Principal R&D Engineer- P5

Boston Scientific; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 222,000; Full time

Job summary

Boston Scientific’s Relievant division is seeking a Principal R&D Engineer – P5 to advance minimally invasive spinal technologies. You will lead research, design, and development from concept through commercialization, coordinating with vendors and internal partners to meet regulatory and business goals.

The role demands deep technical expertise, hands‑on engineering, and strong collaboration across functions to deliver high‑performance medical devices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in mechanical, industrial, electrical or biomedical engineering.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in engineering product design.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in the medical device industry.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully developing, launching and commercializing products.
• Proficiency with CAD and hands-on engineering of medical devices.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary project teams in design, development, and manufacturing of spinal products.
• Conduct research and prototyping for new product development or improvements.
• Serve as technical and project leader for development and manufacturing.
• Coordinate verification and validation activities and write protocols.
• Lead bench-top, pre-clinical and cadaver studies for regulatory and R&D needs.
• Provide technical support to sales, regulatory and manufacturing teams.

Skills

Mechanical design

Industrial engineering

Electrical engineering

Biomedical engineering

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Engineering degree (Bachelors/Masters/PhD)

Tools

SolidWorks

CAD modeling

Job description

Additional Location(s): US-CA-San Jose

Diversity - Innovation - Caring - Global Collaboration - Winning Spirit - High Performance

At Boston Scientific, we’ll give you the opportunity to harness all that’s within you by working in teams of diverse and high-performing employees, tackling some of the most important health industry challenges. With access to the latest tools, information and training, we’ll help you in advancing your skills and career. Here, you’ll be supported in progressing – whatever your ambitions.

About The Role

Boston Scientific was recognized by Forbes as one of the Best Workplaces for Engineers in 2026, reflecting a culture where engineers do meaningful work.

The Relievant’s Principal R&D Engineer – P5 will lead in the advancement of the company’s minimally invasive low back pain technology. This position is responsible for applied research, acting as a project lead, new product development, product design, as well as working with manufacturing vendors and suppliers in alignment with the company’s strategic goals, objectives, resources, and priorities.

In this role, you will contribute to the development and manufacturing of energy-based and non-energy-based spinal products, working closely with internal partners, physicians, external vendors, consultants and suppliers. You will apply deep technical expertise and hands‑on engineering capabilities to advance products from early-stage concepts through development, testing and commercialization in alignment with business, quality and regulatory requirements.

Work Model And Sponsorship

This is an on‑site position based in San Jose, California. Employees in this role are expected to work from the local Boston Scientific site. Boston Scientific will not offer sponsorship or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position at this time.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Lead and function as a contributing member of multidisciplinary project teams in the design, development, and manufacturing of energy based and non-energy based spinal products.
• Conduct research and concept prototyping for new product development or existing product improvements.
• Contribute inventions, new design or techniques to solve technical problems or improve existing products or processes.
• Serve as a technical and project leader for the team in the development and manufacturing of the medical devices.
• Coordinate verification and validation activities, including writing and executing protocols. Is broadly knowledgeable in requirements of associated industry standards.
• Lead, plan, develop, and execute relevant bench‑top, pre‑clinical and cadaver studies as needed for regulatory, clinical and R&D requirements.
• Provide technical support and training to sales, marketing, clinical, regulatory and manufacturing teams. Interact with physicians and surgeons to understand the unmet needs.
• Interact with outside vendors, consultants and academia.
• Responsible for product research, product testing and product development and execution for the company.
• Incorporate feedback from clinical sites and key opinion leaders into product design and research activities.
• Execute and integrate review of data, and best practices and incorporates into product research and development.
• Communicate ongoing research, product development, and testing to appropriate stakeholders.
• Collaborate across functions participating in product development timelines to meet milestones.
• Develop protocols, processes, procedures, work instructions, and equipment specifications, and all other requirements for current and new products produced in-house and at contract manufacturing locations, and internal operations.
• Develop and execute processes in alignment with all regulatory and quality standards.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in mechanical, industrial, electrical or biomedical engineering.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in engineering product design.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in the medical device industry.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully developing, launching and commercializing products.
• Demonstrated experience executing complex programs through successful completion.
• Expertise in product and scientific research and technical problem-solving within the medical device industry.
• Demonstrated experience taking products from concept through commercialization.
• Experience developing energy-based medical devices using technologies such as radiofrequency, ultrasound, microwave or cryo technologies.
• Hands‑on experimental engineering experience with electromechanical medical devices.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team‑oriented environment that embraces change, risk and flexibility.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously while working effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to understand customer needs and develop solutions that address technical and clinical requirements.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of engineering principles, theories, concepts and techniques, with working knowledge of engineering disciplines and product development processes.
• Familiarity with mechanisms, engineering materials, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and engineering drawing standards.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems through creative engineering designs.
• Proficiency with computer‑aided design (CAD) modeling techniques, including part families and assemblies.
• Proficiency in prototyping energy‑based medical devices.
• Understanding of applicable IEC 60601, HF‑18, ISO, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and ANSI/AAMI standards related to medical device testing and development.
• Demonstrated initiative, independent judgment and strong business acumen.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in spine or pain management, including knowledge of degenerative disc disease, functional biomechanics and bone mechanics.
• Experience using SolidWorks for product design and development.

Requisition ID: 634841

Minimum Salary: $ 116600

Maximum Salary: $ 221500

The anticipated compensation listed above and the value of core and optional employee benefits offered by Boston Scientific (BSC) – see www.bscbenefitsconnect.com—will vary based on actual location of the position and other pertinent factors considered in determining actual compensation for the role. Compensation will be commensurate with demonstrable level of experience and training, pertinent education including licensure and certifications, among other relevant business or organizational needs. At BSC, it is not typical for an individual to be hired near the bottom or top of the anticipated salary range listed above.

Compensation for non-exempt (hourly), non-sales roles may also include variable compensation from time to time (e.g., any overtime and shift differential) and annual bonus target (subject to plan eligibility and other requirements).

Compensation for exempt, non-sales roles may also include variable compensation, i.e., annual bonus target and long‑term incentives (subject to plan eligibility and other requirements).

For MA positions: It is unlawful to require or administer a lie detector test for employment. Violators are subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical technologies that improve the health of patients around the world. As a global medical technology leader for more than 45 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high‑performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of healthcare. Our portfolio of devices and therapies helps physicians diagnose and treat complex cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, oncological, neurological and urological diseases and conditions. Learn more atwww.bostonscientific.comand follow us onLinkedIn.

Boston Scientific Corporation has been and will continue to be an equal opportunity employer. To ensure full implementation of its equal employment policy, the Company will continue to take steps to assure that recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion, compensation, and all other personnel decisions are made and administered without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information or any other protected class.

Please be advised that certain US based positions, including without limitation field sales and service positions that call on hospitals and/or health care centers, require acceptable proof of COVID-19 vaccination status. Candidates will be notified during the interview and selection process if the role(s) for which they have applied require proof of vaccination as a condition of employment. Boston Scientific continues to evaluate its policies and protocols regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and will comply with all applicable state and federal law and healthcare credentialing requirements. As employees of the Company, you will be expected to meet the ongoing requirements for your roles, including any new requirements, should the Company’s policies or protocols change with regard to COVID-19 vaccination.

Among other requirements, Boston Scientific maintains specific prohibited substance test requirements for safety‑sensitive positions. This role is deemed safety‑sensitive and, as such, candidates will be subject to a prohibited substance test as a requirement. The goal of the prohibited substance testing is to increase workplace safety in compliance with the applicable law.