Risevoic
Senior Research & Development Engineer
Company : Cook Medical
Location : Bloomington, IN, 47404
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 3 January 2026
Overview
A Senior Engineer is a leader in the department tasked with solving engineering problems, developing new products and processes, and leading engineering or company projects. This position will be based out of the Bloomington, IN location working in a hybrid capacity. The primary function of this position is to support, from a manufacturing lens, the successful transition of externally sourced products and raw materials from concept through commercialization. This role will work closely with internal design and development teams, while serving as a key technical interface with external vendors and manufacturing partners.
The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented engineering professional with a solid understanding of design for manufacturability (DFM), tooling and mold flow analysis, process development, and validation practices. This individual will play a critical role in reviewing and challenging supplier strategies to ensure product quality, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness.
Find out more about Cook Medical here
Responsibilities
- Act as the R&D lead for vendor and supplier oversight throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Collaborate closely with internal design and development engineers to align on product requirements and design intent.
- Provide technical input on defining project priorities and company product goals, within the context of supplier manufacturing strategies and capabilities.
- Review and provide feedback on: Design for Manufacturability analyses, Tooling and mold flow analyses, process development plans, characterization protocols, process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) protocols, reports and results.
- Assist in reviewing and scrutinizing supplier quotations and cost breakdowns, including product per piece pricing and project-related costs.
- Identify and solve department, system-level problems, within the context of supplier manufacturing strategies and capabilities.
- Contribute technical/scientific expertise and direction to department engineers and other company business functions.
- Assume responsibility for interpreting data, organizing, executing, and coordinating project activities.
- Lead large scale or multiple engineering projects with a high degree of independence.
- Act as a mentor to other personnel in the Engineering department.
- Provide technical and strategic input on managing company intellectual property relevant to area of work.
- Must work and interact effectively and professionally with and for others throughout various levels of the global organization.
- Communicate technically complex information clearly, concisely and appropriately for a range of audiences. Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence both internal and external parties.
- Challenge assumptions, design and manufacturing process decisions constructively while helping the team make progress amid ambiguity
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field.
Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience.
Strong practical knowledge or project management principles.
Experience using analytical skills and problem solving.
Preferred Qualifications:
- In-depth knowledge of manufacturing processes (injection molding, machining, assembly, etc.) and associated validation activities.
- Experience with design for manufacturability, mold/tooling reviews and supplier qualification.
- Experience scrutinizing or generating
Physical Requirements/Work Environment:
- Works under general office environmental conditions
- Sitting for extended periods, utilizes close visual acuity for working with computers, etc.
- Must be able to travel globally.
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Frequently asked questions
In Bloomington, IN, a Research & Development Engineer often balances hands-on process development with supplier collaboration, especially within medical device manufacturing hubs like Cook Medical. The role emphasizes transitioning products from concept to commercialization, requiring expertise in manufacturability and global vendor coordination.
Mastering design for manufacturability, tooling and mold flow analysis, and validation protocols are essential. Additionally, leadership in cross-functional project management and supplier strategy evaluation play a significant role in career progression within senior R&D engineering positions.
Daily challenges include troubleshooting manufacturing issues during product transitions, ensuring supplier compliance with technical specifications, and balancing cost-effectiveness with quality. Clear communication across internal teams and external partners is critical to successfully navigate complex project demands.
Cook Medical emphasizes leadership in vendor oversight and technical interface with manufacturing partners globally. The role uniquely blends engineering expertise with strategic input on intellectual property and product lifecycle management within the medical device sector.
The company fosters a collaborative and innovative environment, expecting engineers to constructively challenge assumptions and drive progress amid ambiguity. This culture requires professionals to be adaptable communicators and mentors, shaping both technical solutions and team dynamics.
Senior R&D Engineers in Bloomington typically earn between $95,000 and $130,000 annually, reflecting the region's competitive medical manufacturing market. Salaries vary based on experience, project scope, and leadership responsibilities within companies like Cook Medical.
Certifications related to Six Sigma, project management (PMP), or specialized training in injection molding and process validation are highly regarded. These credentials complement a mechanical or biomedical engineering degree and enhance credibility with local suppliers and manufacturing partners.
Bloomington boasts a robust medical manufacturing cluster, creating steady demand for senior development engineers. While opportunities are plentiful, candidates with expertise in supplier qualification and cross-functional leadership have a distinct advantage due to high competition.
In medical device R&D, engineers must integrate regulatory understanding with process validation and tooling expertise. Unlike broader engineering roles, there's a stronger emphasis on supplier management, product lifecycle oversight, and ensuring compliance with stringent quality standards.
Senior engineers at Cook Medical are expected to mentor junior staff, fostering technical skill development and leadership growth. This mentorship cultivates a collaborative culture that accelerates innovation and prepares future engineering leaders within the company.