Director, Hardware Lifecycle Engineering
Johnson & Johnson MedTech · Santa Clara, CA
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $189k–$325k
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Medical devices
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level manufacturing role at Johnson & Johnson MedTech (medical devices) in Santa Clara, CA. Lead a focused team of reliability, electrical, and mechanical engineers responsible for the testing, characterization, sustaining, and design improvement of robotic hardware systems.
- They ask for
- 10+ years
- Tools it names
- ISO 13485, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Robotics
- Base pay
- $189k–$325k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $114k–$168k. This one lists $189k–$325k.
Median of the low and high ends of 138 live postings that list pay, out of 369 manufacturing engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 368 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 91% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 5+)
Typical $110k–$159k, from 121 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 52%
- ✓ New product launch 50%
- Root cause 40%
- Automation 36%
- CATIA / NX 28%
- Machining 27%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for ISO 13485, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Johnson & Johnson MedTech
We found 3 people at this company and state: 3 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to John → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Johnson & Johnson MedTech in Santa Clara
11 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in manufacturing roles at Johnson & Johnson MedTech.
- Operations Process Engineering Manager/Surgical Robotics-OTTAVA · Controls · Manager
- Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing
- Staff OT Manufacturing Engineer- Shockwave · Manufacturing · Senior
- Sr Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer/Surgical Robotics-OTTAVA · Controls · Senior
- Operations Process Engineer (Capital System) · Process
- NPI Engineer II - Shockwave Medical · Manufacturing
Full description from Johnson & Johnson MedTechAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Lead a focused team of reliability, electrical, and mechanical engineers responsible for the testing, characterization, sustaining, and design improvement of robotic hardware systems.
- ◆Define and execute a multi-year hardware reliability and continuous engineering strategy aligned to product roadmap, clinical requirements, and commercial goals.
- ◆Build, lead, and develop high-performing reliability, test, failure-analysis, and continuous engineering teams.
- ◆Drive day-to-day execution of robotic hardware reliability and continuous engineering projects for the Ottava program, balancing scope, schedule, and budget.
- ◆Define system-level reliability targets and verification/validation plans that reflect clinical usage and OR workflows.
- ◆Ensure hardware testing, sustaining activities, and design changes meet regulatory and quality standards, maintaining accurate and compliant documentation throughout.
- ◆Define and execute product life cycle management plans, including design refresh, configuration control, product improvement roadmaps, and end-of-life strategies.
Required Experience and Skills
- ✓Background in Electrical, Mechanical, or related engineering fields.
- ✓10+ years of R&D experience in designing and developing complex hardware for electro-mechanical systems, with at least 5+ years focused on hardware reliability and lifecycle management.
- ✓Demonstrated success in leading engineering teams through concept, design, build, and verification phases.
- ✓Solid understanding of medical device regulations (e.g., IEC60601, IEC61010, 21CFR820, ISO13485).
- ✓Skilled collaborator who can work effectively with peers in software, systems, manufacturing, and quality.
- ✓Strong coaching and leadership skills, with a track record of developing engineers and fostering teamwork.
- ✓Experience with robotic hardware design and integration.
Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance.
Employees may be eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com
As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.
Job Function
R&D Product Development
Job Sub Function
R&D Electrical/Mechatronic Engineering
Job Category
People Leader
All Job Posting Locations
Santa Clara, California, United States of America
Job Description
The Robotics and Digital solutions (RAD) group, part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, is recruiting for a Director of Hardware Lifecycle Engineering for the Robotics and Digital R&D Team. This position is located in Santa Clara, CA.
What We Do
At Johnson & Johnson MedTech, we are building the future of robotic surgery and healthcare through innovation and technical excellence. Our goal is to develop advanced robotic platforms that are precise, reliable, and accessible. Our team focuses on creating solutions that empower surgeons and improve patient outcomes worldwide.
Who We Are
Within RAD R&D we are a team of clinical, electrical, firmware, mechanical, mechatronics, robotic controls, systems and software engineers who are passionate about improving patient care. The team includes a wide range of experience levels from junior engineers to industry experts. We follow an iterative, collaborative approach to product development, working across clinical, instrument, accessories, and system teams. We prioritize autonomy, foster a culture of learning, and value diversity of thought and background. Our environment is inclusive, supportive, and driven by a shared commitment to innovation and excellence in healthcare.
You
As a leader in our team, you will join us in our journey to design and deliver some of the most advanced medical robotic systems in the world. You will own both the reliability and the continuous engineering agenda for our robotic hardware platforms — ensuring our systems not only launch with world-class reliability, but continue to improve, remain manufacturable and supportable, and deliver value throughout their entire commercial life cycle. You will work closely with multi-functional teams to influence technical strategies, guide the development and sustaining processes, and deliver tangible results. This role offers significant leadership responsibility, growth opportunities, and the chance to have a significant impact on global healthcare.
Performance Objectives and