R&D Test Lab Manager – Spinal Implants

Carlsmed, Inc.; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer matching

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Carlsmed, Inc. is seeking a Manager, R&D Test Lab in Carlsbad, CA to lead the mechanical testing lab for spinal implants and instruments. You will own lab capability, equipment, test methods, and compliance with QMS and FDA expectations while partnering with R&D, Quality, Regulatory, and Operations.

The role requires directing test programs, improving throughput, and mentoring lab staff. Strong leadership and hands-on testing expertise are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Biomedical or Biomechanical Engineering or related field.
• 7–10 years of relevant engineering/testing experience; MS may supplement.
• Experience collaborating with junior and senior engineers and providing technical guidance.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead day-to-day operation of the mechanical testing lab and test frames; manage capacity, scheduling, maintenance, calibration, and uptime.
• Provide technical leadership for static, fatigue, torsion, compression, bending, pullout, subsidence, construct and instrument testing per ASTM standards.
• Oversee development, qualification, and execution of mechanical test methods, fixtures, and reports per QMS and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate cadaveric/animal studies with external labs; manage external testing partnerships and reporting.
• Maintain awareness of ASTM/ISO standards and FDA expectations for spinal implants and instrumentation.
• Ensure testing is sound, repeatable, traceable, and well-documented; translate design questions into mechanical experiments.
• Lead or collaborate on investigations of complaints, field issues, and test variability; drive fixture/automation improvements.
• Develop equipment roadmaps, CAPEX planning, and KPI reporting; coordinate with leadership.

Skills

Communication

Documentation

Risk awareness

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Autonomy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Biomedical/Biomechanical Engineering

Tools

Instron/MTS electromechanical test systems

Load cells

Fatigue testing

Fixture design

Statistics/Data analysis

Job description

Carlsmed, Inc. is seeking a Manager, R&D Test Lab in Carlsbad, CA to lead the mechanical testing lab for spinal implants and instruments. You will own lab capability, equipment, test methods, and compliance with QMS and FDA expectations while partnering with R&D, Quality, Regulatory, and Operations.

The role requires directing test programs, improving throughput, and mentoring lab staff. Strong leadership and hands-on testing expertise are essential.