Principal Supplier Quality Engineer

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 31 Mar 2026   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 In this exciting role as a Principal Supplier Quality Engineer in Cardiac Surgery (CS), you will develop supplier quality strategies and lead supplier control activities for new product development programs based in Brooklyn Park, MN and Dexter, MI. Cardiac Surgery represents end stage treatment in the care continuum for many cardiovascular diseases and this operating unit provides an intimate relationship with the Cardiac Surgeon and Cardiac Operating Room by offering an unparalleled depth and breadth of portfolio. Key Technologies: • Surgical heart valves • Cardiac OR solutions (e.g., blood management, cannulae) • Extracorporeal life support • Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) solutions 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 are working onsite a minimum of 4 days per 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. This role will require less than 10% of travel to enhance collaboration and ensure successful completion of projects. Responsibilities may include the following and other duties may be assigned: Provide Pre-Market Supplier Quality Engineering support to New Product Development (NPD) working in partnership with the Post-Market Supplier Quality Teams, to deliver quality parts, materials, and services, prevent defects, and allow Medtronic to provide customers with the highest quality and reliable products Provide technical guidance and quality compliance for Supplier Quality engagement throughout the NPD lifecycle on newly qualified parts from NPD and implement strategies for driving product quality and continuous improvement, ensuring purchased products and components are manufactured and qualified in accordance to applicable industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer requirements Manage strategic Contract Manufacturers (CMs) at Medtronic, with accountability for product and process changes, performance oversight, and continuous improvement initiatives Ensure that suppliers consistently deliver quality parts, materials, and services Lead supplier’s qualification strategy and manage supplier quality deliverables for major/moderately complex projects, involving delegation of work and review of work products Manage projects and timelines for supplier deliverables and quality improvements, using structured project management practices to coordinate tasks, track milestones, escalate risks and communicate status clearly to stakeholders Manage supplier changes as they evolve during NPD programs, including assessing the impact of changes on existing qualifications and validations Develop compliant solutions to moderately complex problems Collaborate with suppliers to resolve change-related issues effectively and efficiently, ensuring minimal disruption to program timelines Plan and lead supplier audits to qualify suppliers and to assess compliance with regulatory standards and Medtronic Internal procedures including reporting and confirmation of follow-up actions Mentor, review and delegate work to lower-level specialists on supplier quality deliverables Lead and deliver the Product Acceptance Sampling Strategy, Approved Supplier List coordination, Supplier Owned Quality deployment, and Control Plans for new products Drive cross-functional problem solving and communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders (Sourcing, R&D, Operations, PMO) to resolve issues, align expectations, influence decision making and ensure timely closure of deliverables in compliant fashion Qualify suppliers according to company standards and may administer a Certified Supplier Program in receiving inspection to ensure cost effectiveness Monitor parts from acquisition through the manufacturing cycle and communicate and resolve supplier-related problems as they occur Evaluate suppliers' internal functions to assess their overall performance and provide feedback in assessment of their operation Define Receiving Inspection requirements as required and associated test method validation for all internal Medtronic Test Methods Required Knowledge and Experience: Requires a Baccalaureate degree AND minimum of 7 years of relevant experience OR Master's degree with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience OR PhD with 3 years relevant experience Prior experience in or demonstrated strong working knowledge of global medical device regulations and requirements Nice to Have Engineering experience with medical devices, specifically disposable devices and/or capital equipment Demonstrated experience in managing and executing the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), including documentation, process validation, and ensuring supplier readiness for production Lead Auditor certification from a recognized external body (e.g., ISO 13485 and/or ISO 9001 or equivalent) with experience planning and conducting supplier audits Broad knowledge and demonstrated capabilities of project management Understanding of heart anatomy and human/blood physiology Experience supporting cross-functional and cross-regional teams in a matrixed organization developing collaborative relationships Experience with manufacturing assembly processes and inspection/testing method 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. Physical Job Requirements The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position.  The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role. U.S. Work Authorization & Sponsorship At Medtronic, we are committed to fostering an environment where employees can thrive and make a meaningful impact. In alignment with our enterprise-wide workforce planning approach, U.S. work authorization sponsorship (H-1B, TN, J, etc.) is offered exclusively for Principal-level roles and above, where specialized expertise aligns with long-term business needs. Roles below the Principal level require candidates to possess unrestricted U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and for the duration of employment. Join us in our mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life—where your unique background and perspective are valued. Benefits & Compensation   Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create.  We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage.   Salary ranges for U.S (excl. PR) locations (USD):$120,000.00 - $180,000.00   This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP). The base salary range is applicable across the United States, excluding Puerto Rico and specific locations in California. The offered rate complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as experience, certification/education, market conditions, and location. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others). The following benefits and additional compensation are available to those regular employees who work 20+ 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/reimbursement, and Simple Steps (global well-being program).   The following benefits and additional compensation are available to all regular employees: 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).   Regular employees are those who are not temporary, such as interns.  Temporary employees are eligible for paid sick time, as required under applicable state law, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Please note some of the above benefits may not apply to workers in Puerto Rico.   Further details are available at the link below: Medtronic benefits and compensation plans About Medtronic We lead global healthcare technology and boldly attack the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people.  We are engineers at heart— putting ambitious ideas to work to generate real solutions for real people. From the R&D lab, to the factory floor, to the conference room, every one of us experiments, creates, builds, improves and solves. We have the talent, diverse perspectives, and guts to engineer the extraordinary. Learn more about our business, mission, and our commitment to diversity here. It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are applying to perform work for Medtronic, Inc. (“Medtronic”) in any position which will involve performing at least two (2) hours of work on average each week within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, you can find here a list of all material job duties of the specific job position which Medtronic reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. Medtronic will consider for employment qualified job applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.