Principal Materials Engineer (Medtronic)

Job Title: Principal Materials Engineer
Company: Medtronic
Location: Mounds View, MN

Manage development of significant, new fatigue test and structural analysis methods for innovative heart valve replacement and repair devices. Using applied mechanics principles, lead the development of device and material level fatigue test methods to characterize structural reliability performance and demonstrate attainment of reliability requirements for pre-clinical evaluation of new device designs. Work in conjunction with product development teams to translate in vivo use condition characterization work into appropriate boundary and load condition information for component structural analyses and device-level test methods. Improve existing in-vitro testing processes, technologies and protocols to meet pre-clinical testing requirements. Provide technical work direction and training to junior engineers and technicians and acts as a technical leader in the group. Position may be filled at a Sr. Prin. Engineering level.

Position Responsibilities

- Interpret customer requirements and direct the definition of performance criteria, alternative approach analyses and the selection of the optimum design approach. Formalize testing and evaluation methodologies/approaches that result in comprehensive reliability testing and analyses of candidate designs using state-of-the-art advanced application of highly specialized technical skills and significant innovation.
- Assume the leadership role in testing lab for development of test protocols and application of technologies to the structural evaluation of new product designs.
- Develop and implement new test techniques to fully address structural integrity of heart valve products. Through in-vitro and in-vivo characterizations, identify and develop appropriate test and analysis methods that reasonably represent expected device physiologic loading conditions. Prepare plans/reports and perform in-vitro testing of valve products and associated structural components.
- Direct completion of specific verification/validation testing and analyses required that satisfy both regulatory and internal Medtronic requirements.
- Serves as organization spokesperson on advanced projects and/or programs. Act as advisor to management and customers on advanced technical research studies and applications.
- Coordinate efforts of other technical personnel from internal or external sources to address areas of structural integrity such as fatigue analysis and fracture mechanics. Coordinate with outside consultants and clinicians to ensure testing and analyses required to fully qualify and verify device designs are appropriately representative of expected use conditions.
- Coordinate the preparation and design of high quality presentation materials and prototypes to define alternative design approaches to management, marketing and clinicians.
- Prepare or direct the preparation of oral and written reports of current status, progress, and terminal status of total project, as required by the customer, project or department management. Ability to put large and complex programs into proper context and to clearly communicate those programs.
- Maintain technical knowledge current with advancing technology related to implantable heart valve products and associated accessories. In order to improve individual overall effectiveness and avoid technical obsolescence, engage in continuing education programs in order to broaden knowledge in selected discipline and to gain knowledge in new fields of engineering, device testing and project leadership.
- Characterize the materials used in valve products by determining thermal/mechanical/chemical test methods appropriate to satisfy regulatory agency and Medtronic requirements.
- Perform required training and certifications to demonstrate compliance with applicable divisional and corporate policies in accordance with individual training matrix.

Basic Qualifications

- Extensive experience with fatigue analysis and fracture mechanics of medical products
- Extensive experience with structural reliability testing and analysis of implantable medical products
- Expertise in fatigue test method development and test method qualification and validation
- CAD system knowledge
- Finite Element Analysis experience
- Experience with the clinical/technical applications of cardiovascular products and human anatomy
- Experience with risk management analysis techniques including Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- Demonstrated PC skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project, etc.)

EDUCATION REQUIRED:
- MS in Mechanical or Materials Science Engineering with a solid foundation in
applied mechanics

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
- 10+ years of relevant engineering experience, with 8+ years of implantable medical device experience

Desired/Preferred Qualifications

- PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science or Solid Mechanics

Physical Job Requirements

Hearing, sight and speaking ability. Sitting, standing and bending ability for extended periods. Able to travel both domestically and internationally. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers.
- Able to lift 25 pounds, Able to view items through microscope, Extended periods of time doing computer-based work

How to Apply

Please click here to apply: http://jobs.medtronic.com/job/7A47BED6-FAB1-4

Source: Mechanical Engineering Jobs at Engineer Jobs.com

This position, Principal Materials Engineer (Medtronic), was posted on February 1, 2012. The employer is Medtronic. Since this job has been published, it has been viewed 37 times.