Distinguished Scientist - Materials, Chemistry and Insulin Infusion

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 19 Aug 2026

At MiniMed, you can begin a lifelong career of exploration and innovation, while helping make a difference in the lives of people living with diabetes around the globe. You'll lead with purpose, breaking down barriers to innovation for a more connected, compassionate world.

About the Role

MiniMed is seeking a highly experienced Distinguished Scientist with specialized expertise in biocompatibility, materials science, and chemistry to advance the development of next-generation medical devices. This leader will provide strategic direction for the biological safety, compatibility, and performance of patient-contacting materials and components, ensuring the delivery of safe, reliable, and innovative infusion technologies and devices.

The Distinguished Scientist serves as a senior technical leader responsible for advancing biocompatibility strategy and materials science innovation for next-generation medical devices, specifically insulin infusion technologies. This role focuses on ensuring the biological safety, compatibility, and performance of materials, coatings, polymers, insulin compatibility and fluid-path chemistries used in infusion sets and related components to improve reliability, extended wear performance and patient comfort.

This individual leads the evaluation and selection of materials with a primary emphasis on biocompatibility, including biological risk assessment, test strategy development, and material characterization for medical device applications. They apply deep expertise in biological evaluation, material-tissue interactions, chemical characterization, extractables/leachables, and device safety requirements to translate scientific research into scalable, regulatory-compliant product solutions. They shape the long-term materials strategy for diabetes infusion platforms while influencing technology roadmaps across the portfolio.

The Distinguished Scientist identifies emerging scientific opportunities and shapes a long-term strategy for biocompatibility and materials integration across the medical device portfolio. This role influences technology roadmaps by ensuring that materials innovation aligns with biological safety expectations, product performance requirements, and global regulatory standards.
As a recognized expert, this leader strengthens the innovation pipeline through scientific leadership, external engagement, and cross-functional influence. They mentor technical talent and foster collaboration across R&D, clinical, regulatory, quality, toxicology, and manufacturing teams to advance safe, effective, and innovative medical device solutions

Impact:
This role serves as a senior technical leader in advancing biocompatibility and materials innovation for next-generation medical devices. The individual will define and lead scientific strategies for the biological safety, compatibility, and performance of materials, coatings, polymers, and component chemistries used in infusion sets and patient-contacting device applications.
Leveraging deep expertise in biocompatibility and materials science, this leader will enable the development of safe, reliable, and scalable solutions that enhance extended wear performance, patient comfort, and overall device reliability. The role will have significant impact on long-term technology strategy, portfolio roadmaps, and product innovation by translating scientific insights into practical, regulatory-compliant medical device solutions that strengthen MiniMed’s competitive position.

Subject Matter Expertise:
Recognized technical expert in biocompatibility, materials science and chemistry for patient-contacting medical devices, with deep knowledge of biological safety evaluation for materials, coatings, polymers, and fluid-path chemistries used in infusion technologies. Brings strong expertise in ISO 10993-based biocompatibility strategy, material and chemical characterization, extractables/ leachables assessment, and evaluation of material interactions affecting extended wear performance, patient comfort, and insulin stability. Apply scientific leadership to translate emerging materials and chemistry innovations into scalable, regulatory-compliant device solutions, while influencing technology strategy, cross-functional decision-making, and portfolio innovation

Responsibilities may include the following and other duties may be assigned.

• Lead biocompatibility strategy, including comprehensive biocompatibility assessments, for materials and components used in MiniMed insulin infusion and medical device technologies.

• Lead materials innovation efforts to enable extended-wear infusion sets and improve long-duration performance in subcutaneous environments.

• Provide technical leadership in material characterization, chemical characterization, and extractables/leachables assessments.

• Evaluate the compatibility of materials, coatings, and fluid-path chemistry with insulin and extended-wear device requirements

• Identify and advance innovative materials solutions that improve safety, reliability, comfort, and product performance.

• Translate early-stage research and emerging scientific opportunities into scalable, manufacturable, and compliant product solutions.

• Partner closely with cross-functional teams including R&D, clinical, regulatory, quality, toxicology, and manufacturing.

• Build and engage in external partnerships with suppliers, universities, research institutes, and contract laboratories to evaluate emerging technologies and accelerate innovation.

