Principal R&D Engineer, Foot & Ankle

CONMED Corporation; United States; On-site; USD 130,654 - 209,980; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid paternity leave

Tuition assistance

Job summary

A leading company in medical devices is seeking a Principal Engineer for their Foot & Ankle R&D Engineering team. This role involves leading product design transfers, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in product development and medical device manufacturing, along with strong project management skills. This position offers the opportunity to impact patient outcomes significantly through innovative engineering solutions.

Qualifications

• 12 years related experience in product development engineering with a bachelor’s degree.
• Medical Device experience with mechanical design in a highly regulated industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects for transfer of new products and continuous improvement.
• Provide engineering support for new product and process introductions.
• Engage with suppliers to resolve manufacturing issues.

Skills

Problem Solving

Project Management

Technical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s degree in engineering

Tools

Computer Aided Design (CAD)

SolidWorks

Microsoft Project

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

We are dedicated to innovation across our product portfolio and believe in the power of engaged talent on our teams. This is a high impact position that will allow you to leverage your problem solving, project management, and technical skills in a role that is designed to bridge the gaps between new product development introductions, purchased manufacturing supply base and product engineering. The ideal candidate will have prior design experience in combination with applied manufacturing knowledge. As Principal Engineer – Design Transfer & Product Engineering on CONMED's Foot & Ankle R&D Engineering team, you will work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to apply your knowledge of manufacturing methods to transfer designs to production and serve as the lead for all global product engineering in support of CONMED's Mission – to deliver exceptional outcomes for patients. As a technical leader you will play a key role in new product introductions, continuous improvement and support of released product. In this role you will also partner with sourcing to develop supplier capabilities used in the manufacturing of complex high precision medical devices and components.

The Principal Engineer conducts their duties with little or no supervision interacting directly with cross-functional teams. In addition the Principal Engineer usually is the technical leader for his projects while mentoring other engineers as needed.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead projects and meet all assigned project deadlines and deliverables for: transfer of new products, continuous improvement projects, cost savings initiatives, design changes, and sourcing efforts
• Collaborate with Marketing to design and implement existing product enhancements & design changes through the change control process
• Provide engineering support for new product and process introductions, ensuring that all activities are completed and documented in accordance with Quality Management System procedures
• Support product transfers and launches by generating PFMEAs, control plans, inspection procedures and support supplier quality to qualify and approve production parts
• Independently research, ideate, innovate, design, develop, acquire prototypes & refine solutions to complex clinical problems
• Execute design verification and validating activities by applying industry standards, test strategies and applicable regulations to ensure safety, efficacy and compliance
• Perform process verification & validation and qualify/re-qual. vendors, suppliers, components, items, parts, new & existing processes, etc., including travel to suppliers to complete assignments
• Lead & own creation and refinement of engineering documentation, such as the Design History file elements in accordance with the Quality Management System
• Engage with supplier to investigate and resolve any issues that arise during the manufacturing process to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives are met and supply disruptions are minimized
• Perform complaint investigations, root-cause investigation, recommend and implement corrective action for product design issues to ensure continuity of supply
• Support capital planning and acquisition activity including specifying equipment, contract negotiation, Installation and validation
• Initiates and implements changes in methods, design or process where necessary
• Analyze, correct & mitigate complex product design issues using independent judgment.
• Perform other related functions as required by management

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering or related discipline
• 12 years related experience in product development engineering with a bachelor’s degree; 8 years with a master’s degree
• Medical Device experience, with mechanical design in a highly regulated industry (preferably across a range of manufacturing methods including injection molding, screw machining, milling, welding, and sterilization and packaging)

Preferred Requirements:

• Proficient in Computer Aided Design (CAD), Solid modelling (SolidWorks preferred)
• Must have applied technical knowledge of manufacturing methods and materials used to manufacture surgical devices (e.g. injection molding, screw machining, milling, welding, and sterilization and packaging)
• Prior Orthopedics new product development, including implantables, plating systems & surgical instrumentation, and/or soft tissue, allograft & biologics solutions (Preferably within Foot & Ankle)
• Sound understanding of GD&T, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), related statistical tools and process validation/verification techniques
• Prior project management and/or project engineering, with demonstrated ability to plan and coordinate overall project schedules
• Prior experience validating manufacturing processes through Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ)
• Experience performing Measurement System Analysis (MSA)
• Prior applications of statistical, lean, and six sigma methodologies to improve designs and processes
• Familiarity with Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
• Adept at performing both Design and Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (DFMEA & PFMEA)
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills; able to manage priorities and workflow to meet deadlines
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm
• Proficient on basic computer programs: Microsoft Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint

Expected Travel 0-30%

Memphis/Hybrid: Must be willing and available to travel to the Memphis, TN facility as required

This position is not eligible for employer-visa sponsorship

Disclosure as required by applicable law, the annual salary range for this position is $130,654 to $209,980. The actual compensation may vary based on geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level. The salary range is CONMED’s good faith belief at the time of this posting.

This job posting is anticipated to close on May 31, 2025. We may, however, extend this time period, in which case the posting will remain available on careers.conmed.com. Please submit your application as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis as we receive them.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Industries

  Manufacturing

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Inferred from the description for this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid paternity leave

Tuition assistance

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