Senior Research Associate Jobs in Highlands Ranch, CO

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 24 Aug 2026

Careers that change lives start here. Medtronic is a global leader in healthcare technology with a Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. Our 95,000 employees work across more than 150 countries to put patients first - developing innovative medical technologies that improve the lives of 72+ million patients each year. Your unique talents will help shape the future of healthcare while building a career grounded in purpose, growth, and impact.

A Day in the LifeAs a Senior Strategic Planning Associate for the Surgical Operating Unit, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of Medtronic's global strategy. Reporting to the Strategic Planning Director, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams including senior executives and partners across Marketing, Finance, Sales, R&D, Regulatory, Quality, and Operations. Your work will directly influence high-level decision making and the direction of Medtronic's largest Operating Unit. This role offers unique visibility and the opportunity to make a global impact, driving the next generation of minimally invasive surgery.

As a Senior Strategic Planning Associate for the Surgical Operating Unit, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of Medtronic's global strategy. Reporting to the Strategic Planning Director, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams including senior executives and partners across Marketing, Finance, Sales, R&D, Regulatory, Quality, and Operations. Your work will directly influence high-level decision making and the direction of Medtronic's largest Operating Unit. This role offers unique visibility and the opportunity to make a global impact, driving the next generation of minimally invasive surgery.

A Day in the Life

• Drive and organize robust end-to-end Strategic Planning process across Surgical's business units, regions, and functional partners
• Engage directly with Surgical OU LT to support planning, deployment, and measurement of strategic programs and performance indicators
• Plan, execute, and present analyses influencing leadership decision-making and the strategic direction of the Surgical Operating Unit.
• Support key Senior Leadership discussions (BOD, ExCom, Portfolio QBRs) and manage Surgical Governance mechanisms
• Conduct and present robust analysis in support of Surgical portfolio management, including prioritization, ROI / NPV, and strategic assessment across R&D, Commercial, and functional programs and unfunded opportunities
• Collaborate closely with finance to align and reconcile long-term revenue and P&L planning with strategic objectives
• Ad-hoc strategy work as needed, e.g. product strategy development, M&A support, financial modeling, market and competitive analysis, and leadership presentations
• Global travel up to 30%

Core Skills and Competencies:

• Strong quantitative, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to structure ambiguous problems and synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights and financial models
• Proficiency creating and delivering executive-level presentations
• High degree of intellectual curiosity with a proactive approach to work; focus on achieving measurable outcomes and driving organizational success
• Proven ability to influence and partner effectively across functions, geographies, and levels in a highly matrixed, cross functional environment
• Familiarity with market research, competitive intelligence, and business case development for organic and inorganic growth opportunities

Must Have: Minimum Requirements

Bachelor's degree Required

Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience or advanced degree with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience

Nice to Have:

• Direct experience in management consulting, strategy, business development, or a related strategic role
• Prior experience in medical device industry
• Familiarity with strategic frameworks (e.g., SWOT analysis, Porter's Five Forces)
• Proficiency with analytics systems such as PowerBI and Tableau
• Proficiency with generative AI tools

For Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R. 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) is required.

Physical Job Requirements

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position.

The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: 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. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.

U.S. Work Authorization & Sponsorship

At Medtronic, we are committed to fostering an environment where employees can thrive and make a meaningful impact. In alignment with our enterprise-wide workforce planning approach, U.S. work authorization sponsorship (H-1B, TN, J, etc.) is offered exclusively for Principal-level roles and above, where specialized expertise aligns with long-term business needs. Roles below the Principal level require candidates to possess unrestricted U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and for the duration of employment.

Recruitment Fraud Alert

We are aware of phishing scams targeting job seekers. Please keep the following in mind:

Apply only through official Medtronic channels. All legitimate Medtronic recruiting communications come from approved Medtronic platforms and official @medtronic.com email addresses.

Medtronic will never ask for payment or sensitive personal information (such as bank account or Social Security details) during early stages of the hiring process. Any such requests are not legitimate.

If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from Medtronic, do not respond, click links, or open attachments.

If you have any questions, concerns regarding the authenticity of a communication alleged to have been made by or on behalf of Medtronic, please contact us immediately at AskHR@medtronic.com.

Benefits & Compensation

Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package
A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create. We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage.

Salary ranges for U.S (excl. PR) locations (USD):$102,400.00 - $153,600.00This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP).The base salary range is applicable across the United States, excluding Puerto Rico and specific locations in California. The offered rate complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as experience, certification/education, market conditions, and location. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others).

The following benefits and additional compensation are available to those regular employees who work 20+ hours per week: Health, Dental and vision insurance,Health Savings Account,Healthcare Flexible Spending Account,Life insurance, Long-term disability leave,Dependent daycare spending account,Tuition assistance/reimbursement, andSimple Steps (global well-being program).

The following benefits and additional compensation are available to all regular employees:Incentive plans, 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match,Short-term disability,Paid time off,Paid holidays,Employee Stock Purchase Plan,Employee Assistance Program,Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums), andCapital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums).

Regular employees are those who are not temporary, such as interns. Temporary employees are eligible for paid sick time, as required under applicable state law, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Please note some of the above benefits may not apply to workers in Puerto Rico.

Further details are available at the link below:

Medtronic benefits and compensation plans

It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

If you are applying to perform work for Medtronic, Inc. ("Medtronic") in any position which will involve performing at least two (2) hours of work on average each week within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, you can findhere a list of all material job duties of the specific job position which Medtronic reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. Medtronic will consider for employment qualified job applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.