Principal Research and Concept Designer

Stryker’s Research & Technology Development (R&TD) Team are looking for a curious and visionary Principal Researcher and Concept Designer to explore and push the boundaries of technology and clinical innovation at Stryker’s Innovation Centre in Cork, Ireland. This role blends human-centered analytical research with creative ideation to conceptualize groundbreaking solutions that address unmet clinical needs and improve patient outcomes.  

R&TD focuses on early-stage, high-risk research and technology initiatives that are 5–10 years away from commercialization. You will work with our cross-functional team on early-stage projects across various business units. Your role is to carry out empathic user research, converting insights into ideation concepts with consideration for Desirability, Feasibility and Viability (DFV), ensuring a robust transfer into our New Product Development (NPD) teams.  

We are looking for someone who thrives in the front-end of innovation, blending clinical needs and technology applications in compelling, human centered concepts. This role is ideal for designers who are curious and self-driven, love solving complex challenges, and want to make foundational contributions that will shape the medical devices of tomorrow. 

Stryker is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies and is dedicated to helping healthcare professionals perform their jobs more efficiently while enhancing patient care. The company offers a diverse array of innovative medical technologies, including reconstructive, medical and surgical, and neurotechnology and spine products to help people lead more active and more satisfying lives. 

Join us to help shape what’s next—before the market even knows it needs it. 

This role is hybrid with the expectation to be on-site in Cork, Ireland. 

WHO WE WANT 

We want- 

• User-focused creators. Passionate creative leaders who design with the user in mind, developing medical devices that help change patients’ lives and create the next generation of user experience in the OR. 

• Curious learners. Designers driven by deep empathy for users, and passionate about transforming ambiguity into clarity. People who seek out cutting-edge research and information to expand and enhance their ability to design medical devices. 

• Collaborative partners. People who build and leverage cross-functional relationships to bring together ideas, information, use cases, and industry analyses and lead the development of best practices. 

• Analytical problem solvers. People who go beyond just identifying root causes but evaluate optimal solutions and recommend comprehensive upgrades to prevent future issues. 

This role is a key contributor to our cross-functional research team, collaborating with engineering & marketing to research and design digital and physical solutions for cutting-edge medical devices.   

WHAT YOU WILL DO 

As a member of the Research and Technology Development team, you will be at the front end of research — diving deep into user insights, emerging technologies, and clinical procedures to create concepts that enhance existing portfolios and inspire future product and system solutions. 

• Conduct Exploratory Research 

• Investigate emerging medical trends, technologies, and patient needs 

• Analyze data from clinical sources, academic research, and market signals 

• Ideate & Conceptualize 

• Translate insights into novel device concepts, services, and experiences 

• Create design mockups, storyboards, or prototypes to communicate ideas 

• Collaborate Cross-Functionally 

• Partner with clinicians, engineers, and product teams to step through the research process (DFV) 

• Facilitate ideation workshops and innovation sprints 

• Develop & Iterate 

• Conduct user interviews and feedback loops with healthcare professionals 

• Refine concepts based on technical constraints and user input 

• Prototype development aligned to the requirements of the DFV stage gates for successful transfer into NPD 

• Document & Present 

• Deliver concept decks, design documentation, and pitch materials 

• Advocate for the vision in stakeholder meetings and innovation reviews 

WHAT YOU NEED 

Core skills- 

• Experience with ethnographic research and design thinking methodologies 

• Knowledge of UX design for medical devices including digital health solutions 

• Strong visual and verbal communication 

• Proven skills in prototyping and manufacturing technologies 

Qualifications-  

• Bachelor’s degree in User Experience (UX) Design, User Interface (UI) Design, Interaction Design, Industrial Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field. BFA or BS required. 

• 10+ years of professional experience in UX or Interaction Design 

• Proven experience with a portfolio that showcases your design process and outcomes. 

• Proficiency in leading design and research tools including Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino 3D, Keyshot, Figma, Miro, and others. 

• Experience in the medical device field is a strong plus.