Senior Technician, R&D

Edwards Lifesciences Gruppe; Alton (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Benefits package

Job summary

Edwards Lifesciences Gruppe is seeking an engineer in a hands-on R&D environment focused on metallic prototype development for structural heart innovations. You will collaborate with Quality and Manufacturing to advance prototype tools, test fixtures, and fabrication processes.

The role emphasizes reading engineering drawings, operating machining equipment, and contributing to documentation practices within Edwards’ GDP environment. On-site work with cross-functional teams is expected.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree or equivalent in technical field and 2+ years in an R&D lab or medical device experience OR 4+ years in an R&D lab/medical device environment.
• Experience reading engineering drawings, schematics and technical documentation.
• Experience operating lab, fabrication, manufacturing, or development equipment.

Responsibilities

• Build, modify, and troubleshoot prototypes, sub-assemblies, and fixtures in support of new product development.
• Support engineers in prototype development, testing, fabrication, assembly, and evaluation.
• Operate and troubleshoot lab and prototype fabrication equipment including machine shop tools.
• Document results and communicate observations to engineering teams.

Skills

Prototype development

Reading drawings

CAD

Mechanical aptitude

Education

Associate degree or technical certificate

Tools

SolidWorks

CNC equipment

Lasers

Job description

Innovation starts from the heart. At Edwards, we put patients first. We invest a significant proportion of our revenue towards research and development to drive and develop groundbreaking medical innovations for structural heart disease. As part of our R&D Engineering team, you will work closely with our Quality and Manufacturing teams to develop the latest tools and technologies to address significant, unmet clinical needs that impact patients' lives around the world. Our Advanced Innovation & Technology (AI&T) Metals Center of Excellence harnesses the imagination, courage, and resourcefulness to think beyond what's currently possible and create solutions for patients many years into the future. If you're an innovator who enjoys building, testing, and solving technical challenges, Edwards AI&T is the place to take the next step in your career. We provide the tools, resources, and collaborative environment needed to develop technologies that help shape the future of structural heart innovation.

How You'll Make an Impact

• Build, modify, and troubleshoot metallic prototypes, sub-assemblies, feasibility test units, samples, and fixtures in support of new product development activities.
• Support engineers in prototype development, testing, fabrication, assembly, and evaluation activities with minimal supervision.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot a variety of laboratory and prototype fabrication equipment, including machine shop and metalworking tools.
• Perform operational testing, collect data, document results, and communicate observations to engineering teams.
• Assist with the development and refinement of prototype manufacturing processes and laboratory procedures.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, work instructions, and assembly documentation.
• Support the design, fabrication, and modification of tooling, fixtures, and prototype components.
• Help identify technical issues and contribute to practical solutions that improve prototype quality, manufacturability, and development efficiency.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, supplies, and materials to support ongoing development programs.
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, and cross-functional teams to support project objectives and timelines.
• Ensure compliance with Edwards quality systems, Good Documentation Practices (GDP), and Environmental Health & Safety requirements.

What You'll Need (Required)

• Associate's Degree or equivalent in or technical degree/certificate and 2 +years experience in an R&D Lab and/or medical device experience - OR - 4+ years experience in an R&D Lab and/or medical device experience

What Else We Look For (Preferred)

• Experience building and troubleshooting prototypes, assemblies, or test fixtures.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and technical documentation.
• Experience operating laboratory, fabrication, manufacturing, or development equipment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on technical skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation practices.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment with minimal supervision.
• Working knowledge of CAD or drafting software such as SolidWorks.
• Experience operating CNC equipment, lasers, or other prototype fabrication equipment.
• Metalworking experience with machining, forming, joining, or finishing metallic components.
• Knowledge of material compatibility and manufacturing considerations for medical device applications.
• Understanding of root cause analysis and structured problem-solving methods.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to design or modify simple tools and fixtures to support prototype development activities.
• Knowledge of Edwards Environmental Health & Safety and Quality System requirements.
• Ability to provide technical input and feedback in a professional and collaborative manner.

Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families. For California (CA), the base pay range for this position is $70,000 to $99,000 (highly experienced). The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience).

Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities. Edwards Lifesciences is the leading global structural heart innovation company, driven by a passion to improve patient lives. Through breakthrough technologies, world-class evidence and partnerships with clinicians and healthcare stakeholders, our employees are inspired by our patient-focused culture to deliver life-changing innovations to those who need them most.