Principal Manufacturing Engineer

Innovation starts from the heart. At Edwards, we put patients first. We invest a significant proportion of our revenue towards research and development to drive and develop groundbreaking medical innovations for structural heart disease. As part of our THV R&D NPD Engineering team, you will work closely with cross functional teams to develop the latest tools and technologies to address significant, unmet clinical needs that impact patients' lives around the world.

The Principal Engineer will lead the development of advanced manufacturing equipment and automation solutions for a next‑generation Transcatheter Heart Valve (THV) product at Edwards Lifesciences. Embedded within the THV business unit at the earliest stages of development, this role designs and delivers complex electromechanical systems-integrating PLC‑based controls, SCADA, robotics, and industrial communications-from concept through readiness for production. Partnering closely with R&D, Process Engineering, and Manufacturing Engineering, the engineer shapes how the product will be built, inspected, and scaled well before commercialization, while retaining full internal technical ownership despite vendor involvement.

This role is critical to ensuring manufacturability; automation, inspection, and regulatory compliance are intentionally designed into the product from inception, supporting patient safety and long‑term product success.

How you will make an impact:

* SCADA & Control Systems:
Design, develop, and maintain SCADA architectures supporting early‑stage through production equipment, including HMI development, alarms, data logging, diagnostics, PLC‑based control logic (primarily Allen‑Bradley), and system lifecycle management with OT cybersecurity best practices.

* Robotics & Automated Systems:
Design, integrate, and program industrial robotic systems (e.g., Universal Robots, FANUC, ABB, KUKA), including end‑of‑arm tooling, safety systems, workcell layouts, motion paths, and optimization of cycle time, accuracy, and repeatability for automated assembly, handling, or inspection.

* Mechanical & Electrical Integration:
Interpret and apply mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, control panel layouts, and P&IDs; support installation, commissioning, debugging, and qualification of complex machine systems; diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, controls, and instrumentation issues while ensuring compliance with CE, NFPA 70E, OSHA, and IEC/ISO standards.

* Industrial Networking & Data Connectivity:
Design, configure, and maintain industrial networks (Ether Net/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP, Device Net); implement secure OT network architectures including switching, segmentation, and firewalls; enable data exchange between PLCs, SCADA, MES, and higher‑level data systems.

* Project Execution & Technical Leadership:
Lead equipment and automation projects from concept and feasibility through commissioning; develop functional specifications, control strategies, test plans, and risk assessments; collaborate with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, IT, and vendors to deliver integrated solutions; provide technical guidance and knowledge transfer to engineers, operators, and maintenance teams.

* Pre‑Commercial / Early Lifecycle Focus:
Drive manufacturing and automation strategy during concept and feasibility phases; shape equipment architecture and automation approaches prior to process lock; develop solutions appropriate for Class III medical devices, balancing innovation with compliance and patient safety; operate effectively within Edwards' stage‑gated development and design control framework without becoming documentation‑driven; demonstrate experience in roles that are not sustaining manufacturing, not transfer‑only, and not back‑end automation support.

What you'll need (Required):

* Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Scientific field, with a minimum of 6 years of related experience, including either industry or industry/education

* Master's Degree or equivalent in Engineering or Scientific field, with a minimum of 5 years of related experience, including either industry or industry/education

* Ph.D. or equivalent in Engineering or Scientific…