At Medtronic you can begin a life-long career of exploration and innovation, while helping champion healthcare access and equity for all. You'll lead with purpose, breaking down barriers to innovation in a more connected, compassionate world.

A Day in the Life
Principle Manufacturing Engineer - Contract Manufacturing - Surgical Robotics

Buffalo Grove, IL.

A career at Medtronic is like no other. We're purposeful. We're committed. And we're driven by our Mission to alleviate pain, restore health and extend life for millions of people worldwide. We value what makes you unique. Be a part of a company that thinks differently to solve problems, make progress, and deliver meaningful innovations. See our videos below to learn more about our diverse workforce why Medtronic is an employer of choice.

We are looking for a Principle Manufacturing Engineering professional who is proficient in complex manufacturing technologies and processes in support of External Contract Manufacturing. This position will be required to work closely with multidisciplinary team (internal and external) and will lead and mentor continuity of supply and process improvement projects. Highly visible role, which will require the candidate to excel in leadership behaviors and is looking to stand out and demonstrate their leadership and technical abilities within our Contract Manufacturing team and drive engineering solutions for the future.

This position will have a hybrid work schedule, being on-site minimum 3 days per week with an affiliated Contract Manufacturer in Buffalo Grove, IL.

The Principle Manufacturing Engineer's primary responsibilities are reactive, urgent, line down support and issue resolution and proactive improvements at our external partners manufacturing processes. This includes but is not limited to, day to day operations engineering support and engineering project leadership related to Medtronic Finished Good products and processes. This may also include leading cross-functional sustaining teams (internal and external) and programs, leading and supporting strategic activities, drive Engineering & Quality excellence programs with our CM suppliers, and identify and deliver process improvements.

Engineers create our market-leading portfolio of innovations. Combine the best of your experience with training and mentorship to move forward. If you want a challenging, energizing, rewarding career that changes lives, join us. Help us bring the next generation of life-changing medical technology to patients worldwide.

Surgical Robotics: Surgical Robotics employees believe that every patient around the world deserves access to quality care and improved outcomes. Driven by our Mission, we believe that surgical robotics can add value to the healthcare ecosystem, lessen variability, and help more people around the world get better, faster.

We're making that exciting future possible - and disrupting one of the biggest and fastest growing markets in healthcare - with a game-changing portfolio of robotic and data & analytics technologies, services, and solutions.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate standout leadership behaviors and will have an understanding of a variety of manufacturing technologies and processes. Will also serve as a Point of Contact and be the Engineering liaison between External and Internal resources. The Principle Manufacturing Engineer will have a demonstrated track record of driving tangible process improvements, leading teams and using structured problem solving and be an expert in understanding process improvement techniques such as Business Process Management, Kaizen, DMAIC, Value Stream Mapping, Lean manufacturing, PDCA, 6-sigma, etc. As a seasoned engineer, you will be expected to work independently yet collaboratively, coach, mentor and review junior and senior level peer work, understand multiple issues and specialties, communicate expertly with internal and external partners, and manage projects of major/moderate complexity.

*** Hybrid position at Manufacturer's location in Buffalo Grove, IL, 3 days a week***

Responsibilities may include the following and other duties may be assigned.

• Designs manufacturing processes, procedures and production layouts for assemblies, equipment installation, processing, machining and material handling.


• Designs arrangement of machines within plant facilities to ensure most efficient and productive layout.


• Designs sequence of operations and specifies procedures for the fabrication of tools and equipment and other functions that affect product performance.


• Adapts machine or equipment design to factory and production conditions.


• May incorporate inspection and test requirements into the production plan.


• Inspects performance of machinery, equipment, and tools to verify their efficiency, and investigates and initiates corrective action of problems and deficiencies to ensure product quality.


• Develops manufacturing processes that are applicable to statistical process control, and may develop those techniques.


• Provides guidance to engineering regarding design concepts and specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques.


• Ensures processes and procedures are in compliance with regulations.

Minimum Requirements:

• Requires a Baccalaureate degree and minimum 7 years of relevant experience, or advanced degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.


• Requires mastery of a specialty area and full knowledge of industry practices, typically obtained through advanced education combined with experience.


• May have broad knowledge of project management.

Nice to Have:

• Ability to work 3 days per week in Buffalo Grove, IL at manufacturer's location.


• Expert understanding in Process Improvement techniques, i.e., Business Process Management, Kaizen, DMAIC, Value Stream Mapping, Lean Manufacturing, PDCA, Six-Sigma


• Ability to lead cross-functional teams


• Ability to coach, mentor, and review junior and senior level engineer work


• Ability to identify and deliver process improvements


• Project management skills


• Expert communication and interpersonal skills


• Ability to lead projects from start to finish


• Mechanical, Electrical or Electromechanical Engineering Degree


• Experience in manufacturing project management


• Experience in medical device manufacturing


• Working experience with supplier relations.


• Understanding of technical documentation and procedures


• Working knowledge and experience in Lean and Six-Sigma methodologies


• Technical writing skills


• Strong statistical skills using Minitab

Physical Job Requirements

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position.

The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.

Benefits & Compensation

Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package
A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create. We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage.

Salary ranges for U.S (excl. PR) locations (USD):$118,400.00 - $177,600.00

This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP).

The base salary range is applicable across the United States, excluding Puerto Rico and specific locations in California. The offered rate complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as experience, certification/education, market conditions, and location. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others).

Medtronic benefits and compensation plans

About Medtronic

We lead global healthcare technology and boldly attack the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions.
Our Mission - to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life - unites a global team of 90,000+ passionate people.
We are engineers at heart- putting ambitious ideas to work to generate real solutions for real people. From the R&D lab, to the factory floor, to the conference room, every one of us experiments, creates, builds, improves and solves. We have the talent, diverse perspectives, and guts to engineer the extraordinary.

Learn more about our business, mission, and our commitment to diversity here .

It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.