Research & Development Engineer II - On-site

SLD Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 89,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account

Tuition assistance/reimbursement

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Medtronic is seeking an R&D Engineer in the Cranial & Spinal Technologies unit based in Memphis, TN. The role includes design support, testing, data analysis, and verification across bone graft materials, delivery instruments, and spine systems.

You will work onsite at least four days per week, participate in cadaveric and pre-clinical studies, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet development timelines and quality requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 2+ years of relevant engineering experience, or a Master's degree in Engineering with 0+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience supporting engineering activities, including testing, data collection, analysis, or product development.
• Ability to document technical work through reports, protocols, and engineering records.
• Experience working within structured processes and complying with quality or regulatory requirements.
• Ability to work onsite in Memphis, Tennessee, a minimum of four days per week.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and development of bone graft technologies, graft delivery instruments, and spine-related products.
• Plan and execute laboratory testing, data collection, and engineering analyses to support product development activities.
• Conduct verification and validation activities, including bench, cadaveric, and pre-clinical studies.
• Assist with the execution and documentation of animal studies, including study coordination, sample handling, and data collection.
• Translate product requirements into design inputs, test methods, and performance evaluations.
• Document engineering activities through technical reports, test protocols, design records, and study summaries.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to support project objectives, quality requirements, and development timelines.
• Evaluate existing and competitive technologies to support product improvements and future development efforts.

Skills

Engineering experience

Testing & data collection

Documentation

Regulatory compliance

Onsite in Memphis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering

Job description

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 12 Sep 2026 Careers that change lives start here.

Medtronic is a global leader in healthcare technology with a Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. Our 95,000 employees work across more than 150 countries to put patients first — developing innovative medical technologies that improve the lives of 72+ million patients each year. Your unique talents will help shape the future of healthcare while building a career grounded in purpose, growth, and impact.

A Day in the Life

The Cranial & Spinal Technologies (CST) Operating Unit develops technologies that support spine and cranial procedures, including spinal implants, navigation and robotic guidance systems, advanced imaging, biologics, and data-driven surgical planning tools. Within CST, this role supports research and development activities focused on bone graft technologies, graft delivery systems, spine-related products, and preclinical research. This position is based in Memphis, Tennessee, and follows an onsite work model, with a minimum of four days per week in the office or laboratory environment. Limited travel may be required to support off-site laboratory activities, pre-clinical studies, and cross-functional collaboration. As an R&D Engineer, you will contribute to the development of products and technologies used in spine surgery and biologic applications. This role supports engineering activities across product development programs, including design support, testing, data analysis, and verification activities related to bone graft materials, delivery instruments, and spine systems. The position offers opportunities to work within multidisciplinary teams while gaining experience in laboratory, cadaveric, and pre-clinical research environments.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support the design and development of bone graft technologies, graft delivery instruments, and spine-related products.
• Plan and execute laboratory testing, data collection, and engineering analyses to support product development activities.
• Conduct verification and validation activities, including bench, cadaveric, and pre-clinical studies.
• Assist with the execution and documentation of animal studies, including study coordination, sample handling, and data collection.
• Translate product requirements into design inputs, test methods, and performance evaluations.
• Document engineering activities through technical reports, test protocols, design records, and study summaries.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to support project objectives, quality requirements, and development timelines.
• Evaluate existing and competitive technologies to support product improvements and future development efforts.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 2+ years of relevant engineering experience, or a Master's degree in Engineering with 0+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience supporting engineering activities, including testing, data collection, analysis, or product development.
• Ability to document technical work through reports, protocols, and engineering records.
• Experience working within structured processes and complying with quality or regulatory requirements.
• Ability to work onsite in Memphis, Tennessee, a minimum of four days per week.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within the medical device, biologics, healthcare, or other regulated industry environment.
• Experience with laboratory testing, biomaterials, tissue-based research, or engineering analysis.
• Knowledge of spinal anatomy, bone grafting technologies, graft delivery systems, or spine-focused therapies.
• Experience supporting verification and validation activities, including bench, cadaveric, or pre-clinical studies.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams in a product development environment.
• For Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) is required.

