Senior Systems Engineer

Johnson Johnson; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson is seeking a Senior System Engineer based in Boston, MA or Raynham, MA with in‑office expectations of a minimum of 3 days per week. The role focuses on defining, integrating, and evaluating advanced technology prototypes for surgical robotics and digital orthopedic applications.

You will partner with Advanced Technology, R&D, clinical, and external partners to translate technology hypotheses into feasible plans and prototype demonstrations.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive system definition and demonstration strategy for advanced technology prototypes and proofs of concept, including architecture, integration approach, and success criteria.
• Develop and document prototype requirements, translating technology hypotheses and early user needs into clear, verifiable criteria.
• Collaborate across R&D, clinical, quality, regulatory, and engineering disciplines to assess technology feasibility and integration potential.
• Work hands‑on with prototypes, demonstration setups, and experimental platforms to accelerate technical learning and decision‑making.
• Develop prototype system architectures integrating external technologies, electromechanical subsystems, software, sensing, and controls.

Job description

Job Function:

R&D Product Development

Job Sub Function:

R&D Software/Systems Engineering

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America, Raynham, Massachusetts, United States of America

Job Description:

About Orthopaedics

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we’re developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments.

Are you passionate about improving and expanding the possibilities of Orthopaedics? Ready to join a team that’s reimagining how we heal? Our Orthopaedics teams help keep more than 6 million people moving each year while delivering clinical and economic value to surgeons and healthcare systems. Our teams build solutions for joint reconstruction; trauma and craniomaxillofacial; sports, extremities, and elective foot and ankle; spine; and robotics and digital surgery.

Your unique talents will help patients on their journey to wellness. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/medtech

We are searching for Senior System Engineer to be based out of Boston, Massachusetts, USA or Raynham, Massachusetts with in office expectations of a minimum of 3 days per week.

Purpose:

The Senior System Engineer, Advanced Technology is an experienced individual contributor responsible for defining, integrating, and evaluating advanced technology prototypes and proofs of concept for surgical robotics and digital orthopedic applications. This role focuses on foundational technologies, early feasibility assessment, and integration of external advanced technology components.

This position partners closely with Advanced Technology, R&D, clinical, and external innovation partners to translate technology hypotheses and early opportunity assessments into structured feasibility plans, prototype requirements, and prototype demonstration plans. The role enables evidence-based decisions on technology maturation and integration potential.

The Senior System Engineer leads system definition and demonstration planning for exploratory technology projects, including prototype architecture development, integration of external technology components, and assessment of early prototypes, generally operating with a high degree of autonomy. The role emphasizes rapid learning, rigorous technical evaluation, and clear documentation of risks, limitations, and recommendations.

While this role does not directly develop commercial products, it applies appropriate medical device engineering rigor, risk-based thinking, and quality principles to prototype and proof-of-concept activities. This role requires strong hands‑on system integration capabilities and experience supporting prototype demonstrations, with the ability to work across ambiguous early-stage concepts, benchtop systems, and simulated use environments.

Job Responsibilities:

• Define and drive system definition and demonstration strategy for advanced technology prototypes and proofs of concept, including architecture, integration approach, and success criteria.
• Develop and document prototype requirements, translating technology hypotheses and early user needs into clear, verifiable criteria.
• Collaborate across R&D, clinical, quality, regulatory, and engineering disciplines to assess technology feasibility and integration potential.
• Work hands‑on with prototypes, demonstration setups, and experimental platforms to accelerate technical learning and decision‑making.
• Develop prototype system architectures integrating external technologies, electromechanical subsystems, software, sensing, and controls.
• Apply risk‑based engineering judgment to identify prototype hazards, technical limitations, and evidence gaps.
• Define system behaviors, demonstration scenarios, performance metrics, and acceptance criteria for feasibility studies, working with a high degree of independence.
• Plan and execute feasibility and characterization studies for foundational technologies and early prototypes in lab or simulated use environments.
• Lead technical reviews of prototypes and technology options, contributing to discussions on assumptions, risks, and trade‑offs.
• Define prototype i