Senior Principal Tool Engineer

Medtronic•Minneapolis, MN

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 11 Jul 2026. Careers that change lives start here. Medtronic is a global leader in healthcare technology with a Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. Our 95,000 employees work across more than 150 countries to put patients first — developing innovative medical technologies that improve the lives of 72+ million patients each year. Your unique talents will help shape the future of healthcare while building a career grounded in purpose, growth, and impact. A Day in the Life 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 onsite 4 days a week as part of our commitment to fostering a culture of professional growth and cross-functional collaboration as we work together to engineer the extraordinary. In your role, you may work from the following Medtronic sites: Mounds View, Minnesota; Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; Brooklyn Center, Minnesota; Rice Creek (Fridley), Minnesota; Plymouth, Minnesota; Dexter, Michigan; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Lafayette, Colorado; Irvine, California (UCI). This role requires up to 50% travel to enhance collaboration and ensure successful completion of projects. Molding & Capital Tooling strives to be a trusted, technical-focused organization by delivering molds on schedule, within budget, and of the highest quality, while promoting team development, innovation, and partnerships. The Sr Principal Tooling Engineer leads the design, build and process development of injection molding tools for plastic components within New Product Development, ensuring alignment with product design, material, and manufacturing requirements. This role provides technical leadership in plastic part design, mold flow analysis, polymer rheology, and tooling design while guiding suppliers through tool build, validation, and qualification activities. The engineer applies Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), tolerance stack-up analysis, and statistical methods such as DOE, MSA, and SPC to support robust process development. This supplier-facing role also leverages 3D CAD, data analysis tools, and SPI standards to ensure high-quality molded components and reliable tooling performance. Bring your talents to an industry leader in medical technology and healthcare solutions – we’re a market leader and growing every day. You can be proud to be a part of technologies that are rooted in our long history of mission-driven innovation. You will be empowered to shape your own career. We encourage and support your growth with the training, mentorship, and guidance you need to own your future success. Together, we can transform healthcare. Join us for a career that changes lives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
10+ years of experience with a bachelor’s degree or 8+ years of experience with an advanced degree
Solid understanding of Plastic Part Design / Injection Molding Guidelines.
Knowledgeable in the use of 3D CAD packages & Data Analysis software.
Understands Mold Flow analysis.
Rheology knowledge both Crystalline & Amorphous plastics resin (examples include polycarbonate, acrylic, PVC, Nylon and Co-polyesters).
Demonstrated ability to guide and coordinate vendor tool design and qualification activities to meet requirements of the application and DRM guidelines.
Understands limits / fits, tolerance stack up analysis.
Understanding of Geometric Dimensional Tolerancing (GDT) and application for inspection setup and tolerancing allowances of molded components.
Provide technical assistance and guidance to suppliers and contract manufacturers performing qualification and validation testing.
Use and understanding of Statistical Tools (Design of Experiments, Measurement System Analysis/Gage R&R, Process Capability and Statistical Process Control).
Use of Society of Plastics Industry Standards (SPI) for mold build classification and texture/surface appearance recognition.
For Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) is required.

Nice To Haves

Degree in plastics, mechanical, manufacturing or industrial engineering
Previous Medtronic/medical device experience
Molding certifications
Strong organizational skills
Analytical problem solving
High level of professionalism and strong communication skills
Demonstrated initiative and innovation
Ability to transfer the technical knowledge to manufacturing operations
Work remotely across time zones
Component qualification experience is a plus

Responsibilities

Leads the design, build and process development of injection molding tools for plastic components within New Product Development, ensuring alignment with product design, material, and manufacturing requirements.
Provides technical leadership in plastic part design, mold flow analysis, polymer rheology, and tooling design while guiding suppliers through tool build, validation, and qualification activities.
Applies Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), tolerance stack-up analysis, and statistical methods such as DOE, MSA, and SPC to support robust process development.
Leverages 3D CAD, data analysis tools, and SPI standards to ensure high-quality molded components and reliable tooling performance.
Owns and drives mold tool development and injection molding projects through adherence to established product design, scientific injection molding process, tooling, resin, and equipment.
Review/prepare test protocols and reports in order to qualify part and product changes.
Collaborate cross functionally with team members (i.e. R&D, Regulatory, Suppliers/Contract Manufacturers, Marketing, Biocompatibility, and Operations).

Benefits

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
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)
Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums)