Medical Device Project Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Principal Scientist - Device Technical and Engineering Lead (Director Equivalent)

Our company's Device Product & Process Development (DPPD) Team designs, develops, and commercializes novel biologic/drug/vaccine-device enabled combination products to achieve safe and effective delivery to their intended site of action. The DPPD Team manages the development of the device constituent of our company's pipeline of combination products across a variety of therapy areas and routes of administration including inhalation, implantation, and injection.

This position will be responsible for applying knowledge of product and process development in the (bio)pharmaceutical and/or medical device industries to set tactical and strategic direction on programs they lead to ensure high quality products and robust manufacturing processes. This position interacts extensively with subject‑matter experts on the DPPD team and members of internal cross‑functional product development teams from concept through product launch. Additionally, the position will ensure products and processes are developed in accordance with applicable regulatory, quality, company, and customer requirements.

This position will lead cross‑functional development teams within and external to Device Development & Technology. The incumbent must be able to work well with all levels of employees and effectively coordinate execution of device development strategies. The individual will apply knowledge of product design and development, manufacturing process development, qualification, validation, design control, risk management, to support and influence clinical and commercial combination product development and launches.

• Lead the cross‑functional Device Working Groups to ensure full integration of the device development activities with the clinical, regulatory, formulation, commercial and other key company functions.
• Lead the Device Development Engineering Core teams focused on development of design requirements for the combination product and engineering execution against the established requirements.
• Represent Device Development and the project‑specific Device Working Groups on cross‑functional teams, including the Development and Commercialization Team (DCT). Maintain engagement with Early Development Teams (EDT) and Product Development Teams (PDT).
• Serve as key point‑of‑contact with potential external device designers, developers, and suppliers for selected device technology platforms.
• Oversee and serve as a technical integrator of all device development activities including engineering design, engineering analysis and testing, medical device design controls, risk management, test method/fixture development, design verification and validation, injection molding, automated assembly, and human factors analysis.
• Proactively anticipate and resolve project obstacles and effectively communicate complex product technical challenges, device development strategy, timelines, milestones, and risks within the company and with external suppliers.
• Author and review relevant portions of regulatory submissions (INDs, IMPDs, NDAs, BLAs, etc.) for combination product programs under your leadership.
• Lead/support/oversee clinical supplies production with respect to device component manufacture and final assembly of biologic/drug product with device constituent part.
• Lead/support the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Device Development and Device Project Leader processes, procedures, and tools.
• Maintain a high level of engagement in the program‑specific design controls process and design history file development.

• Stay current with new device technologies, relevant worldwide regulations, standards, and effectively share this knowledge with others.
• Enhance the Company's professional image and competitive advantage through publications, presentations, patents, and professional activities.

• B.A./B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, or other types of engineering plus a minimum of 10 years of combined experience in medical device and combination product development. Advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of leadership experience with deep working knowledge of device, biologic/drug product, and process development including regulatory submission and approval processes. Including development drug‑device combination product or a medical device component of a combination product.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing complex device or combination product development programs and leading cross‑disciplinary project teams.
• Broad knowledge of medical device development, design controls and risk management, alongside deep knowledge in device design, requirement management, design verification, automation/process development, design validation, and control strategy.
• Knowledge of U.S. and global medical device and healthcare regulations, including FDA combination products cGMP, Quality System Regulation, FDA Human Factors guidance, ISO 14971, 11608 and 11040, EN 62366, Council Directive 93/42/EEC, etc.
• Proven track record of applying analytical skills in product design, development, and validation.
• Self‑motivated with ability to work independently.
• Proven ability to lead team members of diverse skill sets and backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a strategic thinker; able to influence without formal authority; ability to influence and present ideas to senior leadership.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, project management, and organizational skills.
• Experience with leading complex development projects at an enterprise level.
• Willingness to travel.
• Ability to multi‑task continuously.

• Biomedical Engineering
• Combination Products
• Communication
• Computer Science
• Cross‑Functional Communications
• Design Controls
• Detail‑Oriented
• Device Development
• Extensive Traveling
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
• Human Factor Engineering
• Injection Moldings
• Machine Learning (ML)
• Manufacturing Processes
• Mechanical Testing
• Medical Device Management
• Medical Device Quality Systems
• Medical Device Regulations
• Medical Devices
• Medical Devices Design
• Process Development Engineering
• Process Manufacturing
• Process Development Engineering
• Product Design
• Production Process Development

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic

VISA Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit the EEOC website.

Salary Range: $153,800.00 - $242,200.00. The salary range for this role is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. A successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.