Principal Research & Development Engineer (Medical Devices)

Location: Remote within the United States; based within the hirify.global Spine Hub in San Diego, California. Domestic travel of approximately 1–2 days per month is expected for customer engagements, testing, cadaver labs, and project needs.

Salary: $131,200–$196,800 USD annually, excluding Puerto Rico and certain California locations.

Company

hirify.global develops healthcare technologies, including spinal implants, instrumentation, navigation, biologics, and related surgical solutions.

What you will do

• Lead the design and development of spinal implant and instrumentation systems from concept through market release.
• Translate customer and surgeon insights into stakeholder requirements, system requirements, design specifications, and engineering concepts.
• Develop mechanical designs using 3D CAD tools and apply engineering drawing and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing standards.
• Assess and mitigate technical risks through design reviews, testing, analysis, and structured development activities.
• Plan and execute verification, validation, bench testing, and experimental evaluations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, suppliers, consultants, and clinical stakeholders while mentoring less experienced engineers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with at least 7 years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree with at least 5 years, or a PhD with 3 years of engineering design and product development experience.
• At least 2 years of medical-device experience in spine, trauma, orthopedics, or dental applications.
• Proficiency with Creo, SolidWorks, or a comparable 3D CAD platform.
• Experience creating engineering drawings, applying GD&T, and performing tolerance stack analyses.
• Experience designing surgical instruments in a regulated product-development environment.
• Experience working with FDA, ISO, and Quality System Regulation requirements.

Nice to have

• Master of Science degree in Engineering.
• Experience with systems engineering, requirements traceability, verification, and validation.
• Knowledge of spinal anatomy, surgical procedures, and spinal technologies.
• Experience with Agile tools, Windchill, machining, additive manufacturing, and rapid prototyping.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time regular employment with health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with employer contribution and match, paid time off, and paid holidays.
• Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, life insurance, and disability benefits.
• Tuition assistance, employee stock purchase plan, employee assistance program, and incentive plans.
• Eligible for the hirify.global Incentive Plan and U.S. work authorization sponsorship because this is a Principal-level role.