2027 Graduate Process Engineer - Orthopedics

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Job Description:

ROLE TITLE: Graduate Process Engineer

START DATE: September 2027
LOCATION: Cork, Ireland

Johnson & Johnson announced plans to separate our Orthopaedics business to establish a standalone orthopaedics company, operating as DePuy Synthes. The process of the planned separation is anticipated to be completed within 18 to 24 months, subject to legal requirements, including consultation with works councils and other employee representative bodies, as may be required, regulatory approvals and other customary conditions and approvals. Should you accept this position, it is anticipated that, following conclusion of the transaction, you would be an employee of DePuy Synthes and your employment would be governed by DePuy Synthes employment processes, programs, policies, and benefit plans. In that case, details of any planned changes would be provided to you by DePuy Synthes at an appropriate time and subject to any necessary consultation processes
 

DePuy Synthes, Companies of Johnson & Johnson, is the largest, most comprehensive orthopedic and neurological business in the world, built upon the strong legacies of two great companies. 

DePuy Synthes offer an unparalleled breadth and depth of technology, devices, services and programs in the areas of joint reconstruction, trauma, spine, sports medicine, neurological, cranio-maxillofacial, power tools and biomaterials. 

Our broad array of inspired, innovative and high-quality offerings helps advance the health and well-being of people around the world. 

DePuy Synthes, who employ over 1000 people in Cork established its manufacturing facility in Cork in 1997 where it manufactures orthopedic knees and hips. In 2014, DePuy Synthes in Cork won the Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence.

Job Purpose:

We are seeking a motivated Graduate Process Engineer with a strong interest in materials engineering and advanced manufacturing. The successful candidate will join the Process Engineering team and develop technical expertise in Foundry Manufacturing, including investment casting.

Working alongside experienced engineers and cross-functional partners, you will support day-to-day manufacturing, process improvement, technical investigations, validation activities and the introduction of new materials, equipment and technologies in a regulated medical device environment.

• Support day-to-day manufacturing by monitoring process performance, reviewing data and assisting with the resolution of technical issues.

• Participate in investigations relating to process variation, scrap, yield loss, rework, deviations and non-conformances.

• Use structured problem-solving methods and hands-on process observation to help identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.

• Support Lean, process excellence and continuous improvement projects focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost and process capability.

• Help create and maintain process documentation, work instructions, technical reports, response plans and training materials.

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Materials Engineering & Process Development

Practical experience across the following manufacturing pathways:

Foundry / Investment Casting

• Wax pattern manufacture and assembly

• Ceramic shell preparation and environmental control

• Metal melting, pouring and solidification

• Casting finishing and porous coating interfaces

• Metallurgical defect analysis and non-destructive inspection

Technical Analysis, Validation & Collaboration

• Collect, analyse and interpret manufacturing, material and quality data using appropriate statistical tools.

• Support process characterisation, capability studies, control charting and Design of Experiments under guidance.

• Assist with equipment qualification, process validation, material evaluation and implementation of approved process changes.

• Contribute technical evidence to non-conformance investigations, corrective and preventive actions, risk assessments and audit actions.

• Work closely with Operations, Quality, Validation, Asset Reliability, Project Engineering, Manufacturing Innovation and supplier teams.

• Communicate findings clearly through technical reports, presentations and cross-functional project updates.

• Structured graduate development with mentoring and support from experienced engineers and technical specialists.

• Hands-on experience in advanced metallic manufacturing within a highly regulated, patient-focused environment.

• Exposure to Materials Engineering, Foundry and Additive Manufacturing disciplines.

• Opportunities to contribute to real process improvement, validation and technology development projects.

• Professional development and career progression within a global medical device organisation.

Essential

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

• Recent graduate (2026 or due to graduate in 2027)

• Strong academic foundation and interest in materials behaviour, metallurgy, manufacturing processes or advanced manufacturing technologies.

• Analytical and structured problem-solving capability.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work well in a team.

• Curiosity, initiative and willingness to learn in a hands-on manufacturing environment.

Desirable

• Relevant internship, placement, laboratory, research or final-year project experience in engineering or manufacturing.

• Exposure to metallurgy, casting, metal additive manufacturing, heat treatment, materials characterisation or failure analysis.

• Experience with data analysis, statistical software, Design of Experiments or process capability tools.

• Awareness of Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement or regulated manufacturing principles.

Skills & Capabilities

• Ability to connect engineering fundamentals with practical observations on the manufacturing floor.

• An evidence-based approach to analysing data, identifying trends and supporting decisions.

• Interest in the relationship between material properties, manufacturing parameters and product performance.

• Organised approach to documentation, task management and follow-through.

• Ability to collaborate effectively and seek guidance while progressively building technical independence.

• Commitment to safety, quality, compliance and patient-focused manufacturing.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

The anticipated base pay range for this position is:

Benefits:

In addition to base pay, we offer the following benefits*: an annual bonus with set target (% of pay) depending on pay grade / location, where the actual amount is based on the employees’ and companies’ performance of the previous calendar year, or sales commissions. Moreover, we offer vacation days, parental leave for a minimum of 12 weeks, bereavement leave, caregiver leave, volunteer leave, well-being reimbursement, programs for financial, physical and mental health. We also offer service anniversary and recognition awards, and subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees - and in some location’s eligible dependents - can participate in several insurance plans. For more information, visit Employee benefits | Supporting well-being & career growth | Johnson & Johnson Careers.

*This is for informative purposes only. Amounts and actual benefits may vary by location and are subject to change.