Senior Mechanical Engineer – Robotics R&D

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 jnj.com

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Job Function:

R&D Product Development

Job Sub Function:

R&D Mechanical Engineering

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Santa Clara, California, United States of America

Job Description:

The Robotics and Digital solutions (RAD) group, part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, is recruiting for a Senior Mechanical Engineer – Robotics R&D for the Ottava R&D Team. This position is located in Santa Clara, CA.

What We Do:

The Ottava R&D team envisions a future for robotic intervention that is targeted, minimally invasive, and personalized. Building upon a deep understanding of patient and physician needs, we are developing a platform for the next evolution of soft-tissue robotic care.

Who We Are:

We are a team of mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, robotic controls, software, and clinical engineers who are passionate about improving patient care. The team includes a wide range of experience levels from junior engineers to industry experts. We follow an iterative design approach to product development that requires us to collaborate closely across clinical, capital hardware, and instruments & accessories teams. We value autonomy and empower each other to take action while remaining a supportive and closely knit team. We take pride in our culture and are committed to building an environment that is inclusive and promotes diversity of thought through varied experiences and backgrounds.

You:

We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and development of complex mechanical and electromechanical components for a regulated medical device product. This role will own hardware from early concept through verification and into production, contributing to the development of high‑reliability systems used in a clinical environment.

The Senior Mechanical Engineer is expected to provide technical leadership, make sound engineering tradeoffs, and collaborate closely with cross‑functional partners including systems, electrical, software, quality, manufacturing, and regulatory teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead mechanical design efforts from concept generation through detailed design and production release.

• Design precision mechanical assemblies including structural components, mechanisms, and electromechanical interfaces.

• Develop motorized and sensor‑integrated mechanisms in collaboration with electrical and software engineers.

• Perform tolerance analysis, material selection, and design for manufacturability and assembly (DFM/DFA).

• Own subsystem‑level design verification and validation activities.

• Plan and execute prototype builds, testing, failure analysis, and design iteration.

• Author and review design documentation in compliance with medical device quality system requirements.

• Participate in technical design reviews, risk assessments, and root cause investigations

• Support manufacturing transfer, supplier engagement, and resolution of production issues.

• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to raising overall engineering rigor.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge/Skills, Education, And Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

• 6+ years of industry experience in mechanical product development.

• Proven experience designing complex mechanical or electromechanical systems.

• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent).

• Experience taking designs from concept through verification and into production.

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a hands‑on engineering approach.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Knowledge/Skills, Education, And Experience:

• Experience working in regulated industries such as medical devices, aerospace, or automotive.

• Familiarity with FDA design controls, ISO 13485, or similar quality systems.

• Experience with motorized mechanisms, sensors, or mechatronic assemblies.

• Hands‑on experience with prototype builds, testing, and debugging.

• Experience supporting early manufacturing and design transfer.

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

Robotics and Digital Solutions, is part of Johnson & Johnson Med Tech. At Johnson & Johnson Robotics and Digital Solutions, we’re changing the trajectory of health for humanity, using robotics to enhance healthcare providers’ abilities and improve patients’ diagnoses, treatments, and recovery times. Johnson & Johnson Robotics was established in 2020 with the integration of Auris Health, Verb Surgical, C-SATS, and Ethicon. It comprises three key med-tech platforms: Flexible Robotics (MONARCH®), Surgical Robotics (OTTAVA™), and Digital Solutions. Join our collaborative teams in the Bay Area (Santa Clara) and Cincinnati. You’ll collaborate on breakthrough medical technologies that unite multiple subject areas to build a connected digital ecosystem that advances medical professionals’ skills and improves patient outcomes.

The anticipated base pay range for this position is $125,000.00 to $201,250.00 

The Company maintains highly competitive, performance-based compensation programs.  Under current guidelines, this position is eligible for an annual performance bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan.  The annual performance bonus is a cash bonus intended to provide an incentive to achieve annual targeted results by rewarding for individual and the corporation’s performance over a calendar/performance year.  Bonuses are awarded at the Company’s discretion on an individual basis.

Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance.

Employees may be eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).

This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program.

Employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:

• Vacation – up to 120 hours per calendar year

• Sick time - up to 40 hours per calendar year

• Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays – up to 13 days per calendar year

• Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year

For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to:  https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. 

Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants’ needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation,  external applicants please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers . internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

Required Skills:

 

 

Preferred Skills:

Business Case Modeling, Coaching, Critical Thinking, Design Thinking, Feasibility Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Problem Solving, Process Oriented, Product Design, Product Development, Project Management Methodology (PMM), Project Support, Research and Development, SAP Product Lifecycle Management, Technical Credibility, Technical Writing, Technologically Savvy

 

 

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$125,000.00 - $201,250.00

Additional Description for Pay Transparency: