Job Details

Senior Principal Engineer

Position Number: 6942729
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Position Type: Engineering - Other Engineering

Senior Principal Engineer

Job Summary

Join a world-class academic orthopaedic team dedicated to shaping the future of patient care through medical device innovation. As Principal Biomedical Engineer, you'll collaborate with visionary clinicians, researchers, engineers, and manufacturing experts to design and translate cutting-edge technologies into real-world clinical solutions. Work in a state-of-the-art facility equipped with advanced technical resources and supported by a culture that values creativity, collaboration, and impact.

This is a rare opportunity to pursue your professional passion in a role that rewards both innovation and balance-where career achievement meets quality of life in the beautiful Intermountain West offering extraordinary outdoor opportunities.

Approximately 75% professional work and 25% managerial work. Design and develop commercial ready orthopaedic medical device systems. Utilize advanced knowledge of engineering and health sciences to design orthopaedic implants, instruments, and non-surgical medical devices. Conduct activities in compliance with FDA QSR's and ISO 13485. Ideate and develop concepts, develop SolidWorks CAD models and drawings, conduct engineering analyses, develop test protocols, conduct product testing, write test reports, conduct risk analyses, perform product benchmarking, develop cost of goods or cost of services, develop product packaging and container systems, develop validated product reprocessing and terminal sterilization procedures, conduct design reviews, support regulatory submissions, manage and report on projects, create design history files. Oversee projects and provide part-time management of professionals.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.

Responsibilities
This job will be approximately 75% professional work and 25% managerial work.

Professional Job Responsibilities:
Design and medical devices. Utilize advanced knowledge of engineering and health sciences to design implants, surgical instruments, and other diagnostic and therapeutic devices. Conduct product testing and create models and prototypes to ensure product performs as designed. Determine design specifications, conduct feasibility assessments and perform failure analysis studies. Create and interpret technical drawings and schematics. Utilize drafting tools or computer-aided design (CAD)/drafting equipment and software in design work. Manage project schedules and budgets. Perform clinical and preclinical assessments. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, or related scientific field. Recognized as expert in field. Requires highly specialized skill set. Influence best practices within discipline. Conducts the most complex and vital work, unsupervised and with complete latitude for independent judgment

Managerial Job Responsibilities:
Oversee the development of medical devices. Develop processes, policies, and procedures and ensure all engineering projects align with the organization's objectives. Collaborate with other engineering disciplines, leadership, and related departments as necessary to determine engineering feasibility, cost effectiveness, and demand for medical devices. Manage engineering verification activities to ensure product deliverables are met on-time and conform to specifications. Advise leadership and other impacted departments on product or design changes which may affect profit, schedule, cost, or client relationships. Manage the activities of professional staff. Responsible for participating in hiring, firing, performance appraisals, and pay reviews. Broad knowledge of the field with proven leadership skills.

Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:
Medical Device & Equipment Engineer, V: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 10 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related work experience.
Medical Device & Equipment Engineer, VI: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 12 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 10 years of directly related work experience.
Medical Device & Equipment Engineer, VII: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 14 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 12 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences
Multiple successes bringing biomedical devices, processes or systems from concept to actual use
Highly proficient in CAD model and drawing creation
Highly proficient in design verification and validation activities
Expertise in applicable anatomy and physiology
Expertise in multiple biomedical product / process / system areas
Highly proficient in applying engineering science and technology knowledge
Proficient use of statistical methods
Highly efficient in the management of resources
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Excellent project management skills
Effective at contributing to intellectual property portfolios
Depth of knowledge with applicable regulatory and quality requirements (e.g., FDA 21 CFR 820 and ISO 13485)
Flexibility, persistence, resourcefulness, and a drive to succeed

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN44310B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: 8am - 5pm, M-F
Department: 00269 - Orthopedic Surgery Operations
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $140,000-$190,000
Close Date: 2/26/2026
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/196773