Principal R&D Engineer - Endoscopes at Noah Medical

San Carlos, California, United States

Noah Medical Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Medical Robotics, Healthcare, MedtechIndustries

Requirements

  • B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field with 12+ years of experience in product development; experience in medical devices or other regulated industries preferred
  • Proven expertise in flexible endoscope design and development, including working knowledge of distal articulation, steering mechanisms, and insertion tube construction
  • Strong grasp of mechanical fundamentals (kinematics, friction, compliance, tolerance stack-up, materials, and fatigue)
  • Demonstrated ability to identify and manipulate mechanical parameters that affect clinical performance
  • Hands-on proficiency with CAD (SolidWorks or equivalent), prototyping, and test method development
  • Experience with design-for-manufacture techniques, including machining, injection molding, laser cutting, and extrusion
  • Demonstrated success in cross-functional collaboration

Responsibilities

  • Lead the architecture, design, and development of next-generation flexible robotic endoscopes and endoluminal instruments
  • Act as a technical mentor and coach, guiding engineers through design control, risk management, verification, and design-for-manufacture practices
  • Apply mechanical first principles to characterize, model, and tune key performance parameters (e.g., torque response, bending stiffness, tip control, articulation fidelity)
  • Collaborate closely with Clinical Engineering to define and execute high-fidelity simulated use testing, ensuring that bench results translate to clinical value
  • Partner with Robotics and Controls Engineering to develop deterministic control strategies by quantifying and improving the mechanical behavior of flexible devices
  • Independently design, prototype, and test concepts using rapid iteration and data-driven decision-making
  • Lead design reviews and provide critical feedback across the I&A portfolio to ensure consistency, robustness, and alignment with system-level goals
  • Develop and document requirements, specifications, and verification methods for subsystems and components
  • Drive continuous improvement in performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Flexible EndoscopesBronchoscopeUreteroscopeGastroscopeCAD ModelingPrototypingMechanical DesignProduct DevelopmentVerification TestingManufacturing TransferRobotic SystemsFirst Principles Engineering

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What experience is required for the Principal R&D Engineer - Endoscopes role?

The role requires deep experience in flexible endoscopes such as bronchoscope, ureteroscope, gastroscope, or similar systems, along with mastery of mechanical first principles. Candidates should be hands-on engineers comfortable with CAD modeling, prototyping, testing, and cross-team collaboration.

What are the main responsibilities of this position?

Responsibilities include leading architecture, design, and development of flexible robotic endoscopes, mentoring engineers on design control and risk management, applying mechanical first principles to performance parameters, collaborating with clinical and robotics teams, prototyping, and leading design reviews.

What is the team culture like at Noah Medical's Instruments & Accessories team?

The team is dynamic, data-driven, collaborative, creative, and focused on first-principles thinking, with a mission to deliver high-quality products that physicians trust and patients benefit from on time.

What salary or compensation does this role offer?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What makes a strong candidate for this Principal R&D Engineer position?

A strong candidate is a technical thought leader with hands-on experience in flexible endoscopes, mastery of mechanical principles, ability to mentor engineers, and skills in rapid prototyping, data-driven decisions, and cross-functional collaboration.

Noah Medical

Develops medical robotic solutions for pulmonology

About Noah Medical

Noah Medical creates medical robotic solutions to improve early diagnosis in pulmonology. Their main product, the Galaxy System™ with TiLT+ Technology™, enhances diagnostic accuracy by providing real-time navigation and an augmented fluoro feature for locating lesions. The system is designed for efficiency with a single-use bronchoscope that reduces cross-contamination risks and improves workflow. Noah Medical stands out by collaborating with leading pulmonologists to ensure their technology meets practical clinical needs.

Redwood City, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2018Year Founded
$145.9MTotal Funding
SERIES_BCompany Stage
Robotics & Automation, HealthcareIndustries
201-500Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Mental Health Support
Legal Services
Pet Insurance
12+ Paid Holidays
15-20 Days of PTO
Paid Parental Leave
In-office Snacks and Beverages
In-office Lunch Stipend
Learning & Development Opportunities
Team Building and Company Organized Social Events
Hybrid Work Options

Risks

Increased competition from established companies like Intuitive Surgical in robotic bronchoscopy.
Potential delays in regulatory approvals could impact market entry and sales.
High cost of the Galaxy System™ may limit adoption in smaller healthcare facilities.

Differentiation

Noah Medical's Galaxy System™ offers real-time navigation updates for lung procedures.
The system's single-use bronchoscope reduces cross-contamination and improves procedural efficiency.
Compact design of the Galaxy System™ suits crowded bronch suites and operating rooms.

Upsides

Growing demand for minimally invasive procedures aligns with Noah Medical's focus.
Rising investment in healthcare technology startups offers funding opportunities for Noah Medical.
Advancements in AI enhance real-time image processing in Noah Medical's robotic systems.

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