Principal Machine Vision Development Engineer
Medtronic
At Medtronic you can begin a life-long career of exploration and innovation, while helping champion healthcare access and equity for all. You’ll lead with purpose, breaking down barriers to innovation in a more connected, compassionate world.
A Day in the Life
At Medtronic, we bring bold ideas forward with speed and decisiveness to put patients first in everything we do. In-person exchanges are invaluable to our work. We're working onsite 4 days a week as part of our commitment to fostering a culture of professional growth and cross-functional collaboration as we work together to engineer the extraordinary. The person in this role will work from the Medtronic facility located in Fridley, MN.This role will require 20% of travel to enhance collaboration and ensure successful completion of projects.
As a Principal Machine Vision Engineer on the Global Operations Innovation team, you will develop advanced machine vision and automated inspection systems for medical device manufacturing. Your work will enhance efficiency, accuracy, and reliability across Medtronic’s global network of manufacturing sites.
We believe that when people from different cultures, genders, and points of view come together, innovation is the result —and everyone wins. Medtronic walks the walk, creating an inclusive culture where you can thrive. Our unwavering commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity (ID&E) means zero barriers to opportunity within Medtronic and a culture where all employees belong, are respected, and feel valued for who they are and the life experiences they contribute. We know equity starts beyond our workplace, and we must play a role in addressing systemic inequities in our communications to achieve long-term sustainable impact.
Bring your talents to an industry leader in medical technology and healthcare solutions – we’re a market leader and growing every day. You can be proud to be a part of technologies that are rooted in our long history of mission-driven innovation. You will be empowered to shape your own career. We encourage and support your growth with the training, mentorship, and guidance you need to own your future success. Together, we can transform healthcare. Join us for a career that changes lives. Medtronic is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture.
CAREERS THAT CHANGE LIVES
Architect and lead the design and optimization of advanced image acquisition systems for manufacturing equipment, including camera architecture, optics, lighting strategies, and calibration methodologies.
Serve as a technical authority on commercial machine vision platforms and components, including Cognex, Keyence, HALCON, LMI, and GigE-based systems, guiding technology selection and best practices.
Provide technical leadership in the integration of machine vision systems into complex manufacturing environments, partnering with internal teams, suppliers, and system integrators to ensure scalable, robust solutions.
Lead the development and deployment of machine vision algorithms for product quality, including image processing, object detection, recognition, and tracking.
Own feasibility assessments, system performance evaluations, and validation activities (FAT/SAT), ensuring solutions meet technical, regulatory, and manufacturing requirements.
Stay at the forefront of machine vision and imaging advancements, proactively identifying and driving adoption of technologies that improve product quality and manufacturing capability.
Act as a key technical partner to regulatory and quality organizations, ensuring compliance with medical device standards and inspection requirements.
Provide expert‑level troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and technical mentorship for machine vision systems across the product and equipment lifecycle.
Establish and maintain high‑quality technical documentation, including system architectures, design specifications, test strategies, and validation reports.
Lead complex, multi‑site initiatives by synthesizing business and technical requirements, defining long‑term technology roadmaps, and delivering scalable vision hardware and analytics solutions aligned with organizational strategy.
MUST HAVE (Minimum Qualifications)
7+ years of experience with a bachelor’s degree or 5+ years of experience with an advanced degree
NICE TO HAVE (Preferred Qualifications)
Preferred 7+ years of Vision and Automation manufacturing equipment system design experience (or 5+ years of experience with an advanced degree)
Deep expertise in 2D and 3D machine vision hardware, including cameras, optics, lighting, frame grabbers, and related imaging components.
Strong command of machine vision fundamentals and image processing techniques, with the ability to architect robust inspection solutions.
Proven experience partnering with third‑party automation and system integrators to deliver fully integrated, production‑ready machine vision systems.
Experience authoring, reviewing, or supporting Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and Site Acceptance Test (SAT) documentation for vision systems.
Demonstrated success designing, developing, and deploying machine vision systems in manufacturing environments; medical device experience is strongly preferred.
Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate complex technical and business requirements into practical, scalable solutions.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence and align cross‑functional, multidisciplinary teams.
Experience deploying AI and deep learning–based vision solutions into production environments is a plus.
Experience working within a regulated Quality Management System (QMS) environment preferred.
Familiarity with medical device regulatory requirements and standards (e.g., validation, compliance, inspection controls) is a plus.
High attention to detail and demonstrated commitment to delivering high‑quality, reliable solutions.
Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic environment, navigating ambiguity and creatively resolving technical development challenges.
Proven ability to work independently as a senior technical contributor while also leading and collaborating within project teams.
Strong technical communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
For Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) is required.
Physical Job Requirements
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position.
The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.
U.S. Work Authorization & Sponsorship
At Medtronic, we are committed to fostering an environment where employees can thrive and make a meaningful impact. In alignment with our enterprise-wide workforce planning approach, U.S. work authorization sponsorship (H-1B, TN, J, etc.) is offered exclusively for Principal-level roles and above, where specialized expertise aligns with long-term business needs. Roles below the Principal level require candidates to possess unrestricted U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and for the duration of employment.
Join us in our mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life—where your unique background and perspective are valued.
Benefits & Compensation
Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package
A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create. We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage.
This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP).The base salary range is applicable across the United States, excluding Puerto Rico and specific locations in California. The offered rate complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as experience, certification/education, market conditions, and location. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others).
The following benefits and additional compensation are available to those regular employees who work 20+ hours per week: Health, Dental and vision insurance, Health Savings Account, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Life insurance, Long-term disability leave, Dependent daycare spending account, Tuition assistance/reimbursement, and Simple Steps (global well-being program).
The following benefits and additional compensation are available to all regular employees: Incentive plans, 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match, Short-term disability, Paid time off, Paid holidays, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Assistance Program, Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums), and Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums).
Regular employees are those who are not temporary, such as interns. Temporary employees are eligible for paid sick time, as required under applicable state law, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Please note some of the above benefits may not apply to workers in Puerto Rico.
Further details are available at the link below:
Medtronic benefits and compensation plans
About Medtronic
We lead global healthcare technology and boldly attack the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions.
Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people.
We are engineers at heart— putting ambitious ideas to work to generate real solutions for real people. From the R&D lab, to the factory floor, to the conference room, every one of us experiments, creates, builds, improves and solves. We have the talent, diverse perspectives, and guts to engineer the extraordinary.
Learn more about our business, mission, and our commitment to diversity here.
It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
If you are applying to perform work for Medtronic, Inc. (“Medtronic”) in any position which will involve performing at least two (2) hours of work on average each week within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, you can find here a list of all material job duties of the specific job position which Medtronic reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. Medtronic will consider for employment qualified job applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.