Senior R&D Engineer - Data Science

Smith & Nephew; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k Matching Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Discounted Stock Options

Health Savings Account (Employer)

Job summary

Smith+Neb in Pittsburgh, PA is seeking a Senior R&D Engineer, Data Science to develop AI/ML solutions for healthcare devices across orthopedics, wound care, and sports medicine. You will ship end-to-end models and collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams.

The role requires 3–6 years of ML experience, strong Python and libraries, and ability to design data pipelines and evaluate models. Travel up to 5% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Mathematics, AI, CS, or related discipline; Master/PhD preferred.
• 3–6 years of experience applying ML in research, academia, or industry.
• Strong Python and libraries (NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras).

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and validate advanced AI/ML solutions for healthcare and medical device applications.
• Design, train, tune, and evaluate ML and DL models using industry frameworks and tools.
• Build and maintain data pipelines, scripts, and internal tools for experimentation.

Skills

Python

NumPy

Pandas

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Keras

Education

Bachelor's degree in Data Science/CS/Math

Master's or Doctoral degree preferred

Tools

Jupyter

Git

Job description

Life Unlimited. At Smith+Neb design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. Join our AI Center of Excellence and help shape the future of healthcare innovation. As a Senior R&D Engineer, Data Science based in Pittsburgh, PA, you will develop advanced AI and machine learning solutions that support products across orthopedics, wound care, and sports medicine. This is an exciting opportunity to work on complex real-world challenges, transform research into practical solutions, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams that are advancing medical technology.

What will you be doing?

• Develop, implement, and validate advanced AI and machine learning solutions for healthcare and medical device applications.
• Design, train, tune, and evaluate machine learning and deep learning models using industry leading frameworks and tools.
• Research emerging AI and machine learning techniques and assessing their application to real world healthcare challenges.
• Build and maintain data pipelines, prototype systems, scripts, and internal tools that support experimentation and model development.
• Prepare, clean, and curate structured and unstructured datasets while developing effective feature engineering strategies.
• Run experiments, analyze results, and validate model performance using appropriate statistical and evaluation methods.
• Partners with AI researchers, R&D engineers, and product teams to integrate AI capabilities into broader solutions and workflows.
• Document technical approaches, findings, and model behavior to support product development and decision making.
• Contribute to a collaborative environment while mentoring less experienced engineers and supporting team success.

What will you need to be successful?

• Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A Master's or Doctoral degree is preferred.
• 3 to 6 years of experience applying machine learning tools in research, academic, or industrial environments.
• Strong Python programming skills and hands on experience with data science and machine learning libraries including NumPy, Pandas, Scikit learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Keras.
• Experience building end to end machine learning workflows from data preparation through model evaluation and prototyping.
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, data analytics, and experimental design, with the ability to communicate complex technical findings to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently on complex technical challenges in a fast paced, collaborative environment.
• Ability to travel up to 5% as required.

This position does not offer visa sponsorship now or in the future

You Unlimited. We believe in creating the greatest good for society. Our strongest investments are in our people and the patients we serve.

Inclusion and Belonging- Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving on Inclusion and Belonging, Learn more about Employee Inclusion Groups on our website (https://www.smith-nephew.com/).

Your Future

• 401k Matching Program
• 401k Plus Program
• Discounted Stock Options
• Tuition Reimbursement

Work/Life Balance

• Flexible Personal/Vacation Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Flex Holidays
• Paid Community Service Day

Your Wellbeing

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Savings Account (Employer Contribution of $500+ annually)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Parental Leave
• Fertility and Adoption Assistance Program

Training

• Hands-On
• Team-Customized
• Mentorship

Extra Perks

• Discounts on fitness clubs
• travel and more!

#LI-HYBRID #LI-SB2 #LI-DNI

Smith+Neb provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

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Explore our website and learn more about our mission, our team, and the opportunities we offer.

Smith+Neb is a global medical technology company. We design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. We support healthcare professionals to return their patients to health and mobility, helping them to perform at their fullest potential.

From our first employee and founder, T.J. Smith, to our team today, it’s our people who make Smith+Neb a unique place. Yes, we love to innovate and develop exciting technologies, and we offer competitive salaries and progressive benefits. But it’s our culture- of Care, Collaboration and Courage - that really sets us apart. Through a spirit of ownership and can-do attitude we work together to win.

We’re a company of people who care about each other, about our customers and their patients, and about our communities. Together, we fulfill our shared purpose of Life Unlimited.