The Principal Advanced Operations Engineer - Technical Lead is a senior technical leader responsible for driving manufacturing excellence, process development, technology transfer, and operational readiness for new product launches. As the primary manufacturing and operations engineering authority within R&D, this role leads cross-functional initiatives to enhance manufacturability, improve operational performance, and accelerate commercialization. The position requires expertise in manufacturing engineering, process validation, lean manufacturing, automation, quality systems, and project leadership.
Key Responsibilities:
Serve as the technical lead for advanced manufacturing and operations engineering initiatives supporting new product development, implementation, and commercialization.
Provide strategic direction for manufacturing process development, optimization, scale-up, operational readiness, and technology transfer to production.
Partner with R&D throughout the product development lifecycle to ensure manufacturability and scalability and drive engineering best practices through Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA).
Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
Lead equipment qualification and process validation activities, including IQ/OQ/PQ execution.
Collaborate with Quality, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Regulatory Affairs, and R&D to deliver successful product launches and process implementations.
Lead multidisciplinary project teams, influence organizational stakeholders, and drive alignment on technical and operational decisions.
Provide technical expertise in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, advanced manufacturing processes, automation, and process validation methodologies.
Qualifications:
Required:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
8+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing engineering, operations, or new product implementation.
5+ years leading complex technical projects and cross-functional teams.
Preferred:
Master's degree.
Experience in regulated industries.
Experience with process validation, equipment qualification, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Experience influencing both leaders and individual contributors cross functionally.
United States of America Pay Ranges:
- US15: $135,700 - $226,200 USD Annual
Travel Percentage: 20%Stryker Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Stryker is an EO employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability.Stryker Corporation will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field
- 8+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing engineering, operations, or new product implementation
- 5+ years leading complex technical projects and cross-functional teams
- Master's degree
- Experience in regulated industries
- Experience with process validation and equipment qualification
- Experience with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
- Experience influencing leaders and individual contributors cross-functionally
Stryker Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Stryker and has not been reviewed or approved by Stryker.
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Healthcare Strength — Multiple medical plan options with HSA support and global mental‑health access indicate broad, accessible care. These features materially enhance the overall value of the total‑rewards package.
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Retirement Support — A meaningful 401(k) company match with potential additional company contribution, alongside an ESPP, supports long‑term savings and wealth building. Documented plan specifics help employees understand eligibility, timing, and vesting mechanics.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental and caregiver leave, adoption and surrogacy assistance, and practical supports like breast milk shipping reflect a comprehensive, family‑friendly approach. These offerings address varied family‑building paths and caregiving needs.
Stryker Insights
What We Do
Stryker is a global leader in medical technologies and, together with its customers, is driven to make healthcare better. The company offers innovative products and services in MedSurg, Neurotechnology, Orthopaedics and Spine that help improve patient and healthcare outcomes. Alongside its customers around the world, Stryker impacts more than 130 million patients annually. More information is available at www.stryker.com. Together with our customers, we are driven to make healthcare better.
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