Principal Automation Software Test Engineer: SDET

Medtronic • Lafayette, CO

1d • $122,400 - $183,600

About The Position

The Principal Automation Software Test Engineer is responsible for developing and performing automated verification and validation test activities for software and systems, helping ensure that medical device products perform their intended functions while meeting quality and reliability standards. The role applies technical expertise to independently develop efficient and creative approaches to complex technical problems, working under limited direction.

The position leads and contributes to automated software testing for complex systems used in surgical procedures. It provides technical leadership and mentoring, coordinates test team activities, develops project-specific test strategies, and uses or develops tools to support comprehensive system test coverage. The engineer participates in product development activities across requirements, software design, usability, risk assessment, test design, and execution; collaborates with multidisciplinary engineering teams; and contributes to on-time delivery of working, well-documented products.

The role also supports defect tracking and analysis, communicates findings and solutions to project teams and stakeholders, and identifies improvements to software testing processes. Work must follow Medtronic product development standards, regulatory evidence requirements, the Quality System, and applicable environmental, health, and safety rules. Travel requirement: 10–20%.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or another engineering discipline.
• At least 7 years of experience in software quality assurance, test automation, and/or test lead roles.
• At least 5 years of experience in medical devices or another regulated industry.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with test automation for GUI, backend integration, reliability, and performance testing, including designing and implementing test automation frameworks.
• Knowledge of scripting languages such as Python, bash, JavaScript, or Perl.
• Knowledge of C/C++ or other programming languages, Linux OS, and familiarity with UML.
• Experience developing products in medical devices or another regulated industry and following a defined software development process, including requirements and test tracing.
• Ability to estimate tasks accurately and track and communicate progress for software verification and validation tasks.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks or projects and manage priorities.
• Strong knowledge of modern iterative software design and development practices, including agile and test-driven development.
• Experience with one or more of Cypress, Jest, Supertest, React testing, Rabbit MQ, and REST-based architectures.
• Project management skills, including planning, estimation, and requirements management.
• Self-motivation, strong problem-solving skills, and ability to work independently.
• Understanding of FDA Quality System Regulations (QSR) and IEC 62304 compliance.
• For baccalaureate degrees earned outside the United States, a degree satisfying the requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to software and test engineers.
• Coordinate test team activities, including delegating work and reviewing work products.
• Use existing test tools, enhance or develop tools as needed, and collaborate with adjacent project teams to achieve full system test coverage.
• Create project-specific test strategies and approaches.
• Design, develop, test, maintain, document, and validate software testing components and applications.
• Participate in product development phases as needed, including requirements reviews, software design, usability, risk assessment, test design, and test execution.
• Contribute to project team objectives and the on-time delivery of working, well-documented products.
• Interface with mechanical, electrical, systems, software, and test engineers.
• Identify and implement process improvements for the software testing function.
• Participate in defect tracking and analysis.
• Communicate findings, problems, and solutions to project teams and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with team members and stakeholders and maintain effective working relationships.
• Follow product development standards and practices to support evidence required by regulatory authorities.
• Perform activities in compliance with the Quality System and environmental, health, and safety requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and flexible benefits package.
• Eligible for the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP) short-term incentive.
• For regular employees working 20 or more hours per week: health, dental, and vision insurance; Health Savings Account; Healthcare Flexible Spending Account; life insurance; long-term disability leave; dependent daycare spending account; tuition assistance or reimbursement; and Simple Steps well-being program.
• For all regular employees: incentive plans; 401(k) with 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 for Vice Presidents and above or subject to IRS earning minimums.

What This Job Offers

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