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Medical Device Startup Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Quality Engineer

Alameda, CA ยท On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Previous role at a fast-paced medical device startup. How We Work * We are intentional. We prioritize and are thoughtful about how we use others' time. * We care for others. We prioritize safety both ...

Medical Device R&D Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$115K - $175K/yr

Minimum 5 years of medical device R&D experience * Hands-on catheter prototyping and testing ... Startup and/or small-company experience preferred * Proficiency with SolidWorks including: * 3D ...

Sustaining Engineer

Menlo Park, CA ยท On-site

$90 - $105/hr

A demonstrated desire to work in a small medical device startup. * A willingness to work hard, with a driven outlook and with a strong desire to succeed as an engineer, as a team, and as a company.

Senior Medical Device R&D Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $225K/yr

The ideal candidate is a "do-er" who enjoys hands-on engineering work, thrives in a startup ... Minimum 10 years of medical device R&D experience * Strong working knowledge of ISO 13485 regulated ...

Showing results 21-40

Medical Device Startup information

See California salary details

$21

$36

$69

How much do medical device startup jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for medical device startup in California is $36.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.42 and $45.29 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a medical device startup?

A medical device startup is a company in its early stages that focuses on developing, manufacturing, and bringing innovative medical devices to market. These startups often work on new technologies or improvements to existing devices, aiming to address unmet medical needs or improve patient outcomes. They typically operate in a high-regulation environment and may seek funding from investors, grants, or partnerships to support research, development, and commercialization efforts. Success in this field requires multidisciplinary expertise, including engineering, regulatory affairs, and clinical knowledge.

What are jobs at a medical device startup?

Jobs at a medical device startup include roles in research and development, sales, information technology, software development, and customer service. Working at a medical device startup in research and development, you collaborate with teams to design studies, perform research, and devise training materials for products. Your end goal is to help develop new products. As a sales representative, you promote and sell medical equipment, educate clients on the benefits of products, and respond to questions and concerns. Software and IT jobs at a medical device startup involve responsibilities like troubleshooting technical problems, diagnosing and repairing computer systems, creating databases, evaluating processes, and maintaining and utilizing medical imaging equipment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a medical device startup?

To thrive in a medical device startup, you need a solid background in biomedical engineering, product development, and regulatory compliance, often supported by relevant degrees or experience in healthcare technology. Familiarity with FDA regulations, CAD design software, and project management tools like Jira or Asana is typically required. Strong collaboration, adaptability, and entrepreneurial problem-solving are essential soft skills in this dynamic environment. These skills and qualities are vital for navigating rapid innovation cycles, ensuring regulatory approval, and driving successful product launches in a competitive market.

What are the common challenges faced when working in a medical device startup environment?

Working in a medical device startup often involves navigating a fast-paced, dynamic environment where priorities can shift rapidly. Team members typically wear multiple hats, balancing product development with strict regulatory requirements and limited resources. Collaboration across engineering, clinical, and business teams is essential, as everyone works together to meet ambitious milestones and bring innovative products to market. Despite these challenges, the role provides unique opportunities to make a tangible impact and grow professionally within a close-knit, innovative team.

What is the difference between Medical Device Startup vs Medical Device Engineer?

AspectMedical Device StartupMedical Device Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically requires engineering degree, certifications varyRequires engineering degree, often with specific certifications in biomedical or mechanical engineering
Work EnvironmentFast-paced, innovative startup setting, often small teamsDesign, develop, and test medical devices, usually in corporate or R&D labs
Employer & Industry UsageStartups in medical device industry, early-stage companiesEstablished companies, R&D departments, or startups
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in startups, career optionsJob responsibilities, qualifications, career path

Medical Device Startup roles focus on innovation, product development, and often require versatile skills in a dynamic environment. Medical Device Engineers are specialized professionals responsible for designing and testing devices, typically within established or startup companies. While both roles require engineering credentials, startups emphasize adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit, whereas engineers focus on technical expertise and product quality.

What are the most commonly searched types of Medical Device Startup jobs in California?

The most popular types of Medical Device Startup jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Medical Device Startup jobs?

Cities in California with the most Medical Device Startup job openings:

Infographic showing various Medical Device Startup job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $75,384 per year, or $36.2 per hour.

R&D Manager, Mechanical Design

Neptune Medical

Burlingame, CA โ€ข On-site

$180K - $231K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Neptune Medical, is an innovative, venture capital funded medical device startup headquartered in Burlingame, CA. We have already commercialized novel medical devices using our technology. Now the team at Neptune is building something truly unique: a fully flexible medical robot that enables doctors to reach deep into human anatomy. Triton Robotic Endoscopy will disrupt flexible endoscopy and set a new standard in outcomes for decades to come.
TITLE: R&D Manager, Mechanical Design
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Product Development Manager, Mechanical Design will manage a group of engineers developing the drive mechanism and interface to robotic capital equipment for a novel robotic endoscopy system.
The ideal candidate will act with passion and intensity in a medical device start-up that is fast paced and collaborative and will display the ability to perform to the requirements outlined below. For the right person, this position will be a tremendously exciting and career-defining opportunity, making core contributions to a genuinely new type of medical robotic platform.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Manage 5-7 direct reports, including career development and performance reviews
  • Plan team staffing and recruitment to ensure project success
  • Drive performance and technical requirement development
  • Lead risk management activities
  • Provide project management for device handles development, including defining milestones, cross-functional interdependencies, risks, and opportunities to expedite launch timelines
  • Represent team in updates to senior management
  • Work with NPI to develop processes and device assembly procedures
  • Lead vendor selection activities for tooling, component, and subassembly sourcing
  • Upgrade our manufacturing processes to ensure proper DFM and maximum scalability of our medical devices
  • Initiate and implement programs to continuously improve quality, cost and cycle time
  • Emphasize quality and utilize a risk-driven approach to ensure compliance to risk management policies and practices and ensure GMP.
  • Support company goals and objectives, policies and procedures that comply with FDA Quality System Regulations (QSR), ISO 13485, and any other applicable domestic regulations including Cal FDB, OSHA and Cal-OSHA.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical or Related Engineering
  • 8+ years of work experience
  • 2+ years in technical leadership or management role
  • Demonstrated experience working with cross functional teams
  • Experience developing and launching high volume medical devices
  • Capable with CAD modeling, engineering drawing generation, DFM, tolerance analysis and tooling design
  • Experience creating and managing schedules, budgets, and plans.
  • Solid understanding of design controls and risk management

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Experience managing engineers, technicians, or interns as direct reports
  • Experience with disposables/consumables
  • Experience with design and sourcing high volume injection molded components
  • Developed products from invention to market release
  • Experience in a start-up environment.
  • Proficient with SolidWorks.

Neptune Medical is located in Burlingame, CA, near the Millbrae Caltrain and BART Station
Our job titles may span more than one career level. The starting base salary for this role is between $180,000 and $231,000 depending on experience. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: education, training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role may also be eligible for equity, benefits and 401(K) with matching.
Neptune Medical provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.