Director, Engineering

Edwards Lifesciences • Irvine, CA

2d • $159,000 - $226,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Engineering is a highly impactful leadership role responsible for driving innovation, scale-up, and commercialization of advanced materials technologies used in implantable medical devices. The position oversees validation, scale-up, and continuous improvement for knit, woven, non-woven, and braided textile components, aligning engineering, manufacturing, quality, and business objectives.

Partnering with R&D, Quality, Operations, and external industry technology leaders, the Director leads the design and deployment of scalable, reliable manufacturing solutions for complex, high-quality medical products. The role drives operational excellence through continuous improvement, including Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, and provides strategic leadership to inspire innovation, develop high-performing engineering teams, and strengthen cross-functional collaboration. The position requires on-site presence and travel up to 25% domestically and internationally.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• Proven experience leading, managing, and developing engineering teams, ideally in medical devices, advanced materials, or textile manufacturing.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally as required.
• Ability to work on-site to lead teams, collaborate cross-functionally, and support manufacturing operations.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree with a preferred concentration or strong foundation in Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Textile Engineering, and/or Polymer Science.
• Master’s degree.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Deep subject-matter expertise in material engineering and/or textile manufacturing technologies, with the ability to apply technical knowledge to scalable, production-ready solutions.
• Experience with Performance Qualification (PQ), Design Verification, Validation, and Biocompatibility evaluation of materials and components for Class II and Class III medical device applications.
• Strong business acumen and a track record of developing and executing strategic and tactical technical business plans aligned with organizational objectives.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts and influence senior-level decisions.
• Ability to establish and sustain strategic relationships with raw material and component suppliers, academic institutions, and external technology partners.
• Ability to manage complex technical programs and global supply chains, balancing risk, priorities, and execution in fast-paced environments with aggressive timelines.
• Experience applying Six Sigma tools to solve complex technical challenges and Lean Manufacturing principles to develop robust, sustainable processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Project.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute plans to transfer and qualify textile component designs into the Implant Network supply chain and global manufacturing operations, ensuring readiness, scalability, and sustained performance.
• Partner with the Textiles Center of Excellence and New Product Development teams to incorporate Design for Manufacturability principles early in product development.
• Define and drive strategic and tactical initiatives aligned with the objectives of Implant Network Technical Operations and Process Engineering.
• Lead, coach, and inspire engineers and scientists, fostering accountability, collaboration, technical rigor, and customer focus.
• Attract, develop, and retain textile engineering talent, and build succession plans and technical depth.
• Establish and manage strategic supplier relationships and external technology partnerships to support innovation, product quality, and continuity of supply.
• Drive continuous improvement in manufacturing capability and performance using Design for Manufacturability, Six Sigma, and Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Oversee budgets, resource planning, and talent development to support effective execution of business and operational objectives.
• Oversee validation, scale-up, and continuous improvement for knit, woven, non-woven, and braided textile components.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries
• Performance-based incentives
• A wide variety of benefits programs to address employees’ and their families’ diverse individual needs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director