Risevoic
Research Engineer, Electrical Concept Development
Company : Cook Medical
Location : West Lafayette, IN, 47906
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 11 January 2026
Overview
Cook Advanced Technologies (Cook AT) offers an exciting start-up atmosphere with the security of a large company and is passionate about making a difference in improving the health and well-being of patients worldwide. Cook AT is currently accepting applications for a Research Engineer with an Electrical Engineering background. The person in this position is responsible for applying engineering principles to address unmet clinical needs: designing, developing and testing new concepts. This role primarily focuses on electrical, electronic, and electromechanical design within Cook Advanced Technologies, and may also support other Cook companies as needed.
Responsibilities
- Conduct literature reviews and analyze prior research to understand unmet clinical and technical needs.
- Work collaboratively with key stakeholders to define functional, usability, manufacturability, and safety requirements for concept solutions.
- Brainstorm design solutions for addressing defined requirements
- Develop research and development strategies for reducing design ideas to practice and demonstrating their feasibility
- Design and prototype medical device concepts, including:
- Analog and digital circuit design
- Microcontroller-based systems
- Electromechanical actuator and transducer design
- Data acquisition and signal processing systems
- Circuit layout and fabrication
- Mechanical packaging
- Perform testing, troubleshooting, and validation of prototypes.
- Ensure compliance with relevant safety standards, particularly IEC 60601.
- Maintain thorough documentation of project work, including reports, lab notebooks, invention disclosures, and meeting notes.
- Support intellectual property development by identifying, characterizing, and protecting novel ideas.
- Complete training on applicable Quality System procedures and understand the importance of engineering work in achieving quality objectives and ensuring safe, effective medical devices.
- Demonstrate initiative and self-direction in all aspects of work.
Qualifications
Education & Experience:
- Masters or PhD in Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering field with an electrical focus, or 5 years equivalent experience in medical device industry.
Technical Skills:
- Proficient with hardware/software integration
- Proficient with programming for data acquisition, signal processing and control instrumentation
- Proficient at instrumentation design, including schematic design, component specification, PCB layout, mechanical packaging, assembly and troubleshooting
- Experience with design of electromechanical systems, including coils, motors, actuators, transducers, MEMS
- Experience with at least two of the following programming languages: Python, C, C++, R, and MATLAB
- Experience with RF design techniques
- Experience with modern closed-loop control techniques
- Experience with common AI/ML models
Professional Attributes:
- Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
- Effective communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to work in a regulated environment
- Professional demeanor, positive attitude, and strong work ethic
Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States. Cook Advanced Technologies does not intend to provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B or TN) for this employment position.
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Frequently asked questions
Unlike standard electrical engineering jobs, this role emphasizes innovating medical device concepts by integrating electromechanical design and signal processing. It requires both creativity in conceptualizing solutions and rigorous testing to meet clinical safety standards, blending research with practical application in healthcare technology.
Proficiency in microcontroller systems, analog and digital circuit design, and modern closed-loop control methods is critical. Additionally, familiarity with programming languages like Python or C++, and experience in RF design and AI/ML applications, elevates effectiveness in developing innovative medical device prototypes.
Daily tasks often involve resolving complex design feasibility issues, ensuring device compliance with IEC 60601 safety standards, and coordinating cross-functional feedback. Balancing creativity with regulatory constraints while maintaining meticulous documentation presents a unique blend of technical and procedural challenges.
West Lafayette’s strong ties to Purdue University foster a rich innovation ecosystem with research collaborations and access to specialized talent. The city’s growing medtech sector provides expanding job opportunities, competitive salaries, and a collaborative work culture tailored to engineering professionals.
While West Lafayette has a niche but growing demand for electrical design engineers, competition remains moderate due to the presence of premier research institutions and startups. Candidates with advanced degrees and hands-on experience in medical device development typically stand out.
Cook Medical blends the agility of a startup with the stability of a large organization, encouraging innovation alongside structured processes. Engineers benefit from a supportive environment fostering creativity while emphasizing quality and regulatory compliance crucial in healthcare technology.
This position at Cook Medical uniquely combines hands-on prototype development with intellectual property involvement, requiring engineers to contribute to patentable innovations. The role’s focus on unmet clinical needs also sets it apart by aligning engineering efforts directly with patient health outcomes.
Salaries for this role typically range from $85,000 to $110,000 annually, depending on experience and educational background. The compensation reflects the specialized skills in medical device R&D and the local cost of living, positioning it competitively within the regional engineering market.
While a master's or PhD is preferred, certifications in medical device quality systems or regulatory standards like IEC 60601 can significantly boost credibility. Demonstrated expertise in PCB design and embedded systems also strengthens candidacy in this highly technical environment.
As medtech innovation accelerates, engineers in this role will increasingly integrate AI/ML models and advanced signal processing into device development. The position is likely to expand into interdisciplinary collaborations, focusing on smarter, more adaptive medical solutions aligned with emerging clinical needs.