Principal Engineer, Supplier Development

Edwards Lifesciences Gruppe; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

Edwards Lifesciences is seeking a Principal Engineer for Surgical Therapies in Irvine, CA. You will lead end-to-end supplier validation and drive design decisions to satisfy user needs, manufacturability, and cost targets for implantable catheter delivery systems.

You will partner with R&D, Program Management, Manufacturing, and suppliers to ensure compliant execution across development stages, supporting rapid product development in a regulated medical device environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or scientific field required.
• 6+ years of experience in new product development, process development, commercialization, and/or operations engineering in a regulated environment.
• Experience in medical device NPD and design optimization preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end technical validation of suppliers during product development, from component design to process validation.
• Collaborate with R&D, Program Management, Manufacturing, and suppliers to ensure compliant project execution.
• Contribute to design iterations for next-generation delivery systems and components.
• Lead cross-functional teams and external suppliers in design, development, and testing of complex delivery systems.
• Manage feasibility studies, design verification testing, and supplier validation activities for commercial release.
• Support other duties as assigned.

Skills

GD&T

DFM

Six Sigma

Interventional devices

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or scientific field

Master’s degree in engineering and/or MBA

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. Dedicated to innovation, our Surgical business unit is focused on identifying and solving critical, unmet needs in cardiac surgery. In understanding the challenges of open-heart surgery, we partner with surgical teams to deliver modern technologies intended to enhance patients’ quality of life and expand their potential treatment opportunities. It’s our driving force to help patients live longer and healthier lives. Join us and be part of our inspiring journey.

The Principal Engineer will serve as a key technical subject matter expert for our Surgical Therapies., partnering closely with internal teams and external suppliers to ensure product designs meet user needs—including ease of use, manufacturability, cost effectiveness, and operational efficiency. In addition to deep technical leadership, this role requires strong project management capabilities and a thorough understanding of Design Control and Catalyst processes to drive effective, compliant, and timely project execution.

How you’ll make an impact:

• Supplier Validation and Product Development Process: Lead the end-to-end technical validation of suppliers during product development, from component design and GD&T reviews to process characterization, capability analysis, and strategic process validation, ensuring robust DFM/DFA integration and quality compliance across all development stages.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with R&D, Program Management, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, and key suppliers to ensure seamless project execution and compliance with internal procedures, QSR, FDA regulations, and ISO standards.
• Support and contribute to product development efforts by influencing the design and iteration of next‑generation delivery systems and components.
• Lead cross‑functional teams and external suppliers in the design, development, and testing of complex interventional catheter delivery systems for implantable devices.
• Oversee and drive timelines for feasibility studies, design verification testing, clinical evaluations, and supplier validation activities required for commercial release.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

What we look for:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or scientific, with 6 years of experience in new product development, process development, commercialization, and/or operations engineering in a highly regulated environment.
• Travel up to 25% domestically and internationally.
• On‑site work required.

What else we look for:

• Master’s degree in engineering and/or MBA.
• Experience in medical device new product development, including successful design optimization and progression from early development through commercialization.
• Background in at least two of the following areas: interventional access devices, rapid product development, component‑level manufacturing, or complex assembly design.
• Hands‑on experience with catheter manufacturing processes, such as extrusions, braiding, molding, laser welding, and bonding techniques.
• Demonstrated capability to apply sound engineering judgment and technical expertise to solve complex problems; working knowledge of DFM, GD&T, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Technical skills in biomedical design and delivery system catheter design.
• Proven ability to manage and collaborate with external vendors to meet quality, timeline, and technical requirements.
• Strong experience in rapid product development within cross‑functional teams, including creative design iteration, prototyping, and test method development (e.g., in‑vitro testing).

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, the base pay range for this position is $121,000 - $171,000 (highly experienced). The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.

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.