Staff Microbiologist

Stryker Corporation; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

Stryker Corporation in San Jose, CA is seeking a Staff Microbiologist to support the development, validation, and lifecycle management of medical devices within the Endoscopy business unit.

You will lead microbiology, biocompatibility, and sterilization activities, collaborate with R&D, Regulatory Affairs, and QA, and ensure products meet biological safety and regulatory requirements throughout the lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, Microbiology, Biomedical Engineering, Toxicology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or regulated healthcare environments supporting microbiology, biocompatibility, sterilization, processing, or sterility assurance activities for sterile and/or reusable products.
• Working knowledge of medical device regulations such as ISO 10993, ISO 11135, ISO 11137, ISO 17665, AAMI, FDA, EU MDR, and other applicable regulatory standards.
• Experience authoring and reviewing technical documentation, including biological evaluation plans/reports (BEP/BER), test plans, validation protocols, validation documentation, and technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Apply ISO, FDA, AAMI, EU MDR, and other applicable standards to develop microbiology, biocompatibility, sterilization, and reprocessing test strategies for medical devices.
• Lead microbiology and biocompatibility activities for product development projects, including defining testing requirements, acceptance criteria, and validation strategies.
• Partner with R&D teams to provide technical guidance on materials, product design, sterilization methods, and reprocessing considerations throughout development.
• Develop, review, and approve protocols, reports, risk assessments, and technical documentation supporting biological safety, sterilization, processing, and regulatory compliance.
• Support design reviews, development milestones, engineering changes, supplier changes, nonconformance investigations, CAPAs, and regulatory submissions.
• Execute and support sterilization process validations, equipment qualifications (IQ/OQ/PQ), requalification activities, and microbiological monitoring programs.
• Assess technical risks and recommend solutions to ensure product safety, performance, compliance, and successful project execution.
• Participate in regulatory and supplier audits as a subject matter expert for microbiology, sterilization, biocompatibility, and reprocessing activities.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of procedures, work instructions, and processes to align with evolving regulations and industry standards.
• Support knowledge sharing and onboarding activities by providing technical guidance and training to team members and cross‑functional partners.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including R&D, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Manufacturing, Operations, and external testing laboratories.

Skills

Microbiology

Biocompatibility

Sterilization

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree or Ph.D.

Job description

Work Flexibility: Remote or Hybrid or Onsite Stryker is seeking a Staff Microbiologist for our Endoscopy business unit in San Jose, CA. We are seeking a talented and motivated Microbiologist to provide technical expertise supporting the development, validation, and lifecycle management of medical devices. In this role, you will partner with cross‑functional teams to support microbiology, sterilization, reprocessing, and biocompatibility activities for both new product development and sustaining engineering efforts. You will independently lead assigned projects, develop technical strategies, and ensure products meet applicable biological safety, sterilization, and regulatory requirements. This position plays a key role in supporting product quality, regulatory compliance, and patient safety through the application of scientific principles, industry standards, and risk‑based decision making throughout the product lifecycle.

What you will do

• Apply ISO, FDA, AAMI, EU MDR, and other applicable standards to develop microbiology, biocompatibility, sterilization, and reprocessing test strategies for medical devices.
• Lead microbiology and biocompatibility activities for product development projects, including defining testing requirements, acceptance criteria, and validation strategies.
• Partner with R&D teams to provide technical guidance on materials, product design, sterilization methods, and reprocessing considerations throughout development.
• Develop, review, and approve protocols, reports, risk assessments, and technical documentation supporting biological safety, sterilization, processing, and regulatory compliance.
• Support design reviews, development milestones, engineering changes, supplier changes, nonconformance investigations, CAPAs, and regulatory submissions.
• Execute and support sterilization process validations, equipment qualifications (IQ/OQ/PQ), requalification activities, and microbiological monitoring programs.
• Assess technical risks and recommend solutions to ensure product safety, performance, compliance, and successful project execution.
• Participate in regulatory and supplier audits as a subject matter expert for microbiology, sterilization, biocompatibility, and reprocessing activities.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of procedures, work instructions, and processes to align with evolving regulations and industry standards.
• Support knowledge sharing and onboarding activities by providing technical guidance and training to team members and cross‑functional partners.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including R&D, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Manufacturing, Operations, and external testing laboratories.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, Microbiology, Biomedical Engineering, Toxicology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or regulated healthcare environments supporting microbiology, biocompatibility, sterilization, processing, or sterility assurance activities for sterile and/or reusable products.
• Working knowledge of medical device regulations such as ISO 10993, ISO 11135, ISO 11137, ISO 17665, AAMI, FDA, EU MDR, and other applicable regulatory standards.
• Experience authoring and reviewing technical documentation, including biological evaluation plans/reports (BEP/BER), test plans, validation protocols, validation documentation, and technical reports.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Biology, Microbiology, Biomedical Engineering, Toxicology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience spanning all three key technical disciplines: reusable medical device processing validations, terminal sterilization technologies, and biological testing strategy development and biological safety evaluations.
• Experience working with external test laboratories, contract sterilizers, and suppliers supporting biological safety or sterilization activities.
• Experience supporting regulatory submissions for global markets.

United States of America Pay Ranges

• Puerto Rico: $77,700 - $129,500 USD Annual
• USN: $83,300 - $138,800 USD Annual
• US5: $87,500 - $145,700 USD Annual
• US10: $91,600 - $152,700 USD Annual
• US15: $95,800 - $159,600 USD Annual
• US20: $100,000 - $166,600 USD Annual
• US30: $108,300 - $180,400 USD Annual

Travel Percentage: 10%

Stryker Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Stryker is an EO employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability. Stryker Corporation will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Stryker is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies and, together with its customers, is driven to make healthcare better. We offer innovative products and services in Orthopaedics, Medical and Surgical, and Neurotechnology and Spine that help improve patient and hospital outcomes. We are proud to be named one of the World’s Best Workplaces! For more information, visit: www.stryker.com

Work Flexibility Details

Work Flexibility Remote – Role allows you to work the majority to 100% of time from an alternate workplace. These roles could have travel expectations, and you must work within the country of the job requisition location. Field-based – You can expect to regularly work a majority to 100% of time at customer facilities and has a set territory or expectation to travel within a set boundary. Almost all sales roles would likely be qualified as field-based. Onsite – Role is 100% located at a Stryker facility. Some ad hoc flexibility may be available depending on role, level, and job requirements. Manufacturing roles and any role that requires physical presence at the office would qualify under this category. Hybrid – You can expect to regularly work in both an alternate workplace and a Stryker facility. Roles that are partially remote or co‑located would qualify as hybrid, and the expectation to be onsite would be defined and agreed upon by your manager/supervisor.