Staff Advanced Manufacturing Automation/Software Engineer

Stryker is seeking a Staff Advanced Manufacturing, Automation/Software Engineer to join our Advanced Operations team, supporting the Medical Division - Acute Care Business Unit. In this role, you will lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced automation and production test systems for new product introductions. This role is critical to ensuring reliable, scalable, and compliant manufacturing for patient support and patient environment products. You will serve as both a technical owner and a supplier-facing leader, architecting systems internally while guiding external partners to deliver high‑quality automation solutions. You will have the opportunity to work on the design transfer of new products from research through development and into production.

This is a hybrid role based out of Portage, MI. The team works onsite 4-5 days per week to support collaboration and project needs.

What you will do:

Automation System Architecture & Development

• Lead the full lifecycle of industrial automation and test systems from requirements, architecture, and design through implementation, validation, and release.
• Define system-level requirements encompassing mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and safety considerations.
• Develop and integrate control software, embedded interfaces, test sequences, and operator interfaces (HMI/SCADA).
• Ensure robust performance, maintainability, reliability, and alignment with design intent and manufacturing needs.
• Troubleshoot complex processes, software, and equipment issues; optimize system performance and uptime.

Supplier & Equipment Vendor Leadership

• Manage automation and equipment suppliers, including capability assessments, technical reviews, process monitoring, and on‑site visits.
• Create clear, comprehensive URS documentation and ensure supplier deliverables meet specifications, regulatory requirements, and Stryker quality standards.
• Lead make/buy analyses, sourcing recommendations, cost and risk evaluations, and supplier selection.
• Support capital equipment sourcing, FAT/SAT execution, and factory commissioning.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership

• Collaborate closely with R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Sourcing, Project Management, and external partners to ensure production readiness.
• Influence technical direction across product teams, challenge assumptions, and advocate for robust, user-centered solutions.
• Communicate progress, issues, and technical strategies to stakeholders at all levels.
• Contribute to engineering best practices, and drive continuous improvement.

What you need:

• Required
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field.
  • 4+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls, embedded systems, or manufacturing engineering.
  • Experience leading full lifecycle of industrial automation and test systems from requirements, architecture, and design through implementation, validation, and release.
  • Strong proficiency reading mechanical, electrical, and system-level drawings.
  • Experience with PLCs, controls engineering, SCADA, HMI development, and automated test systems.
  • Ability to work with embedded boards, interfaces, and communication protocols (Serial, CAN, etc.).
  • Experience programming in one or more: Ladder Logic, Python, C#, Linux‑based environments.
  • Ability to design, validate, and troubleshoot firmware flashing and automated test tooling.
  • Strong problem-solving, cross-functional communication, and technical leadership skills.
• Preferred
  • Hands-on experience with electro-mechanical assembly, automated test systems, and manufacturing processes.
  • Experience working in FDA‑regulated or similarly regulated industries.
  • Background in R&D, product development, or new product introduction.

$89,300 - $148,800 USD Annual