Director R&D Engineer Medical Device Jobs in California

Synchron

Synchron’s vision is to build non-surgical brain–computer interfaces at global scale that protect the fundamental human rights of freedom of expression and autonomy. Our first mission is to develop motor decoders that restore the ability of 15 million people with paralysis to interact with the digital world. Our second mission is to develop whole-brain cognitive decoders that enable hundreds of millions of people with cognitive decline to preserve and expand their agency as cognition changes over time. In pursuing these goals, we aim not only to help humans flourish, but also to drive fundamental discoveries in human intelligence. Our team operates at the intersection of healthcare and technology, translating breakthrough research into real-world, safety-critical systems.

Senior R & D Engineer, Mechanical/Biomedical Engineering

Stentrode Kit Team

Location: San Diego, CA (On-site)

Employment Type: Full-time

About the Role

We are seeking a R&D Engineer to integrate with a highly productive and experienced team to the design of Synchron’s Stentrode. This individual will serve as a senior technical contributor for the Stentrode’s mechanical design, driving device performance, deliverability, and manufacturability from development through pivotal trials of a novel, next generation system.

This is a deeply technical, hands-on role requiring fluency across medical device design, neurovascular anatomy, and electro-mechanical integration. The successful candidate will balance bench-level design iteration with system-level architectural thinking as the Stentrode scales toward commercial production

Key Responsibilities

Stentrode Design

• Drive the mechanical design and performance of the Stentrode, including lead body, electro-mechanical connections, and system interfaces.
• Define and refine Stentrode mechanical and electrical performance (welding, reflow, bonding, over-molding) to ensure long-term signal fidelity and mechanical reliability.

• Collaborate with wider design team to ensure adequate system performance, including signal fidelity and deployment mechanisms for endovascular navigation to the region of interest.

Testing and Biocompatibility

• Define and execute mechanical performance test methods including fatigue life, tensile pull, trackability, deployment force, and simulated-use testing.
• Collaborate with biocompatibility and quality teams on material selection, ISO 10993 testing strategy, and chronic implant performance.
• Design accelerated fatigue and durability test protocols for the Stentrode under pulsatile and chronic loading conditions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with the IRTU team to ensure mechanical and electrical compatibility at the Stentrode–IRTU interface
• Collaborate with neurosurgeons, interventional neuroradiologists, and clinical teams to incorporate procedural feedback into device design
• Work with wider R&D team on end-to-end requirements flow down from clinical use scenarios to component specifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline
• 5+ years of experience in design and development of endovascular or catheter-based medical devices
• Expertise in medical device design, including stent or implant geometry, and fatigue characterization
• Proficiency with 3D CAD (SolidWorks or equivalent)

• Demonstrated ability to take implant systems from concept through design verification and into manufacturing transfer

Preferred Qualifications

• Neuromodulation or cardiovascular pacing device experience (lead design and development)

• Experience with electrode or sensor integration on implantable platforms
• Experience supporting IDE or PMA regulatory submissions for Class III neurovascular devices
• Track record of close collaboration with interventionalists or neurosurgeons during iterative device development

Compensation

The base salary range for this role is $140,000 – $160,000 depending on experience, skills, and qualifications.

In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or equity grants, subject to board approval and company policy.

Visa Sponsorship

We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position at this time.

Benefits (for W-2, full-time, exempt employees in the US only) ***Intern positions not eligible

• Subsidized medical and dental insurance coverage for you and your dependent(s)
• Life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability
• 401k
• Discretionary unlimited PTO
• Flexible Spending Account for you and your dependent(s), with eligible plan elections
• Commuter benefits for NY employees

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

Synchron is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know.

Join Us

At Synchron, you will be part of a transformative mission and you will work alongside driven people who believe in the power of collaboration and innovation to make a lasting impact. If you are excited to stretch your skills and contribute to something meaningful, apply now and build the future with us.