Staff Test Engineer

Stryker; Portage (MI); Hybrid; USD 89,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

Stryker in Portage, MI seeks a Staff Test Engineer to lead automation and production test systems for new product introductions. Hybrid role, onsite 4-5 days/week to support collaboration. You will architect systems, guide suppliers, and drive design transfer from R&D to manufacturing.

Required 4+ years in automation, controls, embedded systems; strong PLC/SCADA/HMI experience; proficiency with Python, C#, and Linux; capable of leading cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field is required.
• 4+ years in industrial automation, controls, embedded systems, or manufacturing engineering.
• Experience leading full lifecycle automation and test systems.
• Strong ability to read mechanical, electrical, and system drawings.
• Experience with PLCs, controls engineering, SCADA, HMI, and automated test systems.
• Ability to work with embedded boards, interfaces, and comms (Serial, CAN, HTTP).
• Experience programming Ladder Logic, Python, C#, Linux-based environments.
• Ability to design, validate, and troubleshoot firmware flashing and test tooling.
• Strong problem-solving and cross-functional leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of automation and test systems from requirements to release.
• Define system-level requirements across mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and safety.
• Develop and integrate control software, HMIs, and SCADA.
• Ensure performance, maintainability, reliability, and alignment with manufacturing needs.
• Troubleshoot complex issues and optimize system uptime.

Skills

Industrial automation

Controls engineering

SCADA

HMI development

Embedded systems

Ladder Logic

Python

C#

Linux

Industrial protocols

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

PLCs

CAN/Serial

Industrial protocols

Job description

Stryker is seeking a Staff Test Engineer to join our Advanced Operations team, supporting the Medical Division - Acute Care Business Unit. In this role, you will lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced automation and production test systems for new product introductions. This role is critical to ensuring reliable, scalable, and compliant manufacturing for patient support and patient environment products. You will serve as both a technical owner and a supplier-facing leader, architecting systems internally while guiding external partners to deliver high-quality automation solutions. You will have the opportunity to work on the design transfer of new products from research through development and into production.

This is a hybrid role based out of Portage, MI. The team works onsite 4-5 days per week to support collaboration and project needs.

What you will do:

Automation System Architecture & Development

• Lead the full lifecycle of industrial automation and test systems from requirements, architecture, and design through implementation, validation, and release.
• Define system-level requirements encompassing mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and safety considerations.
• Develop and integrate control software, embedded interfaces, test sequences, and operator interfaces (HMI/SCADA).
• Ensure robust performance, maintainability, reliability, and alignment with design intent and manufacturing needs.
• Troubleshoot complex processes, software, and equipment issues; optimize system performance and uptime.

Supplier & Equipment Vendor Leadership

• Manage automation and equipment suppliers, including capability assessments, technical reviews, process monitoring, and on‑site visits.
• Create clear, comprehensive URS documentation and ensure supplier deliverables meet specifications, regulatory requirements, and Stryker quality standards.
• Lead make/buy analyses, sourcing recommendations, cost and risk evaluations, and supplier selection.
• Support capital equipment sourcing, FAT/SAT execution, and factory commissioning.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership

• Collaborate closely with R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Sourcing, Project Management, and external partners to ensure production readiness.
• Influence technical direction across product teams, challenge assumptions, and advocate for robust, user-centered solutions.
• Communicate progress, issues, and technical strategies to stakeholders at all levels.
• Contribute to engineering best practices, and drive continuous improvement.

What you need:

• Required
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field.
  • 4+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls, embedded systems, or manufacturing engineering.
  • Experience leading full lifecycle of industrial automation and test systems from requirements, architecture, and design through implementation, validation, and release.
  • Strong proficiency reading mechanical, electrical, and system-level drawings.
  • Experience with PLCs, controls engineering, SCADA, HMI development, and automated test systems.
  • Ability to work with embedded boards, interfaces, and communication protocols (Serial, CAN, HTTP, etc.).
  • Experience programming in one or more: Ladder Logic, Python, C#, Linux‑based environments.
  • Ability to design, validate, and troubleshoot firmware flashing and automated test tooling.
  • Strong problem-solving, cross-functional communication, and technical leadership skills.
• Preferred
  • Hands‑on experience with electro‑mechanical assembly, automated test systems, and manufacturing processes.
  • Experience working in FDA‑regulated or similarly regulated industries.
  • Background in R&D, product development, or new product introduction.

$89,300 - $148,800 USD Annual