Principal Mechanical Engineer

Abbott; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 261,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott in Alameda, CA is seeking a seasoned mechanical design engineer to lead new medical device development and design transfer. You will address complex technical challenges, mentor peers, and drive cross-functional programs with Operations, Quality, and Regulatory teams.

The role emphasizes design for manufacturability, regulatory compliance (FDA ISO 13485), and robust design documentation, with significant impact on product timelines and patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum 10 years related engineering experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of mechanical engineering and medical device regulations.
• Familiar with ISO 13485 and FDA guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Specify, design, verify and validate new mechanical designs per medical standards.
• Lead technical investigations of manufacturing issues.
• Develop project plans, schedules, and design control documentation.
• Manage resources, budgets, and cross-functional teams.
• Mentor mechanical engineering team and review ECs.
• Ensure compliance with quality systems and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Communication skills

Verbal/written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

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 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

The Opportunity

This position will be on-site at our Alameda, California location. Recognized expert with broad expertise in mechanical design engineering, new product development and design transfer with responsibility for resolving significant technical issues as well as providing direction for new technology and product development activities with a broad impact to the company goals. Works on the design and development of significant new products. Key decision-maker in identifying areas of technology for potential implementation into our products and processes. Leads the technical supervision and project management of complex engineering projects and activities. Develops networks involving cross-functional and cross-departmental groups (Operations, Marketing, Quality, Regulatory) as well as communication to senior and executive management.

What you will do

• Specify, design, verify and validate new mechanical designs, in accordance with applicable medical regulatory standards.
• Support high-level technical investigation of manufacturing line issues.
• Responsible for the development of technical project plans and schedules covering all engineering activities, meeting all design control and product development SOP requirements
• Works in the development and management of resource plans, budgets, schedules, etc.
• Lead the development of product specifications, FMEAs, DOEs, verification and validation protocols and plans.
• Responsible for managing resources, the creation of project schedules and setting and maintaining budgets.
• Communicates effectively and participates in cross functional development teams.
• Participates in technical design reviews of mechanical design, hardware, PCBA interface, mechanical assemblies, production processes, product design and requirements documents.
• Writing, submittal, and approval of Engineering Changes, as required.
• May review and approve ECs.
• Act as independent reviewer on programs in which not directly involved.
• Responsible for utilizing and maintaining the effectiveness of the quality system.
• Ensure that product designs, components and materials meet all applicable standards
• Responsible for compliance with applicable Corporate and Divisional Policies.
• Development and execution of new medical devices, processes, equipment, materials, verification and validation Implement approved Design Control procedures for product development in accordance with FDA guidelines.
• Provide mentoring, technical guidance for mechanical engineering team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent engineering or scientific discipline. Master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum 10 years related experience in engineering.
• Strong technical experience in mechanical engineering, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent knowledge of general engineering principles. Extensive knowledge of regulations for medical device development (ISO15197, ISO134851, ISO13485, FDA) desired.
• Extensive understanding of processes and materials used in the development and manufacturing of medical devices is ideal.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience in all of the following : Performing complex engineering calculations and relating results to controlled tests, including statistical analysis, tolerance analysis.
• Working in a development environment with an emphasis on medical device product development.
• Writing product requirements and design specifications.
• Supporting equipment/facility/process commissioning and validation required.
• Working on a development team with an emphasis on minimizing time to market.
• Design for manufacture of low-cost, high-volume disposable products.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of GxP, ISO and medical device regulations and the development and implementation of new products in a regulated environment desired.
• Extensive experience working in cross-functional team environments is required.

The base pay for this position is $130,700.00 – $261,300.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.