• Contribute to scientific leadership and innovation through patents, publications, technical forums, and external engagement.

• Mentor and develop technical talent while strengthening scientific capabilities across the organization.

• Provide oversight for biocompatibility test execution and documentation to ensure alignment with regulatory expectations and good documentation practices

Requirement Qualifications:

Requires a bachelor’s degree and 15 years of experience or a master’s degree and 13 years of experience, or a PhD with at least 10 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master or PhD in Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.

• Master’s degree in science or engineering with a minimum of 13 years of medical device or combination product development experience, or a PhD in Science or Engineering with at least 10 years of relevant experience focused on biomaterials, polymers, or drug–device interface science.

• Strong communication, organizational, presentation, and project leadership skills, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex environment.

• A scientific leader with deep expertise in biocompatibility and materials science for medical devices. The individual brings significant experience in medical devices, combination products, or other regulated healthcare product development, including application of biological evaluation principles, ISO 10993 standards, material and chemical characterization, extractables/leachables, and biological safety assessment for patient-contacting devices.

• Expertise in polymeric materials, coatings, elastomers, or surface chemistry used in fluid delivery or implantable/subcutaneous devices is highly valued.

• Proven ability to translate scientific research into regulatory-compliant product solutions, lead complex cross-functional technical initiatives through influence, and operate effectively in a highly matrixed environment.

• Scientific leadership through patents, publications, or technology commercialization, are essential.

• Experience with infusion technologies, wearable medical devices, or long-term subcutaneous device applications

• Expertise in polymers, coatings, adhesives, and fluid-path materials used in patient-contacting medical devices

• Experience assessing insulin compatibility or drug-material interactions

• Knowledge of global regulatory expectations related to biocompatibility and materials for medical devices

• Ensure materials and device components meet the highest standards of biological safety, technical performance, and patient-centered design

• Track record of innovation demonstrated through patents, publications, and external scientific leadership

• Experience mentoring senior technical staff and influencing portfolio-level technology strategy

• Experience supporting regulatory submissions for medical devices or combination products.

• Previous experience managing teams of scientists is a plus

Physical Job Requirements

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position.

The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.

Benefits & Compensation

MiniMed offers a competitive salary and flexible benefits package

At MiniMed, we put people first. A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values: We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help create. We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every stage of your career and life.

Salary ranges for U.S (excl. PR) locations (USD):$167,000.00 - $285,000.00

For roles located in California, Seattle WA, Washington DC, Boston MA, and New York City, the salary range is $186,000.00 - $316,000.00 USD.

Actual compensation may vary based on factors including experience, education, certifications, skills, market conditions, internal equity, and geographic location. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others).

This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Short Term Incentive (STI).This position is eligible for an annual long-term incentive plan.

At MiniMed, we are committed to supporting the well-being and financial security of our employees. Regular employees working 20 or more hours per week are eligible for a robust benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as access to a Health Savings Account, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, life insurance, long-term disability leave, and a dependent daycare spending account. In addition, all regular employees enjoy incentive plans, a 401(k) plan with company match, short-term disability coverage, paid time off and holidays, participation in our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and access to our Employee Assistance Program. Eligible employees may also benefit from our Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement and Capital Accumulation Plan, subject to IRS minimum earnings requirements. Please note that “regular employees” refers to those who are not temporary staff, such as interns, and some benefits may not apply to employees in Puerto Rico.

For further details about our comprehensive benefits, we encourage you to visit the link below.

MiniMed Benefits Overview

About MiniMed

MiniMed is a full-stack insulin delivery company dedicated to supporting people living with diabetes through every step of their journey — when and how they need it. For more than 40 years, we’ve been committed to redefining what’s possible: intelligent dosing systems designed for real life, predictive insights that stay a step ahead, and always on support when it’s needed most. At the heart of everything we do is a simple Mission: to make every day a better day for people with diabetes.

Learn more about our business, and our mission here .

It is the policy of MiniMed to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, familial status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, MiniMed will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

If you are applying to perform work for MiniMed in any position which will involve performing at least two (2) hours of work on average each week within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, you can find here a list of all material job duties of the specific job position which MiniMed reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. MiniMed will consider for employment qualified job applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.