Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer, Robotics & Test Systems

About the role

Medtronic is seeking a Senior Principal Mechanical Design Engineer for its Robotics Capital & Test Systems team in Galway, Ireland. This is a senior individual-contributor role providing technical leadership for the design and development of the physical infrastructure used to characterise, verify and validate advanced medical devices and robotic systems. It combines machine-design expertise with hands-on engineering to deliver robust fixtures, mechanisms, actuators, load-application systems, instrument interfaces, mounting structures and capital-equipment adaptations.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of capital equipment and test systems for instrument performance testing, characterisation, identification, verification and engineering investigations.
• Design precision fixtures, mechanisms, actuators, load frames, load-application devices, instrument interfaces, mounting structures, guarding and capital-side adaptations.
• Translate test objectives and system requirements into mechanical architectures and detailed equipment specifications.
• Create and review 3D models, assemblies, drawings, bills of materials and design documentation using SolidWorks and Creo.
• Integrate mechanical systems with motors, sensors, data-acquisition hardware, controls, electrical cabinets, safety circuits and software interfaces.
• Perform engineering analysis including tolerance stack-ups, motor and transmission sizing, structural analysis and finite element analysis.
• Lead concept generation, prototyping, detailed design, design reviews, build, commissioning, verification, troubleshooting and release of test equipment.
• Ensure controlled, repeatable and traceable application of force, torque, displacement and velocity, and embed machine safety, ergonomics, guarding and risk reduction.
• Collaborate with test, systems, electrical, controls, software, quality, manufacturing, facilities and external suppliers, and lead technical problem solving and root-cause investigations.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline with 10+ years of relevant experience, or a Master's/advanced degree with 8+ years.
• Demonstrated senior-level experience in machine design, capital equipment, automation equipment, test systems or special-purpose machinery.
• Proven hands-on use of SolidWorks and/or Creo for 3D modelling, large assemblies, drawings and design documentation.
• Experience selecting and sizing motors, gearboxes, linear actuators, bearings, guides, transmissions, load cells and other sensors.
• Experience integrating mechanical equipment with electrical, controls, software, data-acquisition and systems-engineering interfaces.
• Ability to lead complex technical decisions, design reviews and multidisciplinary problem solving; strong communication, collaboration, leadership and mentoring skills.
• Experience with machine safety, risk assessment, guarding, ergonomics, commissioning, calibration and preventive maintenance is desirable; experience in medical devices, robotics, regulated product development or high-reliability test environments is advantageous.

Required skills

• SolidWorks and/or Creo
• Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, tolerance analysis and tolerance stack-ups
• Structural design, mechanism and actuator selection, bearings and guides, materials and fastening
• Finite element analysis and structural analysis

What we offer

• Salary range in Ireland of 94,720 to 142,080 EUR, depending on experience, skills and qualifications.
• Eligibility for the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP).
• A wide range of benefits and resources supporting employees at every career and life stage.