Engineering Technician III - Metallurgical Testing & Materials Characterization

Medtronic Inc.•Fridley, MN

40d•$58,000 - $87,000•Onsite

About The Position

At Medtronic you can begin a life-long career of exploration and innovation, while helping champion healthcare access and equity for all. You'll lead with purpose, breaking down barriers to innovation in a more connected, compassionate world. A Day in the Life There is potential to consider leveling up the role to a IV, depending on the candidate's experience. The Engineering / Laboratory Technician supports research and technology development activities focused on metals and materials used in medical devices. This role performs metallurgical sample preparation, materials characterization, and mechanical testing to enable evaluation of new materials, manufacturing processes, and product designs. The technician will also maintain laboratory equipment, support calibration and quality compliance, and contribute to failure analysis investigations and materials innovation projects and problem solving. At Medtronic, we bring bold ideas forward with speed and decisiveness to put patients first in everything we do. In-person exchanges are invaluable to our work. We're working a minimum of 4 days a week onsite as part of our commitment to fostering a culture of professional growth and cross-functional collaboration as we work together to engineer the extraordinary.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent plus 4+ years of laboratory experience in materials testing.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or technical diploma in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or related field.
Experience working in medical device, aerospace, or other regulated industries.
Proficiency in metallographic preparation, optical microscopy, and SEM imaging techniques.
Hands-on experience with tensile, hardness, fatigue, impact, and friction testing equipment. Experience with heat treatment equipment (vacuum furnaces and fluidized beds) would be a plus.
Familiarity with ASTM and ISO standards related to metallic materials testing.
Experience maintaining calibration and preventive maintenance programs for laboratory instruments.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic data analysis tools (Excel, Minitab); experience with laboratory data systems a plus.
Strong attention to detail, documentation accuracy, and commitment to quality.
Mechanical aptitude and ability to work with precision instrumentation.
Effective communicator and collaborative team member in a multidisciplinary R&D environment.
Self-motivated, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a dynamic research setting.

Responsibilities

Prepare metallurgical samples for optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), including sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, and etching of medical-grade alloys and device components.
Conduct mechanical testing per established procedures and standards (e.g., ASTM, ISO), including tensile, hardness, fatigue, and friction testing.
Capture and analyze metallurgical images using optical and SEM imaging systems; assist with image documentation and interpretation.
Support microstructural, surface, and mechanical property evaluations of new metal technologies, coatings, and surface treatments.
Design and build jigs and fixtures to enable mechanical testing and complex metallurgical sample preparation.
Operate, maintain, and calibrate testing and imaging equipment to ensure accuracy and traceability in accordance with laboratory procedures and applicable regulations.
Maintain organized test records, calibration logs, and lab notebooks consistent with medical device documentation standards.
Contribute to continuous improvement of lab workflows, safety practices, and test methods to enhance consistency and throughput.
Support the development and validation of new laboratory test methods aligned with R&D project needs.
Partner with materials scientists, engineers, and researchers to conduct failure analyses and root cause investigations of medical device components.
Assist in evaluating the performance and biocompatibility implications of emerging metals, alloys, and manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing and novel surface treatments.
Record, analyze, and summarize test results; prepare data tables, charts, and concise technical summaries for inclusion in research reports and technical presentations.
Ability to work effectively with others within and outside organization.
Adaptable to changing priorities and working under general supervision in a matrixed organization.

Benefits

Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package
We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage.
Health, Dental and vision insurance, Health Savings Account, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Life insurance, Long-term disability leave, Dependent daycare spending account, Tuition assistance/reimbursement, and Simple Steps (global well-being program).
Incentive plans, 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match, Short-term disability, Paid time off, Paid holidays, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Assistance Program, Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums), and Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums).

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