Director, Systems Engineering

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit. Job Function: R&D Product Development Job Sub Function: Multi-Family R&D Product Development Job Category: People Leader All Job Posting Locations: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America Job Description: About Surgery: Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we’re developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments. Are you passionate about improving and expanding the possibilities of surgery? Ready to join a team that’s reimagining how we heal? Our Surgery team will give you the chance to deliver surgical technologies and solutions to surgeons and healthcare professionals around the world. Your contributions will help effectively treat some of the world’s most prevalent conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Patients are waiting. Your unique talents will help patients on their journey to wellness. Learn more at We are searching for the best talent for a Director, Systems Engineering . This role will be based in Cincinnati, OH and will work a Flex/Hybrid schedule. Relocation assistance may be available on a case‑by‑case basis and if approved by the business. This leader is responsible for all Lead Systems Engineers owning New Product Development (NPD) and Lifecycle Engineering programs, ensuring robust technical solutions, multi‑functional alignment, and delivery of safe, effective, and innovative medical devices. The role serves as the primary steward of systems engineering best practices, driving technical excellence, requirements rigor, risk management, verification and validation, and design integration across the full product lifecycle. Systems Engineering Responsibilities Leadership & Strategy: Provide strategic direction for systems engineering across product lines, ensuring alignment with business goals, product roadmaps, and platform strategies. Lead mentor and develop team of high‑performing Lead Systems Engineers. The Lead Systems engineers are responsible for delivering overall technical strategy, high‑level architecture, and integration of complex electromechanical and energy‑based medical products. They will collaborate with Functional Engineers, from the Hardware Engineering group, and Managers, from the Product and Portfolio Management group, to ensure the product value proposition is delivered per business expectations. Shape and execute strategy across the Endomechanical and Energy portfolio. Establish and champion systems engineering methodologies, including model‑based systems engineering (MBSE), requirements management, design integration, and verification strategies. Serve as a key technical leader within the R&D organization collaborating with Product and Portfolio Management, Hardware and Development Engineering, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Quality and Pre‑Clinical leaders to ensure on‑time/on‑budget delivery of products. Drive alignment between R&D and Supply Chain to ensure product scalability and robust design transfer. Systems Architecture & Technical Ownership: Accountable for system‑level architecture of complex electromechanical and energy‑based medical devices, ensuring cohesive and scalable design solutions. Partner with upstream marketing, clinical engineering, and Front‑End R&D to translate user needs and clinical insights into system requirements. Oversee the development and flow‑down of system requirements, interface specifications, risk analyses, and verification/validation plans. Provide expert technical guidance to resolve system‑level tradeoffs, integration challenges, and design risks. Ensure technical consistency and design traceability across subsystems including mechanical, electrical, firmware, software, energy delivery, and human factors. Program Execution & Governance: Own systems engineering support for New Product Development (NPD) programs from concept through commercialization. Guide lifecycle engineering efforts including cost‑reduction, reliability improvement, sustaining engineering, and post‑market design changes. DRI for building capabilities, talent development and succession planning within the department. Own key functional responsibilities of budget management and resource planning for the department. Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Establish and maintain best‑in‑class systems engineering tools, processes, and templates. Drive innovation in system design, architecture modularity, and platform development. Promote a culture of technical and design excellence, and data‑driven decision‑making across the R&D organization. Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field. Experience and Skills: Required: 12 years of R&D experience in medical devices or other high‑regulation, complex system environments. Strong background in electromechanical systems, energy‑delivery technologies, surgical devices, or related domains. 5+ year of direct people leadership. Consistent track record to lead a team of individual leaders to achieve business goals. Deep expertise in systems engineering principles, including requirements development, design integration, risk management, and design controls. Experience leading NPD programs from concept through launch and Life Cycle Engineering teams. Thorough knowledge of systems engineering practices for electromechanical products. Demonstrated willingness to proactively take on technical leadership and own ambiguous and challenging issues. Demonstrated ability to think analytically, solve problems, and influence decision makers across the organization. Thrive in a fast‑paced, constantly evolving environment with multiple priorities. Outstanding written, oral, and presentation communications skills for use within the team and for communicating with partners and leadership. Ability to work effectively in a large, complex team with members of varied backgrounds and levels of experience. Preferred: Experience developing medical devices within FDA, ISO, and IEC requirements and guidelines including risk analysis and quality assurance. Demonstrated success improving engineering processes and organizational capability. Certifications: Project Management (e.g., PMP or equivalent), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, Systems Engineering certification (e.g., INCOSE ASEP, CSEP, or ESEP). Other: Travel less than 25% domestic and international. Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section503 of the Rehabilitation Act. Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants’ needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, please contact us via or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource. Required Skills Creating Purpose, Developing Others, Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Leadership, Leadership, Operations Management, Process Improvements, Product Development, Product Development Lifecycle, Product Strategies, Program Management, Quality Assurance (QA), Research and Development, Research Ethics, SAP Product Lifecycle Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Technical Credibility, Versatility The anticipated base pay range for this position is: $164,000.00 - $282,900.00 Additional Description for Pay Transparency: Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)). For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long‑term incentive program. Vacation – 120 hours per calendar year Sick time – 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays – 13 days per calendar year Work, Personal and Family Time – up to 40 hours per calendar year Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52‑week rolling period; 10 days Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year Military Spouse Time‑Off – 80 hours per calendar year #J-18808-Ljbffr