Principal Mechanical Engineer - Advanced Surgical

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 based on geographic location, work experience, education and skill level. The salary range is CONMED's good faith belief at the time of this posting.

Coloradoresidents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

This job posting is anticipated to close on August 31, 2026. We may, however, extend this time period, in which case the posting will remain available on careers.conmed.com. Please submit your application as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis as we receive them.

Benefits:

CONMED offers a wide array of benefits to fit your unique needs. Visit our Benefits Page for more information.

• Competitive compensation
• Excellent healthcare including medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage
• Short & long term disability plus life insurance -- cost paid fully by CONMED
• Retirement Savings Plan (401K) -- CONMED matches your contributions dollar for dollar, with the potential for up to 7% per pay period
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan -- allows stock purchases at discounted price
• Tuition assistance for undergraduate and graduate level courses

Know someone at CONMED? Have them submit you as a referral before applying for this position to be eligible for our Employee Referral Program incentives!

CONMED is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status or characteristic. Protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Poster reaffirms this commitment.

Colorado Residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

If you feel you need a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the ADA, you are encouraged to contact us at 800-929-7176 option #5.