Principal Equipment Development Engineer - MedTech Surgery

Johnson & Johnson MedTech; Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 201,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation 120h/yr

Sick leave per state

Holiday pay

Parental leave

Volunteer leave

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson MedTech in Cincinnati seeks a Principal Equipment Development Engineer to lead automated assembly development for handheld medical devices. The role blends hands-on engineering with project leadership, requiring collaboration with integration partners and manufacturing sites.

The position emphasizes DFA-driven design, FAT/qualification, and scalable production solutions, with travel up to 25%. A relocation option is available for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent required.
• 12+ years of proven experience in a dynamic R&D environment with emphasis on production line development, commissioning and qualification.
• Ability to travel up to 25% (domestic and international).
• Experience in a medical device production environment or other regulated industry.

Responsibilities

• Be accountable for the technical development, debug, characterization and commissioning of automated assembly processes ensuring successful FAT and production qualification.
• Provide automation technical leadership to a team of equipment development engineers.
• Collaborate with equipment integrators and manufacturing plants to bring full-scale automated production solutions from concept to stable production.
• Ensure automated assembly processes meet project scope, schedule and budget requirements.
• Deliver an automated assembly line that meets throughput, uptime, scrap, and staffing targets.
• Develop and implement controls strategies for the automated assembly lines.
• Coach team members to drive stronger business results.

Skills

Automation

DfA principles

Team leadership

FAT/QA

Travel 25%

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

SAP Product Lifecycle Management

Job description

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognise their merit.

Job Function

R&D Product Development

Job Sub Function

R&D Mechanical Engineering

Job Category

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America

Job Description

About Surgery

Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we’re developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments. Are you passionate about improving and expanding the possibilities of surgery? Ready to join a team that’s reimagining how we heal? Our Surgery team will give you the chance to deliver surgical technologies and solutions to surgeons and healthcare professionals around the world. Your contributions will help effectively treat some of the world’s most prevalent conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Patients are waiting.

Your unique talents will help patients on their journey to wellness. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/medtech

We are searching for the best talent for Principal Equipment Development Engineer in Cincinnati, Ohio to support our handheld medical device business. This hybrid role requires the candidate to be on‑site three days per week. This position may require up to 25% domestic and international travel. We are open to a candidate willing to relocate.

Our business offers a broad range of products and technologies, including surgical staplers, clip appliers, trocars and sealing devices that are used in a wide variety of minimally invasive and open surgical procedures.

Our team of engineers, designers, and technical specialists are at the forefront of technology in the medical device industry. As a key member of our group, you will be leading efforts to deliver innovative automated assembly equipment lines to support our New Product Development (NPD) pipeline. You will work with leadership, NPD teams, equipment integrators and manufacturing partners to make this a reality. This role provides an opportunity to bring exciting new assembly technology to life while also providing significant leadership and professional growth opportunities.

You Will Be Responsible For

• Be accountable for the technical development, debug, characterization and commissioning of automated assembly processes ensuring successful FAT and production qualification.
• Provide automation technical leadership to a team of equipment development engineers.
• Collaborate with equipment integrators and our manufacturing plants to bring full‑scale automated production solutions from concept to stable production.
• Ensure automated assembly processes meet project scope, schedule and budget requirements.
• Deliver an automated assembly line that meets key throughput, uptime, scrap, and staffing requirements.
• Effectively negotiate technical tradeoffs with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Develop and implement controls strategies for the automated assembly lines.
• Encourage technical mastery, collaboration, cross‑training, critical thinking and problem solving. Coach individuals as required to drive stronger business results.
• Champion DFA concepts in product design.
• Complete projects in compliance with EES policies and procedures and related regulatory requirements (GMP, ISO, MDD).

Qualifications / Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent experience required
• 12+ years of proven experience in a dynamic R&D environment with emphasis on production line development, commissioning and qualification required
• Ability to travel up to 25% domestic and international travel required
• Experience in a medical device production environment or other regulated industry
• Extensive experience applying Design for Assembly (DfA) principles to improve product design and assembly process performance required
• Experience developing semi‑automated and/or automated assembly processes for devices containing over 20 small, complex plastic, metal and electrical components required
• Knowledgeable in the development of automated mechanical (force and torque) and electrical test (continuity and hi‑pot) equipment
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead equipment debug, characterization, FAT, and qualification activities required
• Ability to set strategy and drive assembly requirements to resolution with internal stakeholders and third‑party equipment integrators required
• Must have proven track record of achieving objectives in a team‑based environment
• Excellent communication, networking, teamwork, problem solving and influencing skills. Must be proficient at breaking down complex issues to drive to solutions
• Process Excellence Six Sigma knowledge preferred
• Vision systems and controls development experience preferred

For more information on how we support the whole health of our employees throughout their wellness, career and life journey, please visit www.careers.jnj.com.

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants’ needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

Preferred Skills

Coaching, Contract Management, Critical Thinking, Design Thinking, Fact‑Based Decision Making, Feasibility Studies, Incident Management, Mechanical Engineering, Organising, Process Oriented, Product Development, Project Management Methodology (PMM), Project Support, Research and Development, SAP Product Lifecycle Management, Technical Credibility, Technical Writing, Vendor Management

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$117,000.00 - $201,250.00

Additional Description For Pay Transparency

Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).

This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long‑term incentive program.

Benefits

• Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
• Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
• Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
• Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
• Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
• Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
• Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52‑week rolling period10 days
• Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
• Military Spouse Time‑Off – 80 hours per calendar year

For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: - https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits