Senior Product Development Engineer Surgical Robotics – OTTAVA

Johnson & Johnson RAD (Robotics and Digital) is seeking for a Senior Product Development Engineer Surgical Robotics – OTTAVA, for our Santa Clara, Location.

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/ (https://www.jnj.com/.

About MedTech Surgery 

Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we’re developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments. 

Are you passionate about improving and expanding the possibilities of surgery? Ready to join a team that’s reimagining how we heal? Our Surgery team will give you the chance to deliver surgical technologies and solutions to surgeons and healthcare professionals around the world. Your contributions will help effectively treat some of the world’s most prevalent conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Patients are waiting. 

Your unique talents will help patients on their journey to wellness. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/medtech 

Purpose:

Our team of engineers, designers, and technical specialists is at the forefront of innovation in the medical device industry. As a Senior Product Development Engineer, you will play a critical role in the New Product Development (NPD) and New Product Introduction (NPI) pipeline—driving solutions that translate cutting‑edge technology into meaningful improvements in patient care. The Development Engineering team works closely with cross‑functional partners and suppliers to deliver robust component designs and manufacturable processes that meet or exceed all product and regulatory requirements.

In this role, you will serve as a key technical contributor, collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop complex, highly regulated medical devices. Senior‑level expectations include taking ownership of design elements, leading technical problem‑solving efforts, and influencing design decisions across functions. You are expected to apply advanced electrical and mechanical engineering expertise, independently resolve complex technical challenges, and proactively identify risks and opportunities throughout the development lifecycle. Strong communication skills are essential, as this role requires effective collaboration across engineering teams, suppliers, and associated management to drive alignment and execution in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with internal teams and external suppliers to plan, develop, qualify, and stabilize component, equipment, and manufacturing processes for NPD projects.
• Partner with R&D, Manufacturing, and Suppliers to implement robust manufacturing solutions using DFM, DFA, and Design‑to‑Cost principles.
• Conduct tolerance stack-up, GD&T and FEA analysis to ensure designs are robust and manufacturable at volume
• Drive cost‑effective technical solutions through design simplification, material optimization, and process improvements—without compromising quality or performance.
• Support formal design reviews by assessing technical feasibility, manufacturability, and cost trade‑offs to inform design decisions early.
• Serve as the liaison between R&D, Product Management, Quality, Manufacturing, and suppliers, ensuring the voice of manufacturing is embedded in product design.
• Support Design Transfer activities to enable a smooth and compliant transition into manufacturing.
• Apply engineering fundamentals, advanced manufacturing techniques, and statistical analysis to solve complex technical problems and establish new methods and standards.
• Lead or support PFMEAs, process characterization, and control strategies in compliance with GMP requirements.
• Oversee engineering builds and pilot runs, performing root cause analysis and driving corrective actions.
• Manage project deliverables and track component and design changes to minimize impact to assembly and manufacturing operations.

Qualifications:

Education: A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent University degree is required; a focused degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering field or a related field is preferred. An advanced degree, Master’s is preferred.

Required

• Minimum four (4) years of relevant professional work experience
• Engineering experience in either mechanical, electro-mechanical, or opto-mechanical and components or equipment.
• Experience in Design for Manufacturing or Assembly (DFM/A) around injection molding, machining, and optical equipment.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks or Creo) and GD&T per ASME Y14.5
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of cost implications on design requirements, alongside broad engineering knowledge in developing and implementing manufacturing processes that meet or exceed product requirements.
• Experience working closely with external or third-party suppliers.
• Knowledge and demonstrated application of regulated medical device development processes, standards, and guidelines, including but not limited to 21 CFR 820, ISO 13485, ISO 14971, and IEC 60601.
• Measurement Systems Analysis experience (e.g., GR&R).
• Statistical Analysis knowledge (e.g., Design of Experiments (DOE), Process Stability/Control/Capability) and PFMEA.
• Understand equipment concept creation, review approval, build, runoff, FAT, software validation, IQ, OQ, and PQ road map requirements.
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work successfully in a team environment.
• Strong technical communication skills and proven ability to work independently.

Preferred:

• Understanding of regulatory requirements regarding the design, build, and release of medical devices, worldwide
• Experience designing, developing, and testing the manufacturing of electromechanical, fiber, or laser equipment and systems, including test and process development.
• Experience in Cost Engineering: Demonstrated experience in leading cost engineering initiatives, along with a solid track record of managing complex design projects with a focus on financial performance and strategic cost reductions.
• Knowledgeable about medical-specific assembly technologies, the supplier equipment base, and the capabilities of the suppliers.
• Process Excellence Six Sigma knowledge or certification.
• Test methods development (TMD) & Test methods validation (TMV) experience.
• Experience with one or more of the following: laser welding, riveting, laser etching, soldering, pressing, joining, extrusion, over molding, coating, and/or design for assembly experiences.

Other:

• May require up to 30% of domestic and/or international travel to other sites and locations
• The attendance policy required for this role is fully onsite.