Staff R&D Engineer-Predictive Engineering & Validation – Electrophysiology

The Opportunity

This position works out of our Plymouth, MN location in the EP division. In Abbott's Electrophysiology (EP) division, we're advancing the treatment of heart rhythm disorders through breakthrough medical technologies.

What You’ll Work On

As a Staff R&D Engineer, Predictive Engineering & Validation, you will provide technical leadership for the development and execution of advanced bench testing strategies that support the Electrophysiology product portfolio. This role will establish and drive a vision for expanding bench testing capabilities to generate high-quality, decision-driving data that accelerates product development and complements preclinical studies. You will work across engineering, clinical, systems, and regulatory functions to develop innovative test methods, models, and evaluation frameworks that increase confidence in design decisions, optimize development costs, and improve development speed. The successful candidate will be recognized as a technical expert and strategic leader, influencing technology development across multiple projects.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, development, and implementation of advanced bench testing capabilities supporting electrophysiology therapies and technologies.
• Establish technical roadmaps that increase the use of bench-generated data to inform product design, performance characterization, and development decisions.
• Develop innovative test methods, simulated use models, and experimental platforms that replicate clinically relevant conditions.
• Partner with R&D, Clinical, Systems Engineering, Regulatory, Quality, and Product Development teams to align testing strategies with project objectives.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for bench testing methodologies, data interpretation, and study design.
• Lead complex investigations and data-driven analyses supporting technology development, risk reduction, and design optimization.
• Define requirements for new laboratory equipment, testing infrastructure, and capability investments.
• Mentor engineers and scientists in experimental design, data analysis, and best practices for bench testing.
• Present technical recommendations and strategic proposals to functional leadership and project teams.
• Support development of verification and validation strategies and associated regulatory documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce development costs, and accelerate project timelines through innovative testing approaches.
• Ensure compliance with FDA regulations, ISO standards, company procedures, and quality system requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of medical device product development, testing, research, or engineering experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex technical initiatives and influencing cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of experimental design, engineering fundamentals, and data-driven decision-making.
• Experience developing and executing laboratory, bench, or preclinical testing methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex technical challenges.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to effectively influence stakeholders and drive technical decisions across multiple organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong preference for candidates with demonstrated expertise in Irreversible Electroporation (IRE)/ Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) technology platforms, including electroporation physics, tissue response, energy delivery systems, catheter-based therapies, and cross-functional product development activities.
• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience in electrophysiology, cardiovascular medical devices, catheter-based therapies, or related technologies.
• Experience developing physiologically relevant bench models and simulation systems.
• Knowledge of verification and validation methodologies in regulated medical device environments.
• Experience with signal acquisition, data analysis, statistics, and modeling techniques.
• Experience leading laboratory capability development, test infrastructure improvements, or technology platforms.
• Demonstrated success mentoring engineers and serving as a technical leader across multiple projects.
• Knowledge of FDA regulations, ISO 13485, risk management processes, and design control requirements.