Physical Job Requirements

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position. The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.

U.S. Work Authorization & Sponsorship

At Medtronic, we are committed to fostering an environment where employees can thrive and make a meaningful impact. In alignment with our enterprise-wide workforce planning approach, U.S. work authorization sponsorship (H-1B, TN, J, etc.) is offered exclusively for Principal-level roles and above, where specialized expertise aligns with long-term business needs. Roles below the Principal level require candidates to possess unrestricted U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and for the duration of employment.

Benefits & Compensation

Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package. A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create. We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage.

Salary ranges for U.S (excl. PR) locations (USD):$88,800.00 - $133,200.00. This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP). The base salary range applies across the United States, excluding Puerto Rico and certain locations in California. The offered rate complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as experience, certification/education, market conditions, and location. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others). The following benefits and additional compensation are available to those regular employees who work 20+ hours per week:

• Health, Dental and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability leave
• Dependent daycare spending account
• Tuition assistance/reimbursement
• Simple Steps (global well-being program)

The following benefits and additional compensation are available to all regular employees:

• Incentive plans
• 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match
• Short-term disability
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums)
• Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums)

Regular employees are those who are not temporary, such as interns. Temporary employees are eligible for paid sick time, as required under applicable state law, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Please note some of the above benefits may not apply to workers in Puerto Rico. Further details are available at the link below: Medtronic benefits and compensation plans

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are applying to perform work for Medtronic, Inc. (“Medtronic”) in any position which will involve performing at least two (2) hours of work on average each week within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, you can find here a list of all material job duties of the specific job position which Medtronic reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. Medtronic will consider for employment qualified job applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

EMPLOYER

We lead global healthcare technology and boldly attack the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people. We are engineers at heart— putting ambitious ideas to work to generate real solutions for real people. From the R&D lab, to the factory floor, to the conference room, every one of us experiments, creates, builds, improves and solves. We have the talent, diverse perspectives, and guts to engineer the extraordinary. We change lives. Each team member, each day, helps to improve and redefine how the world treats the most pressing health conditions, from heart disease to diabetes. Our industry leadership comes from the passion and ingenuity of our people. That’s who we are. Working alongside one another, we use science, medicine, and a profound understanding of the human body to build extraordinary technologies that can transform lives. We build extraordinary solutions as one team. With one Medtronic Mindset defining how we work. Speed and decisiveness run through our DNA. Diverse perspectives inspire our bold answers to any challenge that comes our way. And we deliver results the right way, breakthrough after patient breakthrough.

This life‑changing career is yours to engineer. By bringing your ambitious ideas, unique perspective and contributions, you will… Build a better future, amplifying your impact on the causes that matter to you and the world Grow a career reflective of your passion and abilities Connect to a dynamic and inclusive culture that welcomes the challenge of life‑long learning These commitments set our team apart from the rest: Experiences that put people first. Respect for people is the hallmark of our humanity. It fuels our team to positively impact even a single life. And it means we put our people first at Medtronic as well, creating a culture of belonging and always pushing to get you the career-building resources you need. Life-transforming technologies. No matter your role, you contribute to technologies that transform lives. What we build empowers patients to live life on their terms. Better outcomes for our world. Here, it’s about more than the bottom line. Our Mission to improve human welfare drives us. We advance healthcare, society, and equity with every design, inside and outside our walls. Insight-driven care. Fresh viewpoints. Cutting‑edge AI, data, and automation. You're shaping the future of healthcare technology and defining the next generation of breakthroughs in care It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

For sales reps and other patient facing field employees, going into a healthcare settingis considered an essential function of the job and we expect our employees to comply with all credentialing requirements at the hospitals or clinics they support.

This employer participates in the federal E‑Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E‑Verify program, please click here.

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