Growth is our focus at CONMED, and we know that innovation is key to growth and our success! We are dedicated to innovation across our product portfolio and believe in the power of engaged talent on our teams. If you have a growth-mindset, have innovation top-of-mind and want to be a part of a high performing team, consider applying to join CONMED as a Principal Mechanical Engineer.
This position is for a critical member of our Advanced Surgical division's R&D team, based in Denver, CO. The engineer will have immediate opportunities to contribute to new product development with a focus on minimally invasive surgical technologies designed to deliver real benefits to surgeons, hospitals and their patients.
Advanced Surgical products include:
Advanced insufflation systems
Advanced energy systems
Advanced smoke management systems
Laparoscopic surgical instruments
Responsibilities:
Own the design and development of high-quality and reliable disposable and/or capital medical products for surgical procedures, ensuring exceptional performance and adherence to industry standards while maintaining consistent product continuity for our customers.
Prioritize simple, manufacturable, and maintainable design solutions.
Create designs that balance performance, cost, manufacturability, and reliability while minimizing unnecessary complexity.
Serve as a technical authority across all phases of design and development, applying sound engineering principles, data-driven decision-making, and disciplined processes to manage risk and ensure patient safety.
Execute design, prototyping, verification, validation, and manufacturing activities with appropriate documentation and rigor.
Independently develop test protocols, analyze results, and document findings with clarity and precision. Teach and mentor others to do the same.
Maintain accurate and complete technical documentation, including requirements, specifications, and design outputs.
Collaborate with cross-functional partners to plan work, manage timelines, and deliver project milestones.
Own technical direction and key design decisions across the product lifecycle, ensuring alignment with system-level requirements, risk, and business objectives.
Assume full responsibility for all phases of design, development, component procurement, assembly, verification, validation, and manufacturing, ensuring compliance with medical device standards and regulations.
Lead structured root-cause investigations using data and systematic problem-solving methods. Implement robust corrective and preventive actions.
Oversee conceptual designs, detailed designs, CAD modeling, prototyping, and troubleshooting, working independently across all aspects of the product development cycle.
Plan and execute verification and validation activities guided by risk, data, and intended use - not just compliance - ensuring designs are robust, safe, and clinically meaningful.
Lead and influence cross-functional teams and stakeholders, aligning technical decisions with broader program, clinical, and business objectives.
Ensure seamless collaboration, leveraging diverse expertise to achieve successful outcomes, exceed project goals, and align with overall business objectives.
Engage with surgeons, clinicians, and internal stakeholders to deeply understand unmet needs, problem @context, and constraints before defining requirements and pursuing solutions.
Define and frame complex or ambiguous engineering problems, guiding teams toward effective solutions based on structured analysis.
Take ownership of design quality and project deliverables, ensuring compliance while proactively identifying risks and driving timely resolution.
Guarantee that all designs comply with relevant industry standards, safety regulations, and quality control procedures.
Communicate risks, tradeoffs, and technical decisions clearly and early to stakeholders, enabling timely decisions and shared ownership of outcomes.
Take ownership of technical outcomes throughout the product lifecycle, proactively surfacing risks, driving corrective actions, and following through closure.
Assist with quality management system reviews and participate in external audits to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.
Build team capability by mentoring engineers, strengthening engineering standards, and scaling best practices across programs.
Pursue continuous technical growth and remain current in manufacturing methods, materials, and analytical tools relevant to advanced surgical devices.
Frame engineering problems clearly, explore alternatives thoughtfully, and select solutions based on structured analysis rather than assumption or urgency.
Make and guide high-impact technical decisions, balancing risk, speed, complexity, and performance.
Principal Mechanical Engineer Expectations:
Models respect, integrity, and collaboration when working with others
Approaches ambiguous and complex problems with curiosity, defining clear paths forward
Approaches complex problems thoughtfully, prioritizing understanding before execution
Applies sound engineering judgment and disciplined processes
Holds a high bar for technical rigor while striving for simple, practical solutions
Delivers practical, manufacturable, and reliable designs
Takes accountability for results, surfacing risks early and following through
Invests in personal growth and actively helps others on the team level up
This role requires a talented and driven team player who is eager to contribute to multiple exciting projects and initiatives. If you enjoy working in a cross-functional and fast-paced team environment, we invite you to apply for consideration!
Required Qualifications:
10+ years engineering work experience required (8+ years with related Master's degree or 5+ with a PhD)
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (or highly related field) required
Other Attributes:
Mastery of 3-D CAD software such as SolidWorks or equivalent
Proficiency using GD&T and creating engineering drawings
Expertise in mechanical design principles, including stress analysis and materials selection
Demonstrated ability to simplify designs and trade complexity for reliability, manufacturability, and serviceability
Demonstrated knowledge of design for manufacturing, such as machining, injection molding, and assembly
General understanding of relevant technologies, including hardware design and mechanics.
Ability to collaborate effectively across functions and contribute to team alignment and execution
Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills
Applied expertise in statistics, risk analysis, and data-driven engineering decisions
Experience leading cross-functional and technical teams
Effective communication skills to clearly articulate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Experience applying structured problem-solving methods (e.g., root cause analysis, DOE, FMEA)
Strong judgment in technical prioritization, trade-off decisions, and execution in a regulated R&D environment
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working in a regulated environment, such as FDA 21 CFR 820 or similar
Strong knowledge of FEA / CFD tools
Strong understanding of medical device regulations
Strong knowledge in root cause investigations and problem solving
Mastery of project management principles and budgeting
Experience developing new products
Experience in the design of electro-mechanical devices
This position is not eligible for employer based sponsorship.
Disclosure as required by applicablelaw, the annual salary range for this position is $118,000 - $190,000. The actual compensation may vary bas
