Principal Software Engineer - Surgical Operations

    • Medtronic
  • Boston, MA
  • Posted 12 days ago | Updated 4 hours ago

Overview

On Site
Full Time

Skills

Verification and validation
C++
Medical devices
Real-time
PID
Software implementation
Continuous improvement
Systems engineering
Design review
Unit testing
Signal processing
Product development
Collaboration
Operations
Mechanical engineering
Electrical engineering
Robotics
IMPACT
Leadership
Recovery
Algorithms
Embedded systems
Sensors
Computer hardware
Electromechanics
Design
FOCUS
MATLAB
Simulink
Research
Modeling
Documentation
Simulation
Classical mechanics
Dynamics
Apache Velocity
Estimating
Optimization
Microprocessor
Linux
Fluency
English
German
Software development
Health care

Job Details

Careers that Change Lives

In this role, you will join a world class team of mechanical, electrical and software engineers responsible for further development and enhancement of the globally launched Robotic Assisted Surgery platform within the Surgical Operating unit:

Medtronic's Surgical Operating Unit is one new, powerful operating unit bringing together the people and product portfolio of Surgical Robotics and Surgical Innovations. With the Medtronic Mission as our North Star, we will build on our legacy of proven surgical solutions and advance the promise of robotics and digital solutions for the benefit of the customers and patients we serve.

Make your impact by exploring a career with the world's leading Medical Device company, striving "to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life."

A Day in The Life

As a Principal Controls Software Engineer working at Medtronic, you will be a significant contributor in the development of control algorithms that supports, legacy, current and future generations of robotic surgical instruments. You will create software solutions that run on a sophisticated real-time embedded platform, using embedded sensor and actuator hardware to deliver high-bandwidth, precise and robust instrument response. In addition, this role will involve engagement with the electromechanical design of surgical instruments at all stages - with a focus on control software requirements development that is compatible with the test, verification, and validation of a safety-critical system.

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

  • Design feedback control algorithms in MATLAB/Simulink using classical PID control laws.
  • Research advanced control methods and their potential for improving closed-loop system performance.
  • Update/tune existing software implementation to support released products.


  • Reduced order modeling of system/subsystem that enables efficient exploration of controller design space.
  • Integrate and test new controller designs on hardware with different maturity levels: prototype to released hardware.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of verification methods.
  • Partner with the greater software organization, systems engineering, and validation groups
  • Define and review software requirements.


  • Act as an independent reviewer of MATLAB/Simulink models to ensure that all software meets quality standards.
  • Prepare and participate in design reviews.
  • Document or participate in the documentation of the software including architecture and design detail, unit testing, anomaly tracking and reports.


Must Have: Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree with 7 years of relevant experience, or advanced degree with 5 years of relevant experience.


Nice to Have

  • Proficient in use of modeling & simulation software (MATLAB/Simulink strongly preferred)
  • Familiarity with multi-body kinematics and dynamics.


  • Experience in design and implementation of position, velocity, and torque feedback controllers.
  • Knowledge of discrete signal processing methods and algorithms.
  • Experience with reduced order modeling of mechatronic systems.
  • Knowledge of techniques used for real-time estimation of uncertain parameters.
  • Experience in implementation of advanced control algorithms, as an example, Optimization based control methods.


  • Experience with real-time software on microprocessor-based systems and developing software in a Linux environment.
  • Integrating mechanical and electrical hardware and software, particularly in an embedded context.
  • Medical product development process highly desired-regulator processes, safety considerations, hands-on experience with medical/surgical devices/instruments
  • Experience with a big company with matrix structures, having already worked with cross functional teams within an international environment.
  • Fluency in English is required (German a plus)


  • Experience in prototype level C++ coding is a plus.
  • Experience in open-ended, robotics research projects is a plus.


  • Ability to travel up to once per month


About Medtronic
Together, we can change healthcare worldwide. At Medtronic, we push the limits of what technology, therapies and services can do to help alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. We challenge ourselves and each other to make tomorrow better than yesterday. It is what makes this an exciting and rewarding place to be.

We want to accelerate and advance our ability to create meaningful innovations - but we will only succeed with the right people on our team. Let's work together to address universal healthcare needs and improve patients' lives. Help us shape the future.

Benefits & Compensation

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. This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP). Learn more about MIP and benefits here.

The provided base salary range is used nationally (except in certain CA locations). The rate offered is compliant with federal/local regulations and may vary by experience, certification/education, market conditions, location, etc.

Physical Job Requirements
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.