R & D Staff Engineer I

Description

The R & D Staff Engineer I will work together with surgeons and engineers at Children's National, Sheikh Zayed Institute for Surgical Innovation, to identify clinical needs. Will conceptualize, design, prototype, and test novel devices focused on children. Will need to have strong observation, conceptualization, and design skills and have a passion to develop medical devices to address important clinical needs under the supervision of senior clinicians and engineers. This position will require strong interpersonal and collaboration skills to work within a multidisciplinary team as well as organizational skills to demonstrate ability to handle multiple tasks, timelines, and priorities. Will have hands-on experience with prototype development and system integration.

Qualifications

Minimum Education
B.S. Degree in engineering, computer science, physics, or related technical field. 

Minimum Work Experience
At least 1 - 2 years of applicable experience while enrolled in a BS or MS degree program. 

Required Skills/Knowledge
Experience must demonstrate that the applicant acquired the technical and scientific knowledge, skills, and abilities to apply and utilize them successfully in the research environment appropriate to the position. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to communicate effectively with team members and collaborators. Experience with the selection of approach, materials, methods, and means for implementing or fabricating prototypes in the medical device domain. Consistently demonstrates adherence with the standards for the ethical and responsible conduct of research.

Required Licenses and Certifications
Certifications appropriate to the technical field desired. 

Functional Accountabilities
Conduct of Research

• Maintain confidentiality of data as required.

• Plan, conduct, and manage research projects within the federal and institutional regulations and policies under the direction of the principal investigator.

• Responsible for appropriate use of research funds and resources.

• Comply with all annual job-related training requirements.

Research Management

• Use accepted methods and techniques to solve well-defined problems and perform specific and limited portions of broader projects, under technical guidance of the principal investigator.

• Conduct experiments/tests in the laboratory/field; take measurements and record observations; collect, compile and process data.

• Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members to accomplish organizational goals; may provide ideas to improve efficiency at group level; network primarily within own technical peer group.

• May direct the work of student interns.

• Contribute to a positive team environment.

Development and Design

• Design new devices, systems, and instrumentation based on clinical requirements.

• Develop prototype devices, systems, and instrumentation for the clinical environment.

• Evaluate prototype systems and document performance.

• Provide hands-on development and support from product conception to clinical prototypes.

• Assists in cost-effective management of resource allocations and management of day to day activities

• Works with vendors to procure needed supplies, hardware, and produce prototypes

Project Management

• Assist with planning specific research protocols and procedures.

• Coordinate schedules of tests and procedures.

• Assist in the development and troubleshooting of new techniques and ideas.

• Record results, organize data, and maintain lab notebook in an organized manner.

• Maintain required records, reports, statistics etc.

Equipment Maintenance 

• Maintain laboratory area and equipment.

• Assist in care and maintenance of equipment.

• Order supplies as needed.

• Keep bench and work area tidy.
• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance

Primary Location

: District of Columbia-Washington

Work Locations

:

CN Hospital (Main Campus)

111 Michigan Avenue NW

Washington 20010

Job

: Research

Organization

: Sheikh Zayed Ctr Ped Surg Inno

Position Status : R (Regular)- FT - Full-Time

Shift : Day

Work Schedule : M-F 9a-5:30p

Job Posting

: Jun 12, 2026, 6:02:33 PM

Full-Time Salary Range

: 54516.8-90854.4