Principal Engineer, Early Innovation R&D

Johnson & Johnson MedTech Surgery seeks a Principal Engineer to identify and evaluate external surgical innovations, translate clinical needs into system requirements, and advance early-stage technologies through structured feasibility assessment and concept development in the Raritan, NJ location.

Responsibilities

• Identify, assess, and recommend external technologies and partnerships aligned to wound closure and surgical innovation strategy
• Conduct technical due diligence on startups, academic innovations, and collaborations evaluating feasibility, IP, regulatory pathway, and fit
• Develop technology landscapes, competitive intelligence, and evidence summaries across surgical and digital solution spaces
• Translate clinical and customer insights into problem statements, system requirements, and architecture recommendations
• Lead front-end innovation activities from customer discovery through concept generation, feasibility planning, and proof-of-concept execution

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in systems, electrical, mechanical, or biomedical engineering or related discipline
• Minimum 8 years progressive experience in medical device R&D, systems engineering, or electromechanical product development
• Demonstrated experience leading front-end innovation including customer discovery, concept development, and prototype evaluation
• Experience conducting technical due diligence on external technologies and making evidence-based partnership recommendations
• Working knowledge of medical device design controls, systems engineering, risk management, and regulated product development
• Strong ability to communicate complex technical and clinical information to senior leadership