R&D Engineer II – Surgical Development

Overview

Job Title: R&D Engineer II - Surgical Development

Department: BCI - Preclinical

Job Type: Full-Time

Location: Salt Lake City, UT (Onsite)

Blackrock Neurotech is focused on improving human lives through neuroscience research and technology. This role contributes to designing, prototyping, and validating surgical tools and techniques to enable safe, reproducible, and efficient device use in preclinical practice with the aim of transferability to clinical settings.

The R&D Engineer II – Surgical Development will lead efforts in designing, prototyping, and validating surgical tools and techniques with a focus on surgical access, deployment, and long-term performance. The role emphasizes developing surgical workflows and tools that enable safe, reproducible, and efficient device use in preclinical practice with the aim of transferability to clinical settings and practices.

• Drive development of surgical delivery systems, implantation techniques, and surgical support tools.
• Collaborate closely with surgeons and clinical partners to gather user needs and feedback.
• Design and test prototypes for usability, ergonomics, and surgical compatibility.
• Conduct preclinical studies to validate surgical approaches, ensuring safety and efficacy.
• Support failure analysis and design improvements based on preclinical/clinical observations.
• Prepare and maintain surgical protocols, technical reports, and risk documentation (per ISO 13485 and ISO 14971).
• Contribute to training materials and surgeon-facing documents for new device procedures.
• Liaise with cross-functional teams including systems engineering, regulatory, and clinical affairs.
• Help setting up validated sterilization abilities in-house.
• Data presentation.

• BS or MS in Biomedical, Mechanical or related Engineering discipline
• Experience in preclinical surgery or surgical R&D
• Familiarity with the surgical workflows and basic understanding of anatomy and physiology
• Strong skills in CAD design, prototyping and bench testing
• Excellent documentation skills
• Ability to work in fast-paced multidisciplinary environments

• PhD or advanced degree with research in surgical tools, implants or neuromodulation devices
• Direct surgical R&D experience (e.g., surgical robotics, endovascular devices, implant delivery systems)
• Experience conducting usability engineering/human factors studies with surgeons or clinicians
• Familiarity with medical device regulations (ISO 13485, 14971, 10993)
• Knowledge of biocompatible materials, sterilization methods, and implant packaging
• Experience working with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs)

• Ability to work in office setting.
• Sit and stand while typing as well as standing for long durations of time during surgeries.
• May require travel to animal facility and conferences.
• May need to lift heavy objects up to 40lbs.