Principal Mechanical Engineer Metals and Materials
Core
Develop and optimize high-performance metallic materials, surface treatments, and manufacturing processes for robotic surgical instruments to ensure reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Role type
Principal Mechanical Engineer (Metals & Materials)
Builds
Robotic surgical instruments (da Vinci Surgical System) for minimally invasive surgery
Domain
Medical devices / Robotics / Materials Science
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work
Required skills
metallurgy of high-performance alloys, failure analysis and fracture mechanics, metallographic characterization, manufacturing processes for metals (MIM, forging, laser welding), regulatory compliance (FDA, ISO 13485), risk analysis, technical mentorship
Preferred skills
medical device product development, CAD design (SolidWorks), reprocessing and sterilization effects, reliability modeling (Weibull), computational materials tools (FEA), robotic surgical instrument architecture, high-performance plastics (PEEK, PEI, PPSU)
Technologies
SEM, EDS, XRD, SolidWorks, FEA
Responsibilities
Evaluate and qualify metallic materials for instrument designs, lead studies on wear mechanisms and surface interactions, conduct failure analysis on field returns, develop surface treatment and coating processes, design material characterization test protocols, optimize manufacturing processes, collaborate on cross-functional product lines, develop simulation methodologies for material behavior, perform risk analysis for regulatory approval, mentor engineering staff, resolve field and manufacturing issues, contribute to patent development
Seniority
Principal, hands-on IC with strategic oversight
