Principal Systems Engineer at Abbott Laboratories

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

WORKING AT ABBOTT:

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Free medical coverage for employees* via the Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO
• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

Our Neuromodulation business is a market leader in leveraging mobile, minimally-invasive implantable technologies to help people who suffer from chronic pain and movement disorders. Our chronic pain solutions include the Eterna™ System, Proclaim™ XR SCS System, Proclaim™ DRG Neurostimulator, the only FDA approved DRG therapy, and the IonicRF™ Generator for Radiofrequency Ablation. These non-opioid therapies allow us to provide interventional pain therapy to patients throughout the pain continuum. Our deep brain stimulation technology for progressive diseases help people manage their Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor symptoms, steering away from side effects.

Abbott Neuromodulation develops advanced medical implants and accessories for the stimulus of the nervous system to help patients suffering from chronic pain and motion disorders.  We are on the forefront of implantable device miniaturization and data science for improved patient outcomes.  Through advanced embedded systems and external mobile device apps, we create an ecosystem for developing rapid advancements in the field of neuromodulation through modern data science and analysis.

Our location in Plano, TX currently has an opportunity for Principal Systems Engineer.

The Principal Systems Engineer works independently, applies an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to plan, design, develop and verify a lifecycle balanced system of systems and system solutions. Evaluates customer and/user needs to define and coordinate system performance requirements, integrate technical parameters and assure compatibility of all physical, functional and product interfaces. Leads various analyses to optimize total system of systems architecture, design and requirements. Leads analyses for affordability, safety, reliability, maintainability, testability, human systems integration, MRI Safety, survivability, vulnerability, susceptibility, cybersecurity, regulatory, legal, privacy and other specialties factors for defining the interfaces and interactions between complex components of a Neuromodulation system. Guides the development of planning, organization, implementation and monitoring of requirements, architecture, design, tools, risk, issues, opportunities and the technology readiness assessment processes. Resolves cross-functional organizational and technical issues.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Leads design reviews, development and testing to assess performance against design specification; reliability testing, and assessment of system interactions. 
• Applies advanced engineering and scientific principles to architect and implement a system design that reduces design risk and optimizes design features
• Guides the definition of system requirements, system specifications and input/output process, etc.  Guides analysis of system requirements, user needs, system design, and coordinates system evaluation activities.
• Oversees and guides troubleshooting issues to determine root cause and possible engineering solutions.
• Executes and leads special studies or experiments to improve systems engineering practices, system quality, and define new components, products or processes.
• Guides application of sound, systematic problem-solving methodologies in identifying, prioritizing, communicating, and resolving System level issues.
• Champions continuous improvement of processes and work methodologies by interfacing with peers/cross-functional groups and analyze activities to improve workflow and work processes.
• Promotes collaboration with various Engineering departments/disciplines (e.g., design, test, MRI Safety, software, applied research) through knowledge of the interaction between departments/disciplines and how their products/processes affect one another.
• Champions products and services that meet the highest technical and quality standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies and processes and embrace first-time quality as a way of life – not accepting, creating or passing any defects and speaking up.
• Leads and performs analysis of program technical and cost requirements to develop program affordability goals and objectives. Guides development and analysis of affordability initiatives and opportunities. Develops program affordability metrics data and supporting rationale that leads to sound decisions and quality results.
• Performs tasks independently while effectively utilizing other team members
• Mentors, trains, and leads other engineers
• This is a non-supervisory role

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Biomedical, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Science, Systems Engineering) or related Engineering/Scientific Field (medical device, defense or automotive industry)
• 10 + years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated ability working in systems engineering and familiarity with systems engineering principles (i.e. Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), best practices (INCOSE) and deliverables and statistical data analysis
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to set goals and provide positive and constructive feedback respectfully to build positive relationships and improve business results. Project leadership and management skills
• Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills necessary to develop and maintain smooth, cooperative working relationships with all levels of Management and to drive change across business functions.
• Recognized experience leading design of complex systems and risk analysis
• Demonstrated success in technical proficiency, creativity, and independent thought
• Experience in a highly regulated environment
• Experience implementing various product and process improvement methodologies (e.g. Agile Methodologies, Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing)

• Demonstrated leadership experience with Cross Functional Technical teams with the ability to adapt well to fast-paced environments with changing circumstances, direction, and strategy.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters’ or PhD degree in biomedical, electrical, computer engineering or related field
• 15+ years of experience in R&D development, including the system design and integration of complex multi-discipline systems (medical device, defense or automotive industry).
• 5+ years of experience as a technical lead system engineer
• Prior medical device experience: electro-mechanical, chemical, or biochemical technologies as they pertain to the design, integration, evaluation and commercialization of medical device  systems.                                                                                       
• Experience designing and testing medical devices required, preferably Class III active implantable devices such as interventional cardiology devices. Experience with a variety of manufacturing processes and designing for manufacturability required.
• Experiencing designing medical devices according to compliance standards such as IEC60601 and ISO14708-1
• Hands on experience with diagnostic medical equipment in a laboratory environment

WHAT WE OFFER

At Abbott, you can have a good job that can grow into a great career. We offer:

• Training and career development, with onboarding programs for new employees and tuition assistance
• Financial security through competitive compensation, incentives and retirement plans
• Health care and well-being programs including medical, dental, vision, wellness and occupational health programs
• Paid time off
• 401(k) retirement savings with a generous company match
• The stability of a company with a record of strong financial performance and history of being actively involved in local communities

Learn more about our benefits that add real value to your life to help you live fully: http://www.abbottbenefits.com/pages/candidate.aspx

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that provides the growth and strength to build your future. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity. Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

The base pay for this position is $125,300.00 – $250,700.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.