Senior Research & Development Engineer - Onsite

SLD Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 106,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

401(k) with employer match

Tuition assistance/reimbursement

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA in Memphis, TN, is seeking a research-focused professional to advance cranial and spinal technologies. The role is onsite with no travel required and involves leading studies from concept to commercialization, translating findings into actionable design recommendations.

The candidate will design and execute R&D activities, analyze data, and collaborate across engineering, clinical, quality, and regulatory teams to ensure product safety and effectiveness within a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 4+ years of spine technologies experience OR advanced degree with 2+ years of relevant R&D experience.
• Experience designing, executing, and analyzing scientific or engineering studies.
• Experience collecting, interpreting, and communicating technical data and study results.
• Experience supporting research, product development, or technology development initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute research and development activities supporting new product and technology development initiatives.
• Develop and evaluate studies to investigate scientific and technical questions relevant to product performance, safety, and effectiveness.
• Analyze experimental results and technical data to support project decisions and development milestones.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges and recommend solutions to advance research and product development objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support product development activities from concept through commercialization.
• Contribute to research programs, product development projects, and clinical study activities as applicable.
• Translate scientific and technical findings into product design recommendations and development strategies.
• Document research methods, study findings, and technical conclusions in accordance with quality and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Spine technologies

Study design

Data interpretation

Research & development experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree in engineering or life sciences

Job description

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 19 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

Cranial & Spinal Technologies develops technologies and therapies that support the treatment of complex neurological and spinal conditions. The organization partners across research, engineering, clinical, and product development teams to advance solutions that improve patient outcomes and expand treatment options for patients and healthcare providers.

This position is based in Memphis, Tennessee, and follows an onsite work arrangement. No travel is required for this role.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute research and development activities supporting new product and technology development initiatives.
• Develop and evaluate studies to investigate scientific and technical questions relevant to product performance, safety, and effectiveness.
• Analyze experimental results and technical data to support project decisions and development milestones.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges and recommend solutions to advance research and product development objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support product development activities from concept through commercialization.
• Contribute to research programs, product development projects, and clinical study activities as applicable.
• Translate scientific and technical findings into product design recommendations and development strategies.
• Document research methods, study findings, and technical conclusions in accordance with quality and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 4+ years of spine technologies experience, OR an advanced degree with 2+ years of relevant research and development experience.
• Experience designing, executing, and analyzing scientific or engineering studies.
• Experience collecting, interpreting, and communicating technical data and study results.
• Experience supporting research, product development, or technology development initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in engineering, life sciences, biomedical engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience in medical device research and development.
• Experience supporting product development activities within a regulated environment.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including engineering, clinical, quality, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Experience translating scientific research or technical discoveries into product development applications.
• 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):$105,600.00 - $158,400.00 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).

• 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, and Simple Steps (global well-being program).
• 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), and 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

EEO & Diversity Statement

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.

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.