Senior Research 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.

Job Title

Senior Research Engineer

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

This position is based out the Burlington, MA location. In Abbott’s Heart Failure (HF) business, we’re developing solutions to diagnose, monitor and manage heart failure, allowing people to restore their health and get on with their lives.  This role will reside in our Research and Technology (R&T) group, which focuses on early-stage product development and developing advanced infrastructure capabilities.  The group supports both CardioMEMS HF and HeartMate product franchises within the HF business unit.

We are seeking an experienced, high caliber Senior Research Engineer to collaborate with teams in designing and developing complex electro-mechanical medical devices and test equipment to support critical aspects of our product development pipeline.  This position requires an engineer ready to support multiple projects from ideation to initial proof-of-concept, and even transition to development and commercialization.  This engineer will use a wide variety of technical skills and reasoning to design/analyze systems, developing and execute tests (e.g. bench testing, ex vivo and in vivo testing), utilizing advanced simulation tools to model device performance within the cardiovascular system, and document all work accordingly (e.g. design descriptions, memos, protocols, reports etc.).  Excellent interpersonal skills are required for satisfying internal customers (e.g. Marketing, Clinical Engineering, Regulatory, Design Quality, etc.) and external contacts (e.g.  Clinicians, Vendors, Service Providers).  Leadership qualities must include the ability to make critical judgements, communicate effectively to a wide range of stakeholders, and balance attention to detail with big picture business goals.

This individual should bring a level of enthusiasm, positive outlook, and inquisitiveness as they innovate and solve some of the business’s more challenging technical problems in a collaborative team environment.  They should have an affinity to learn and grow as they collaborate and support team members from a wide range of Abbott departments in multiple geographic locations, as well as with suppliers and customers.

What You’ll Work On

• Use a range of analytical techniques/modeling/tools (e.g. first principles, lumped parameter modeling, FEA, etc.) to understand the system/design within the context of the cardiovascular system, optimize performance, and improve design margin / reliability in the context of key performance metrics / requirements.
• Conduct testing ranging from bench to in vivo evaluations to assess tissue and biomaterial interfaces
• Develop test methods and models development ranging from early-stage characterization to formal verification and validation activities
• Ensure the latest tools and best practices are being used to solve problems efficiently while simultaneously minimizing technical risk.
• Collaborate with internal departments and external vendors to source components and design for manufacturability.  This will range from early-stage rapid prototyping to more formalized component procurement under design controls.
• Frequently hold design/progress reviews in a cross functional setting
• Perform root cause analysis when failures are encountered (either in early-stage proof-of-concept or formal product development)
• Gain a detailed understanding of our customers and the product use environments (e.g. clinical use cases, etc.)
• Gain a detailed understanding of the quality and regulatory requirements of Abbott, FDA, and ISO regulations.  Manage projects accordingly within this requirement framework.
• Collaborate with project management to develop and track to schedules.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities, on occasion, as assigned.
• Complies with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, other regulatory requirements, Company policies, operating procedures, processes, and task assignments.  Maintains positive and cooperative communications and collaboration with all levels of employees, customers, contractors, and vendors

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Materials, Mechatronics, Biomedical Engineering, or similar discipline
• 5+ years relevant industry experience (Master’s or Ph.D. and 3+ years would be considered)
• Proven experience in cardiovascular device design and analysis
• Proficiency with mechanical design tools and GD&T (preferably SolidWorks)
• Proficiency in multi-physics simulation packages (ANSYS, ABAQUS, COMSOL)
• Possesses biomaterials experience and knowledgeable in tissue engineering principles
• Strong verbal, visual, and written communications skills.  Ability to effectively communicate across multiple levels in the organization
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and meet deadlines in a timely manner
• Ability to work in a matrixed and geographically diverse business environment
• Ability to travel approximately 5-10%
• Ability to maintain regular and predictable on-site attendance
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional team environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Biomedical Engineering or similar discipline 
• Experience designing and testing Class III medical devices
• Proficiency with FEA (ideally COMSOL and/or Ansys)
• Proficiency with system modeling tools such as Matlab/Simulink, LT Spice, or equivalent
• Proficiency in test system automation software (e.g. LabView, Python, etc.)
• Experience with control systems design and signal processing

Apply Now

*Participants who complete a short wellness assessment qualify for FREE coverage in our HIP PPO medical plan. Free coverage applies in the next calendar year.

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives:  www.abbottbenefits.com

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. 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 X @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

The base pay for this position is $72,700.00 – $145,300.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.