Edwards Lifesciences Corp

Principal Quality Engineer, Receiving & Inspection

Edwards Lifesciences Corp$121K — $171K *
Healthcare
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in engineering or scientific fields with relevant experience (6+ years for Bachelor's, 5+ years for Master's)
  • Proficient in statistical analysis methods like T-tests and Gage R&R
  • Demonstrated project management skills with a history of leading cross-functional teams
  • Strong background in test method validation and equipment/process qualifications (IQ/OQ/PQ)
  • Experience in a highly regulated industry

Responsibilities

  • Lead inspection readiness and product transfer activities for complex medical devices
  • Evaluate and approve inspection plans based on manufacturing insights
  • Apply advanced statistical analysis for process capability assessments
  • Collaborate with teams to optimize sampling plans and inspection strategies
  • Act as a technical lead on cross-functional projects with project management focus
  • Manage NCR and CAPA activities while driving investigations and resolutions
  • Conduct root cause analyses using structured methodologies and report findings

Benefits

  • Wide variety of benefits programs to meet diverse employee needs
  • Performance-based incentives offered
  • Competitive salaries based on merit and qualifications
  • Support for family-related benefits
  • Opportunities for professional growth and development
Full Job Description
We are seeking a Principal Quality Engineer to join our Receiving & Inspection organization, playing a critical role in ensuring product quality, regulatory compliance, and successful product transfers from New Product Development (NPD) into manufacturing. This highly visible role requires a hands-on technical leader who can evaluate inspection readiness, apply statistical rigor to decision-making, and partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Regulatory Affairs, Supplier Quality, NPI/NPD, and Advanced Quality Engineering teams. The ideal candidate will bring strong expertise in inspection methodologies, statistical analysis, and quality systems, combined with the ability to influence stakeholders, challenge assumptions, and drive robust, inspection-ready processes across sites.

How you will make an impact:

  • Lead inspection readiness and product transfer activities from NPD to manufacturing for complex medical devices, ensuring alignment with internal procedures and regulatory requirements
  • Evaluate and approve inspection plans, providing critical feedback based on practical, on-the-floor understanding of manufacturing and inspection processes
  • Apply advanced statistical analysis (e.g., T-tests, Gage R&R) to assess process capability, support decision-making, and justify quality and inspection strategies
  • Partner with cross-functional teams (i.e. Manufacturing, Regulatory Affairs, etc.) to optimize sampling plans and inspection strategies, including justification for reduced sampling where appropriate
  • Serve as a technical lead on cross-functional projects, driving initiatives from concept through execution with a strong project management mindset
  • Manage and support NCR and CAPA activities, including leading investigations and ensuring effective resolution and closure
  • Conduct root cause analysis using structured methodologies (e.g., Fishbone/Ishikawa), and author clear, data-driven investigation reports
  • Drive preventive action strategies and ensure alignment of quality practices across multiple sites
  • Provide hands-on technical support, including inspection execution, measurement techniques, and tool usage (e.g., calipers and metrology equipment)
  • Collaborate with global teams to ensure consistent quality standards and scalable inspection processes
  • Perform other incidental duties as required to support the overall objectives of the department and organization.


What you'll need (Required):

  • Bachelor's degree within engineering or scientific fields, plus at least 6 years of relevant experience; OR Master's degree within engineering or scientific fields, plus at least 5 years of relevant experience.
  • Statistical analysis experience (i.e. T-tests, Gage R&R), or similar statistical methods
  • Proven project management experience, including leading cross-functional teams and driving projects from initiation through completion
  • Strong knowledge of test method validation and equipment/process qualifications (IQ/OQ/PQ)
  • Experience working within a highly regulated industry


What else we look for (Preferred):

  • Engineering degree
  • Experience supporting product transfers (NPD > manufacturing), including inspection readiness and quality planning
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including knowledge of GD&T
  • Experience designing or working with inspection fixtures and tooling
  • Familiarity with vision inspection systems (e.g., Keyence, SmartScope)
  • Hands-on experience with inspection processes, metrology tools, and quality systems
  • Experience managing NCRs, CAPAs, and root cause investigations
  • Experience partnering with or supporting Regulatory Affairs in quality or submission-related activities
  • Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and drive decisions in a cross-functional environment
  • Strong resilience and ability to operate effectively in a high-accountability, fast-paced environment
  • Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or equivalent certification


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, the base pay range for this position is $121,000 - $171,000 (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.

About Edwards Lifesciences Corp

Edwards Lifesciences is an American medical technology company headquartered in Irvine, California, specializing in artificial heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring. It developed the SAPIEN transcatheter aortic heart valve made of cow tissue within a balloon-expandable, cobalt-chromium frame, deployed via catheter. The company has manufacturing facilities at the Irvine headquarters, as well as in Draper, Utah; Costa Rica; the Dominican Republic; Puerto Rico; and Singapore; and is building a new facility due to be completed in 2021 in Limerick, Ireland.
Learn more about Edwards Lifesciences Corp
Size
15,700 employees
Market Cap
$45.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$823.4 million
Founded
1958
5 Year Trend
+12%
Revenue
$4.3 billion
NASDAQ

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