Innovation starts from the heart. At Edwards, we put patients first. We invest a significant proportion of our revenue towards research and development to drive and develop groundbreaking medical innovations for structural heart disease. As part of our R&D Engineering team, you will work closely with our Quality and Manufacturing teams to develop the latest tools and technologies to address significant, unmet clinical needs that impact patients’ lives around the world.
Many structural heart patients suffer from heart failure with limited options. Our Implantable Heart Failure Management (IHFM) team is at the forefront of addressing these unmet patient needs through pioneering technology that enables early, targeted therapeutic intervention. Our innovative solutions are not just transforming patient care but also creating a unique and exciting environment for our team members. It’s our driving force to help patients live longer and healthier lives. Join us and be part of our inspiring journey.
This is an on-site role based at our corporate headquarters in Irvine, CA. The selected candidate must reside in the local region.
How you will make an impact:
As a Systems Engineer, this individual will be a member of the Research & Development team, responsible for new product design and development, risk management, and product performance improvements for the hardware components of the Cordella platform. This is a collaborative position in which the Systems Engineer will work closely with other hardware and software engineers, quality, regulatory, manufacturing, and other individuals throughout the company.
Lead development and execution of engineering project plans, including designing and conducting complex experiments (including writing and executing protocols), analyzing results, and delivering reports based on engineering principles
Generate work instructions, test methods, engineering models and drawings/prototypes, etc., to establish/characterize product and/or process specifications
Create/update more complex design control documents including requirement specs, and risk documents (Hazard Analysis, Design FMEAs, and Use FMEAs)
Lead design change impact assessments, ensuring risks, requirements, and validations are appropriately addressed
Ensure compliance with applicable standards and regulatory requirements throughout the product lifecycle
Conduct user research and usability evaluations to support safe, effective design decisions
Maintain a complete, organized Design History File (DHF) to support traceability and audit readiness
Drive system-level strategies and solutions to effectively navigate design and development processes, ensuring alignment with technical, regulatory, and business objectives
Assign R&D support tasks; give instruction to technicians on conducting tests; train technicians and provide feedback; and coordinate technician work
Evaluate input and form a technical recommendation including designing parts, components and subsystems
Train, coach, and guide lower-level employees on routine procedures
Other duties assigned
What you'll need (Required):
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Scientific field with 4 years of experience -OR- Master's Degree or equivalent in Engineering or Scientific field with 3 years of experience -OR- Ph.D. or equivalent in Engineering or Scientific field
Experience with medical devices and FDA quality practices and standards, including ISO 13485
Prior experience performing testing to support V&V and risk management activities
Prior experience working within Design Controls and DHF ownership
What else we look for (Preferred):
Experience in medical devices with both hardware and data and/or software is preferred
Experience with FDA submissions for product approvals
Prior experience processing, parsing, and analyzing data, including script development for automation and statistical analysis methods using Excel and Minitab
Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly document technical rationale and present findings to cross-functional stakeholders.
Demonstrated organizational, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills
Strict attention to detail and commitment to high quality documentation
Ability to interact professionally with all organizational levels
Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, fast-paced, regulated environment while managing multiple priorities
Adhere to all company rules and requirements (e.g., pandemic protocols, Environmental Health & Safety rules) and take adequate control measures in preventing injuries to themselves and others as well as to the protection of environment and prevention of pollution under their span of influence/control
Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families.
For California (CA), the base pay range for this position is $108,000 to $153,000 (highly experienced).
The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.
Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.
COVID Vaccination Requirement
Edwards is committed to protecting our vulnerable patients and the healthcare providers who are treating them. As such, all patient-facing and in-hospital positions require COVID-19 vaccination. If hired into a covered role, as a condition of employment, you will be required to submit proof that you have been vaccinated for COVID-19, unless you request and are granted a medical or religious accommodation for exemption from the vaccination requirement. This vaccination requirement does not apply in locations where it is prohibited by law to impose vaccination.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Scientific field with 4 years experience, OR Master's with 3 years, OR Ph.D. in Engineering or Scientific field
- Experience with medical devices and FDA quality practices and standards, including ISO 13485
- Prior experience performing testing to support V&V and risk management activities
- Prior experience working within Design Controls and Design History File (DHF) ownership
- Experience in medical devices with both hardware and data and/or software
- Experience with FDA submissions for product approvals
- Experience processing, parsing, and analyzing data, including script development for automation and statistical analysis methods using Excel and Minitab
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to document technical rationale and present findings
- Demonstrated organizational, interpersonal, critical thinking skills and strict attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented, fast-paced regulated environment while managing multiple priorities
Edwards Lifesciences Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Edwards Lifesciences and has not been reviewed or approved by Edwards Lifesciences.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs include a 401(k) match complemented by a separate profit‑sharing contribution. These elements add meaningful long‑term value to total compensation.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An employee stock purchase plan with a discount and look‑back feature, alongside stock awards for eligible roles, provides notable upside. Program expansions indicate continued accessibility.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time‑off policies include generous PTO, company holidays, and a year‑end holiday shutdown. These offerings enhance work‑life support when available at the site.
Edwards Lifesciences Insights
What We Do
Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE: EW), is the global leader in patient-focused medical innovations for structural heart disease, as well as critical care and surgical monitoring. We thrive on discovery and expanding the boundaries of medical technology, serving patients in 100+ countries, with the help of our employees in areas including Clinical Affairs, Quality Engineering, Research & Development, Regulatory Affairs, Sales & Marketing, corporate functions and more. Our roots date back to 1958 when Miles Lowell Edwards, a retired engineer with a background in hydraulics and fuel pump operations, set out to build the first artificial heart. Edwards believed the heart could be mechanized and was encouraged by Dr. Albert Starr to focus on developing an artificial heart valve. After just two years, the first Starr-Edwards mitral valve was developed and successfully placed in a patient. This innovation spawned Edwards Laboratories. Miles’ fascination with healing the heart and helping patients with heart disease stemmed from his own experience with rheumatic fever as a teenager and continues to fuel our patient-first culture today. Today, we are as passionate about providing innovative solutions for people fighting cardiovascular disease as we have ever been. It's our Credo. It takes integrity, collaboration, innovation, and focus. We are leaders in the design and manufacture of tissue replacement heart valves and repair products as well as advanced hemodynamic monitoring. We partner with physicians to innovate products designed to help patients live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. Our work is both rewarding and a privilege. The importance of what we do defines our approach. We work together to create an environment where ideas can flourish and we provide our people with the resources, expertise and support to bring those ideas to life. For our legal terms and trademarks, please visit: https://www.edwards.com/legal/legal-terms








