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Principal Engineer, R&D

Edwards Lifesciences Open
Irvine Full-time Senior Engineering Leadership

At a glance

Senior Engineering Leadership role at Edwards Lifesciences. Irvine · full-time · $121,000–$171,000 base.

SalaryStated by Edwards Lifesciences
$121,000 – $171,000
Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.
This role, from Edwards LifesciencesOur estimate for the market: $166,344–$209,000Median $182,500
Below the market median of $182,500 for senior engineering leadership roles in Irvine.
Worked out from 15 postings that stated pay, median $182,500. Last updated Oct 28, 2026.
RoleEngineering Leadership
SenioritySenior
LocationIrvine
EmploymentFull-time
Base pay$121,000–$171,000
PostedOct 21, 2026
Role brief

techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

  • Improve and design complex tests, interpret their results, recommend next steps, and document findings using engineering principles
  • Apply CAD, FEA, and optimization methods to help project teams refine device designs and performance
  • Assess experimental data and use it to build and verify computational models
  • Present analysis findings to stakeholders and prepare internal reports and technical summaries
  • Resolve complex design problems while coordinating with R&D, Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain

What you bring

  • A bachelor's degree in engineering or a scientific field plus six years of industry or combined industry and education experience
  • Alternatively, a master's degree with at least five years, or a doctorate with at least two years, in engineering or a scientific field
  • Preferred: experience with structural, mechanical, or fatigue analysis and nonlinear mechanics, plasticity, or advanced FEA modeling

Who this fits

This senior engineering role suits someone who can independently tackle complex design and modeling work and communicate findings across teams. Some domestic and international travel is expected, up to five percent.

From the employer

Dedicated to innovation, our Surgical business unit is focused on identifying and solving critical, unmet needs in cardiac surgery. In understanding the challenges of open-heart surgery, we partner with surgical teams to deliver modern technologies intended to enhance patients’ quality of life and expand their potential treatment opportunities. It’s our driving force to help patients live longer and healthier lives. Join us and be part of our inspiring journey.


Heart disease affects millions of individuals worldwide annually. At Edwards Lifesciences, we are committed to delivering advanced solutions for patients with cardiovascular conditions. With a strong emphasis on innovation, our Surgical Structural Heart (SSH) business unit is dedicated to addressing significant unmet needs within the field of cardiac surgery. This position with the Design and Simulation Team offers an opportunity to advance design capabilities within the SSH R&D group, contributing to the improvement of current and emerging technologies and therapies.


How you’ll make an impact:

  • Lead in improving, designing, and optimizing more complex tests, analyzing results, providing recommendations, and developing reports based on engineering principles that translate to innovative products.
  • Support project teams to optimize device design and performance by utilizing design tools and predictive engineering methods (e.g., CAD, FEA, and optimization)
  • Analyze and evaluate experimental data to create and validate the computational models.
  • Present the analysis results to the stakeholders and contribute to publishing internal reports and technical summaries.
  • Proactively identify issues, achieve resolution, and resolve problems of significant complexity in designing parts, components, and subsystems
  • Work in a cross-functional team environment and collaborate with R&D, Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to meet project objectives.
  • Some domestic and international travel (up to 5%)

What you’ll need (Required):

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or Scientific field , with 6 years' experience, including either industry or industry/education - OR -
  • Master's Degree or equivalent in Engineering or Scientific field , with 5+ years' experience, including either industry or industry/education - OR -
  • Ph.D. or equivalent in Engineering or Scientific field , with 2+ years' experience, including either industry or industry/education

What else we look for (Preferred):

  • MS or PhD degree in materials science or mechanical engineering is preferred.
  • 2+ years of experience in engineering design
  • 2+ years of experience in structural, Mechanical, or Fatigue Analysis
  • Demonstrated proficiency in nonlinear mechanics, plasticity, and advanced computational modeling techniques (FEA)
  • Understanding of general engineering design principles and a working knowledge of the design of experiments (DOE) and other engineering workflows
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of soft tissues is a plus.
  • Experience with scripting environments such as Python and MATLAB.
  • Ability to interact professionally with all organizational levels.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strict attention to detail.
  • Excellent documentation and communication skills and interpersonal relationship skills, including high discretion/judgment in decision-making.
  • Knowledge of the cGMP Manufacturing environment within the Medical Device Industry, including knowledge of FDA / TUV guidelines and quality system regulations in general.
  • Ability to interact professionally with all organizational levels and proactively escalate issues to appropriate levels of management.
  • Participate and present at meetings with internal and external representatives.
  • Develop peer, cross-functional, and cross-business relationships to maximize best practice sharing and team effectiveness.
  • Ability to work independently without close supervision.
  • Adhere to all company rules and requirements (e.g., pandemic protocols, Environmental Health & Safety rules) and take adequate control measures in preventing injuries to themselves and others as well as to the protection of the environment and prevention of pollution under their span of influence/control

Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families.

For California (CA), the base pay range for this position is $121,000 to $171,000 (highly experienced).

The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.








Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Opportunity

Engineering Leadership work from LinkedIn, X, Reddit and Upwork, in one list.

Each morning you get everything that fits, strongest first.

Engineering Leadership$120k+

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By the team behind techroles.

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Opportunity

Engineering Leadership work from LinkedIn, X, Reddit and Upwork, in one list.

Each morning you get everything that fits, strongest first.

Find me work

By the team behind techroles.