Job Function: R&D Product Development
Job Sub Function: Biomedical Engineering
Job Category:People Leader
All Job Posting Locations:Irvine, California, United States of America
Job Description:Johnson & Johnson is recruiting for a
Director, Bioengineering.Job SummaryThis leader will establish and guide a core bioengineering function that integrates computational modeling, waveform and sequence development, bench characterization, preclinical evaluation, and external scientific collaboration. The role is intended to deepen the organization's understanding of the biology and physics of pulsed field ablation while translating that knowledge into robust catheter designs, optimized energy-delivery strategies, and differentiated therapeutic performance.
Key Responsibilities1. Lead Sequence Development and Computational Modeling for Next-Generation PFA Devices
- Build and lead a high-performing team responsible for developing pulsed field ablation sequences, waveform strategies, and dosing approaches for next-generation electrophysiology ablation platforms.
- Establish advanced simulation capabilities using COMSOL Multiphysics and other modeling tools to predict electric field distribution, thermal effects, tissue response, lesion formation, and catheter-tissue interactions.
- Develop and apply multiphysics models that integrate electrical, thermal, fluidic, mechanical, and biological considerations relevant to pulsed field ablation.
- Translate computational insights into actionable design inputs for catheter architecture, electrode configuration, energy delivery, sequence optimization, and clinical workflow.
- Create a scalable modeling framework that can support rapid iteration across catheter designs, energy-delivery recipes, and intended clinical use cases and worflows.
2. Lead Bench Testing, Characterization, and Test Method Development
- Build and lead a team responsible for bench testing and characterization of ablation catheters and associated energy-delivery strategies.
- Design, develop, and validate new test setups and test methods to evaluate catheter performance, lesion formation, electric field behavior, thermal profile, fluidic behavior, and ablation consistency.
- Use bench data to validate computational simulations, refine modeling assumptions, and establish a disciplined feedback loop between modeling, prototype development, and experimental characterization.
- Partner with product development teams to evaluate evolving catheter designs, identify performance tradeoffs, and guide design improvements through quantitative data and engineering judgment.
- Ensure test methods are scientifically sound, reproducible, appropriately documented, and aligned with R&D, preclinical, quality, and regulatory expectations.
3. Enable Preclinical Evaluation of Catheters in Development
- Lead a group that enables preclinical testing of ablation catheters as designs evolve through multiple iterations from early concept through design freeze and development milestones.
- Define preclinical study objectives, endpoints, and evaluation strategies that generate meaningful evidence on lesion quality, durability, safety margins, tissue selectivity, and collateral tissue effects.
- Partner closely with preclinical operations, clinical science, regulatory, quality, and product development teams to ensure studies are designed to answer critical technical and translational questions.
- Integrate preclinical findings with simulation and bench-testing outputs to guide catheter design, sequence development, and risk-benefit assessment.
- Establish disciplined review processes to ensure that preclinical learnings are captured, communicated, and translated into clear development decisions.
4. Advance Internal and External Scientific Collaboration
- Establish and lead a scientific engagement strategy with internal experts, academic collaborators, research institutions, key opinion leaders, and external scientific partners to advance the field of pulsed field ablation.
- Drive research efforts that deepen understanding of the biology and physics underlying irreversible electroporation, tissue selectivity, lesion durability, therapeutic windows, safety considerations, and waveform-dependent tissue response.
- Identify emerging scientific questions and technology opportunities that can inform future product strategy, intellectual property, clinical differentiation, and next-generation platform development.
- Represent the organization in technical discussions, scientific reviews, collaborative research forums, and cross-functional strategy discussions related to pulsed field ablation and bioengineering innovation.
- Promote a culture of scientific rigor, curiosity, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making across internal and external research activities.
Leadership Expectations- Set a clear technical vision for the Bioengineering function and translate that vision into executable priorities, organizational capabilities, and measurable outcomes.
- Recruit, develop, and mentor a diverse team of engineers and scientists with expertise in bioengineering, computational modeling, electroporation, catheter development, thermal sciences, test method development, and translational research.
- Operate as a senior technical leader across R&D, ensuring strong alignment with product development, clinical, regulatory, quality, medical affairs, marketing, operations, and external scientific partners.
- Balance long-term scientific exploration with the practical needs of product development timelines, design decisions, and business priorities.
- Foster a culture of accountability, technical excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
QualificationsRequired- Masters or PhD in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biophysics, Applied Physics, or a related scientific or engineering discipline; PhD strongly preferred.
- A minimum of 10 years of experience leading technical teams in medical device R&D, electrophysiology, ablation technologies, electroporation, computational modeling, or related fields.
- Demonstrated experience with multiphysics modeling, finite element analysis, or simulation-based product development; experience with COMSOL Multiphysics preferred.
- Strong understanding of experimental design, bench testing, test method development, and validation of computational models through physical testing.
- Experience translating complex scientific and engineering concepts into practical product-development decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders across technical, clinical, regulatory, quality, and business functions.
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical information clearly to senior leaders, cross-functional partners, and external collaborators.
Preferred- Deep expertise in pulsed field ablation, irreversible electroporation, cardiac ablation, electrophysiology catheters, or energy-based medical device platforms.
- Experience designing or interpreting preclinical studies for cardiac ablation technologies.
- Familiarity with catheter-tissue interaction, lesion assessment, thermal and non-thermal ablation mechanisms, electrode design, waveform optimization, and biologic tissue response.
- Track record of engaging with academic collaborators, key opinion leaders, or external research institutions to advance scientific understanding and technology development.
- Experience building new technical capabilities, laboratories, modeling platforms, or organizational functions within a complex R&D environment.
Role ImpactThe Director of Bioengineering will play a critical role in shaping the future of pulsed field ablation within Johnson & Johnson MedTech Electrophysiology. By integrating modeling, bench testing, preclinical science, and external research collaboration, this leader will help establish the scientific and engineering foundation for next-generation ablation technologies that are designed to improve procedural performance, deepen mechanistic understanding, and advance patient care.
Additional Information- The Company maintains highly competitive, performance-based compensation programs. Under current guidelines, this position is eligible for an annual performance bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan. The annual performance bonus is a cash bonus intended to provide an incentive to achieve annual targeted results by rewarding for individual and the corporation's performance over a calendar/performance year. Bonuses are awarded at the Company's discretion on an individual basis.
- Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance.
- Employees may be eligible to participate in the Company's consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
- Employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:
- Vacation - up to 120 hours per calendar year
- Sick time - up to 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington - up to 56 hours per calendar year
- Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays - up to 13 days per calendar year
- Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
- Additional information can be found through the link below. https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits
Required Skills:Preferred Skills:Bioinformatics, Biological Engineering, Biostatistics, Controls Compliance, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Developing Others, Global Market, Healthcare Trends, Inclusive Leadership, Leadership, Medical Affairs, Product Development, Quality Assurance (QA), Research and Development, Researching, Resource Planning, SAP Product Lifecycle Management, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
The anticipated base pay range for this position is :$164,000.00 - $282,900.00
Additional Description for Pay Transparency:
