Job Overview

We are seeking a senior research and development engineer with experience in product and process design and process optimization for interventional medical devices. This position within the Advanced Engineering Department requires a broad range of R&D skills in a fast-paced dynamic environment. In working on exciting prototyping and advanced engineering projects projects the candidate will have the opportunity to engage with other cross-functional team members towards bringing a product from concept through to commercialization. Based out of our Trenton Lane Minnesota medical facility, the candidate will report to the Sr R&D Engineering Manager.

TE Connectivity’s Advanced Engineering Teams are responsible for early-stage next generation product and process development of minimally invasive catheter products, working closely with the customer to develop working proof-of-concepts.

Job Requirements

• Innovation: Support iterative design builds using both conventional and next-generation equipment, contributing to the development of new technologies, methodologies, and solutions to meet business goals.
• Customer engagement: Build a partnership with customers and support technical content during customer calls and visits.
• Supplier engagement: Partner with external suppliers and vendors, and internal cross-functional teams and suppliers to deliver project goals.
• Troubleshooting: Independent and collaborative problem solving to address technical issues during feasibility and development providing solutions to design and process challenges.
• Process development: Be an integral part of the team tasked with the development of catheter shafts from concept through to new product development project transfer.
• Prototype development and lab maintenance: design and build of catheter-based prototype products for customers and maintain lab documentation and processes.
• Strong design and technical ability based on knowledge of fundamental engineering principles.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Hands on experience with key catheter shaft manufacturing techniques – Braiding, coiling, reflow, thermal and adhesive bonding. Integration of electrical components is an advantage. Experience with laser cutting and welding of metal components is an advantage. Candidate should have a comfort level building catheters that allows them to provide guidance to technicians and junior engineers in standard processes.
• Experience with fixture design and design for manufacturability.
• Understanding of inspection processes and test method development, and ability to generate inspection reports.
• Working knowledge of biocompatible metal and/or polymer materials. Polymer materials science background is an advantage.
• Strong communication skills including verbal and documentation. Candidate will communicate directly with customers as well as with internal cross functional teams across the globe.
• Ability to work with a team and carry out actions in accordance with the project plan and deliver projects through key milestone phases and associated activities.  Experience with a product development stage gate process is an advantage.
• Management of prototype lab responsibilities including ability to review incoming project opportunities and assess for material and process needs, sourcing of materials, upkeep of documentation, co-ordination with other sites and resource planning.
• Experience with engineering tools such as 3D CAD software, DOEs, Minitab, G-coding, Six-Sigma is an advantage.
• Occasional availability to participate in limited travelling to meet with customers

What your background should look like

• BS in Engineering or equivalent degree. 
• 5+ years industry experience, ideally in a Medical R&D environment.

Competencies