufacturing optimization.

Responsibilities

• Designs manufacturing processes, procedures and layouts for assemblies and equipment.
• Leads test equipment validation and qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) per FDA/ISO.
• Defines test specifications and acceptance criteria with R&D, Quality, and Regulatory teams.
• Troubleshoots test failures, conducts root-cause analysis and implements corrective actions.
• Drives continuous improvement to optimize test yield, cycle time and OEE.
• Travel 25-40% as project needs require.

Skills

Pressure decay

Leak test equipment

Root cause analysis

Statistical methods

Manufacturing processes

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

Advanced degree

Tools

Uson

Zaxis

Inficon

Job description

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 20 Nov 2026 At MiniMed, you can begin a lifelong career of exploration and innovation, while helping make a difference in the lives of people living with diabetes around the globe.

You’ll lead with purpose, breaking down barriers to innovation for a more connected, compassionate world.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly specialized subject matter expert to own and lead all aspects of pressure decay leak test systems and transmission test design, implementation, validation, and optimization across our manufacturing lines.

In this pivotal role, you will serve as the technical authority ensuring our testing processes deliver consistent, reliable, and compliant results at every stage of production.

In this role, you will serve as the primary subject matter expert for pressure decay leak test system and electrical/mechanical test systems’ design, implementation, validation, and optimization across manufacturing lines.

Ready to make an impact?

Responsibilities

Full-time on-site role in Northridge, CA with willingness and ability to travel for business 25-40% of the time depending on project needs

• Designs manufacturing processes, procedures and production layouts for assemblies, equipment installation, processing, and material handling.
• Designs arrangement of machines within plant facilities to ensure most efficient and productive layout.
• Designs sequence of operations and specifies procedures for the fabrication of tools and equipment that affect product performance.
• Adapts machine or equipment design to factory and production conditions.
• Develops manufacturing processes that are applicable to statistical process control and may develop those techniques.
• Provides guidance to engineering regarding design concepts and specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques.
• Leads the process development, qualification and validation of test equipment (IQ/OQ/PQ) in compliance with FDA and ISO regulations.
• Defines test specifications, acceptance criteria, and test parameters in collaboration with R&D, Quality, and Regulatory teams.
• Troubleshoots and resolves complex test failures, driving root cause analysis and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
• Evaluates and recommends new test technologies and methodologies to enhance test capability and manufacturing efficiency.
• Develops and executes test method validation studies, including repeatability, reproducibility, and measurement system analysis (Gauge R&R/TMV).
• Incorporates inspection and test requirements into the production plan.
• Inspects performance of machinery, equipment, and tools to verify their efficiency, and investigates and initiates corrective action of problems and deficiencies to ensure product quality.
• Drives continuous improvement initiatives to optimize test yield, cycle time, and false rejection rates.
• Analyzes manufacturing performance metrics like LBM, yield, capacity and develop action plans to improve throughput, efficiency, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

Must Have: Minimum Requirements

To be considered for this role, please ensure the minimum requirements are evident on your resume.

Bachelor’s degree with minimum of 7+ years of relevant experience, or Advanced degree with a minimum of 5+ years of relevant experience.

Experience with alternative leak test methodologies (e.g., mass flow, helium, vacuum decay)

Experience with industry-leading leak test equipment (e.g., Uson, Zaxis, Inficon, or equivalent)

Experience with medical device manufacturing, process validation, quality systems, and regulatory requirements

Experience with root cause analysis, statistical methods, and manufacturing process optimization.

Nice To Have

Demonstrated experience for owning technical strategy, operational performance, and optimization of production process for long term sustainability

Familiarity with MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) integration with test equipment

Experience with fluid dynamics, pneumatics, and hermetic sealing principles

Experience supporting Contract Manufacturers in a medical device environment

Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification

Experience with pump or infusion device manufacturing

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.

The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.

Benefits & Compensation

MiniMed offers a competitive salary and flexible benefits package

At MiniMed, we put people first. A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values: We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help create.

We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every stage of your career and life.

Salary ranges for U.S (excl. PR) locations (USD):$109,000.00 - $185,000.00 For roles located in California, Seattle WA, Washington DC, Boston MA, and New York City, the salary range is $121,000 - $205,000 USD.

Actual compensation may vary based on factors including experience, education, certifications, skills, market conditions, internal equity, and geographic location.

Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others).

At MiniMed, we are committed to supporting the well-being and financial security of our employees.

Regular employees working 20 or more hours per week are eligible for a robust benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as access to a Health Savings Account, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, life insurance, long-term disability leave, and a dependent daycare spending account.

In addition, all regular employees enjoy incentive plans, a 401(k) plan with company match, short-term disability coverage, paid time off and holidays, participation in our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and access to our Employee Assistance Program.

Eligible employees may also benefit from our Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement and Capital Accumulation Plan, subject to IRS minimum earnings requirements.

Please note that “regular employees” refers to those who are not temporary staff, such as interns, and some benefits may not apply to employees in Puerto Rico.

For further details about our comprehensive benefits, we encourage you to visit the link below.

MiniMed Benefits Overview

MiniMed is a full-stack insulin delivery company dedicated to supporting people living with diabetes through every step of their journey - when and how they need it. For more than 40 years, we’ve been committed to redefining what’s possible: intelligent dosing systems designed for real life, predictive insights that stay a step ahead, and always on support when it’s needed most. At the heart of everything we do is a simple Mission: to make every day a better day for people with diabetes. Learn more about our business, and our mission here.

It is the policy of MiniMed 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, familial status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

In addition, MiniMed will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

If you are applying to perform work for MiniMed in any position which will involve performing at least two (2) hours of work on average each week within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, you can find here a list of all material job duties of the specific job position which MiniMed reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment.

MiniMed will consider for employment qualified job applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

MiniMed is a full-stack insulin delivery company dedicated to supporting people living with diabetes through every step of their journey - when and how they need it. With a heritage rooted in technology, empathy, and a relentless pursuit of innovation, we’re focused on one thing: making every day a better day for people with diabetes.

From our intelligent dosing systems that stay one step ahead to our always on support when it’s needed most, we’re committed to building a connected system of care that works together and fits into everyday life, so people with diabetes can move through the day with fewer interruptions. Fewer second guesses. And more freedom to live in the moment. We’re here to make better days possible for people with diabetes. Joyful, messy, fully lived days. Days where things feel lighter, easier.

For more than four decades, we’ve been driven by this mission, delivering groundbreaking advancements in technology to help people live more fully, freely, and with greater confidence.

At MiniMed, diabetes care is personal for us. Many of our employees have a connection to diabetes, whether they’re living with it themselves or through family members and friends, and we all show up each day to help make the lives of our coworkers and loved ones easier. Our people-first priority.

At MiniMed, we put our customers at the forefront of all we do, and that focus extends to our team as well. We’re dedicated to creating a culture of belonging and providing our people with all the career-building resources you might need.

No matter what your role at our company, you’re making a difference in the lives of people with diabetes. Our innovative inventions improve their day-to-day by helping lift the mental load and allowing diabetes to fade into the background, empowering them to live life on their own terms.

Our focus on the future. We’re chasing the dream of a world where people with diabetes can be free of that never-ending battle of balancing blood sugar. A world where better days are the norm, not the exception. Fresh faces and new viewpoints will help create our cutting-edge solutions and define the next generation of breakthroughs in care, so that a better day can start today.

It is the policy of MiniMed 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, MiniMed will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

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

For further information about the E-Verify program,

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