Staff Systems Engineer

Becton Dickinson; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 207,000; Full time

Job summary

Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership across complex product development programs in a New Product Development team based in the United States. You will translate stakeholder needs into system solutions, drive requirements, architecture, and verification across hardware and software, and mentor other engineers.

The role emphasizes collaboration across diverse functions, applying DFSS and data-driven methods, with a strong focus on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical discipline is required.
• Postgraduate degree preferred.
• 6–8+ years of relevant engineering experience in systems engineering or related field.
• Experience leading systems engineering for complex products, platforms, or integrated systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide systems engineering leadership across multiple product development programs and initiatives.
• Lead system-level engineering activities through the product lifecycle: concept, requirements, architecture, integration, verification, validation, launch, sustaining support.
• Translate customer and stakeholder needs into robust system requirements and solutions.
• Develop and manage system requirements, traceability, and design inputs for hardware and software systems.
• Define architecture strategies balancing customer needs, feasibility, objectives, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead system-level risk management, including hazard analysis and risk mitigation planning.
• Mentor Systems Engineers and promote best practices across the organization.
• Apply DFSS principles to improve product performance and development efficiency.

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

Requirements development

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

DFSS knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related

Postgraduate degree preferred

Tools

MBSE tools

Job description

We are the people who give possibilities purpose BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it's no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us-from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

Job Description Staff Systems Engineer. Excited to grow your career? Join a New Product Development team at BD! We are looking for an experienced Staff Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership across complex product development initiatives and help shape the future of systems engineering within the organization. The Staff Systems Engineer serves as a recognized technical leader responsible for driving systems engineering strategy and execution across multiple programs and product portfolios. This individual applies deep technical expertise, product development knowledge, and leadership skills to guide cross-functional teams through all phases of the product lifecycle. The Staff Systems Engineer translates customer and stakeholder needs into system solutions, leads the development of requirements and system architectures, manages technical risk, drives system integration activities, and ensures successful verification and validation. This role also champions engineering excellence, mentors other engineers, and advances systems engineering best practices across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide systems engineering leadership across multiple product development programs and strategic initiatives.
• Lead system-level engineering activities throughout the product lifecycle, including concept development, requirements definition, architecture development, integration, verification, validation, launch, and sustaining support.
• Translate customer, stakeholder, regulatory, and business needs into robust system requirements and product solutions.
• Lead development and management of system requirements, requirements traceability, and system-level design inputs across complex hardware and software systems.
• Define and drive system architecture strategies that balance customer needs, technical feasibility, business objectives, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead system-level risk management activities, including hazard analysis, FMEA facilitation, risk mitigation planning, and residual risk evaluation.
• Provide technical leadership for system integration planning, execution, and issue resolution across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Establish verification and validation strategies and ensure successful execution through collaboration with project teams and functional experts.
• Drive reliability planning and product quality improvements using data-driven engineering methods.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration across Reliability, Statistics, Software, Electrical, Mechanical, Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Clinical, Marketing, and Operations organizations to resolve complex technical challenges.
• Serve as the systems engineering representative and technical authority within project core teams and leadership reviews.
• Identify technical risks, critical dependencies, resource needs, and system-level challenges that could impact program execution and business objectives.
• Mentor and develop Systems Engineers, Senior Systems Engineers, and other technical contributors by providing coaching, technical guidance, and systems engineering expertise.
• Drive adoption of systems engineering best practices, tools, methodologies, and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.
• Apply Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) principles and advanced engineering methodologies to improve product performance, quality, and development efficiency.

Required Skills / Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical discipline.
• A postgraduate degree is preferred.
• 6-8+ years of relevant engineering experience, or an equivalent combination of advanced education and engineering experience.
• Demonstrated success leading systems engineering efforts for complex products, platforms, or integrated systems.
• Deep understanding of the product development lifecycle from concept through commercialization and sustaining support.
• Expertise in requirements development, requirements management, and requirements traceability.
• Experience developing system architectures and defining technical strategies for complex multidisciplinary systems.
• Extensive experience leading system-level verification, validation, integration, and risk management activities.
• Strong technical background in Systems Engineering, medical device development, or a related field.
• Outstanding communication, technical writing, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence technical direction and drive alignment across multiple disciplines and organizational levels.
• Proven ability to lead without direct authority and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to engineering excellence.

Preferred Skills / Experience

• Experience developing medical devices or products in a highly regulated industry.
• Experience leading systems engineering activities for software-enabled, connected, or platform-based products.
• Knowledge of the INCOSE handbook or INCOSE ASEP/CSEP certification.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools.
• Expertise in reliability engineering, statistical methods, Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), or design optimization techniques.
• Experience establishing engineering processes, standards, and organizational best practices.
• Experience leading technical initiatives that span multiple programs, product lines, or business functions.
• Experience working in Agile or hybrid product development environments.

Leadership Expectations

Successful Staff Systems Engineers are recognized organizational leaders who:

Shape systems engineering strategy and influence technical direction across multiple programs.

Drive architectural and systems-level decisions that have broad business impact.

Anticipate technical challenges and proactively mitigate risks before they impact programs.

Serve as trusted advisors to engineering leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

Mentor and develop the next generation of systems engineering talent.

Champion customer-focused, risk-based, and data-driven engineering practices.

Lead continuous improvement efforts that strengthen organizational capability and execution.

Balance customer needs, business objectives, technical feasibility, and regulatory requirements to deliver exceptional products.

Remote or Onsite

At BD, we prioritize on-site collaboration because we believe it fosters creativity, innovation, and effective problem-solving, which are essential in the fast-paced healthcare industry. For most roles, we require a minimum of 4 days of in-office presence per week to maintain our culture of excellence and ensure smooth operations, while also recognizing the importance of flexibility and work-life balance. Remote or field-based positions will have different workplace arrangements which will be indicated in the job posting. For certain roles at BD, employment is contingent upon the Company's receipt of sufficient proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In some locations, testing for COVID-19 may be available and/or required. Consistent with BD’s Workplace Accommodations Policy, requests for accommodation will be considered pursuant to applicable law.

Why Join Us?

To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of healthcare. At BD, you’ll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive. We believe that when people connect in person, we learn faster, collaborate more deeply, and build a stronger culture. Join us and enjoy a culture where face-to-face collaboration supports your learning, your progress, and your success. To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers.

Becton, Dickinson and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Becton, Dickinson and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally-protected characteristics.

Primary Work Location & Additional Locations

USA CA - San Diego Bldg A & B Additional Locations Work Shift At BD, we reward, support and develop our associates through our comprehensive Total Rewards program.

Salary or hourly pay ranges

Salary Range Information $129,600.00 - $207,400.00 USD Annual We are the #MakersofPossible Working together, we make products that patients, families and their healthcare professionals rely on. We do this because we are committed to advancing the world of health™. But it takes the imagination and passion of all of us at BD, from manufacturing to marketing, to look at the impossible and find solutions that turn dreams into possibilities with real-life health benefits for people today, tomorrow and beyond. We make this happen, together. We are the makers of possible. Becton, Dickinson and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.