Director Clinical Computation Model​/Artificial Intelligence

Job Summary

The Director Clinical Computational Modeling & Artificial Intelligence is a senior-level engineering role embedded within the Nicklaus Children's Hospital Heart Institute. This position supports the pediatric cardiovascular surgical team by identifying clinical needs and developing bedside-ready engineering solutions. Responsibilities include the design, simulation, and implementation of medical devices, spatial computing platforms, and computational models to enhance surgical precision and patient outcomes.

Serves as a bridge between surgical care and advanced engineering, integrating translational research, clinical workflow optimization, and technology development in a high-acuity pediatric environment.

• Participate in daily surgical rounds as a core member of the surgical team to identify clinical challenges and opportunities for innovation.
• Lead development of patient-specific computational models (e.g., fluid dynamics, digital twins) to enhance preoperative planning, intraoperative strategy, and post-operative optimization.
• Develop and prototype novel devices, tools, or algorithms to support bedside decision-making.
• Drive translational research execution, including IRB protocol development, data collection/analysis, and preparation of FDA/regulatory documentation to advance clinical deployment. Co-lead efforts with segment Chief in translational grant proposals (e.g., R01, R21).
• Lead cross-functional, multidisciplinary teams involving surgeons, cardiologists, data scientists, and regulatory specialists to co-develop, test, and implement novel solutions in live clinical environments.
• Collaborate with external academic and industry partners to drive co-development of novel technologies.
• Lead or co-author manuscripts, white papers, and regulatory documentation.
• Represent the Heart Institute at national conferences (e.g., AATS, STS, IEEE).
• Lead a team of engineers, junior researchers or visiting fellows, creating a sustained innovation workforce pipeline aligned with the mission of the Heart Institute.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Ph.D in Biomedical Engineering, Computational Science, or related field
• Master's Degree in MBA preferred (or in progress)
• 7-10 years of medical technology, device development, or computational modeling
• 2-4 years of prior experience in surgical innovation, translational research, and interdisciplinary collaboration in clinical environments

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expertise in computational modeling, digital twin simulation, and device design.
• Proficient in Python, Swift, C++, and cloud-native app environments (FastAPI, Docker, etc.).
• Knowledge of spatial computing and AR/VR surgical platforms (e.g., Apple Vision Pro, Hololens).
• Strong experience in AI/ML applications in healthcare.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills across clinical and technical teams.
• Experience developing regulatory submissions and IRB protocols.
• Capable of mentoring junior engineers and collaborating with external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to lead innovation initiatives from ideation through clinical translation.