Engineering Technician III – Metallurgical Testing & Materials Characterization at Medtronic

Fridley, Minnesota, United States

Medtronic Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Mid-level (3 to 4 years), Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Medical Devices, HealthcareIndustries

Requirements

  • High school diploma or equivalent plus 4+ years of laboratory experience in materials testing
  • Ability to work effectively with others within and outside organization
  • Adaptable to changing priorities and working under general supervision in a matrixed organization

Responsibilities

  • Prepare metallurgical samples for optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), including sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, and etching of medical-grade alloys and device components
  • Conduct mechanical testing per established procedures and standards (e.g., ASTM, ISO), including tensile, hardness, fatigue, and friction testing
  • Capture and analyze metallurgical images using optical and SEM imaging systems; assist with image documentation and interpretation
  • Support microstructural, surface, and mechanical property evaluations of new metal technologies, coatings, and surface treatments
  • Design and build jigs and fixtures to enable mechanical testing and complex metallurgical sample preparation
  • Operate, maintain, and calibrate testing and imaging equipment to ensure accuracy and traceability in accordance with laboratory procedures and applicable regulations
  • Maintain organized test records, calibration logs, and lab notebooks consistent with medical device documentation standards
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of lab workflows, safety practices, and test methods to enhance consistency and throughput
  • Support the development and validation of new laboratory test methods aligned with R&D project needs
  • Partner with materials scientists, engineers, and researchers to conduct failure analyses and root cause investigations of medical device components
  • Assist in evaluating the performance and biocompatibility implications of emerging metals, alloys, and manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing and novel surface treatments
  • Record, analyze, and summarize test results; prepare data tables, charts, and concise technical summaries for inclusion in research reports and technical presentations

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Metallurgical TestingMaterials CharacterizationSample PreparationSectioningMountingGrindingPolishingEtchingOptical MicroscopySEMMechanical TestingTensile TestingHardness TestingFatigue TestingFriction TestingASTM StandardsISO StandardsImage AnalysisLaboratory Equipment MaintenanceFailure Analysis

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this a remote position or does it require onsite work?

The role requires working a minimum of 4 days a week onsite to foster professional growth and cross-functional collaboration.

What skills and responsibilities are required for this Engineering Technician role?

Key skills include metallurgical sample preparation (sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, etching), mechanical testing (tensile, hardness, fatigue), operating SEM and optical microscopy, equipment maintenance and calibration, and supporting failure analysis.

What is the salary or compensation for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the work culture like at Medtronic for this role?

Medtronic emphasizes bold ideas, speed, decisiveness, putting patients first, and in-person collaboration with a minimum of 4 days onsite to support professional growth and cross-functional teamwork.

What experience makes a candidate strong for this Engineering Technician III role?

Candidates with sufficient experience may be considered for leveling up to Engineering Technician IV; strong hands-on skills in metallurgical testing, mechanical testing, lab operations, and collaboration on failure analysis are key.

Medtronic

Develops and manufactures medical devices and therapies

About Medtronic

Medtronic provides medical technology, services, and solutions to improve patient care. The company develops a variety of medical devices, including pacemakers, insulin pumps, surgical tools, and neurostimulation devices, which help diagnose, prevent, and treat chronic diseases. These products are used by hospitals, clinics, and healthcare professionals around the world. Medtronic stands out from competitors by investing significantly in research and development to create new products and offering additional services like training and patient management programs. The goal of Medtronic is to enhance patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs through its comprehensive range of medical solutions.

Fridley, MinnesotaHeadquarters
1949Year Founded
$3.2MTotal Funding
IPOCompany Stage
Biotechnology, HealthcareIndustries
10,001+Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Holidays
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Employee Assistance Program
Wellness Program

Risks

Emerging competitors like Fire1 threaten Medtronic's heart failure management market share.
Spine biologics market growth may attract new entrants, increasing competition for Medtronic.
Recent IPOs in medtech indicate rising competition, challenging Medtronic's market position.

Differentiation

Medtronic's diverse product range spans cardiovascular, diabetes, neurological, and surgical technologies.
The company invests heavily in R&D to drive innovation in medical devices.
Medtronic offers comprehensive services, including training and technical support, enhancing product value.

Upsides

Exclusive deal with Kuros enhances Medtronic's orthopedic portfolio and market share.
Growing spine biologics market offers expansion opportunities in spinal fusion and regenerative medicine.
Balloon catheters market growth aligns with Medtronic's recent product launches, boosting cardiovascular presence.

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