Risevoic
Senior Research Engineer
Company : Cook Medical
Location : West Lafayette, IN, 47906
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 13 January 2026
Overview
The Senior Research Engineer, at Med Institute, will be responsible for various aspects of the medical device product development process, including but not limited to product design, prototype development, design controls, and design verification and validation testing. Previous medical device development experience is highly desirable.
Responsibilities
This position requires a technically sound engineer capable of driving a project to completion with minimal supervision. A qualified candidate should be able to build a design control from the ground up, perform independent research, communicate well with clients, and develop and validate new test methods. This position also requires well-controlled documentation, including written protocols and reports, data forms, and laboratory notebooks. Other activities may include standard committee involvement and marketing and sales of our services.
- Design, document, prototype, and evaluate component and system level designs for new medical products as part of an integrated development team.
- Develop/refine manufacturing processes for devices in collaboration with project teams
- Interact with management and technical leadership to plan, complete and report results of experiments, tests, prototype development, literature surveys, etc. that contribute to projects.
- Assure project deliverables & tasks are technically excellent and completed in a timely fashion.
- Document deliverables and other activities in design history file.
- Maintain and develop the technical capabilities necessary to provide technical solutions to project needs
Qualifications
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical, Electrical, Biomedical Engineering or comparable background, experience with medical device design controls, and 5+ years of experience required.
- Innovative: Proven ability to innovate in the development of interventional medical devices and creating solutions to technical problems with an eye toward providing practical solutions in a timely manner.
- Task Oriented: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate the completion of deliverables and tasks.
- Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, record-keeping and interpersonal skills is needed.
- Professional: The ability to remain professional and positive in all personal interactions, and provide an example of good work ethic, a willingness to help, and personal discipline in achieving goals.
- Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States. MED Institute does not intend to provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B or TN) for this employment position.
Related Jobs
Senior Research Assistant/Research Associate
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, OR
Popular Searches for Senior Research Engineer
Frequently asked questions
West Lafayette has a growing but specialized market for senior research engineers focused on medical devices. The presence of research institutes and medical tech firms like Cook Medical heightens competition, but expert candidates with biomedical engineering experience and design control skills remain in high demand locally.
While formal certifications are not always mandatory, credentials in biomedical engineering, regulatory affairs, or quality assurance (such as ASQ certifications) are highly respected in West Lafayette's medical device community. These enhance credibility and align well with design control and validation expectations.
A senior research engineer stands out by combining deep expertise in prototype design, independent research, and mastery of design verification. Unlike general engineers, they lead projects with minimal oversight, innovate practical solutions rapidly, and maintain rigorous documentation, crucial for medical device compliance.
Research engineers focus more on early-stage design, prototype evaluation, and experimental testing, while senior systems or integration engineers often concentrate on system-wide coordination and integration challenges. Research engineers also spend significant time on detailed documentation and validation to meet stringent medical standards.
Senior research engineers in West Lafayette typically earn between $95,000 and $125,000 annually, influenced by experience and specific expertise in medical device design controls. This range reflects local demand, cost of living, and the specialized nature of biomedical engineering roles in the region.
Cook Medical emphasizes practical innovation, requiring senior research engineers to rapidly translate ideas into workable prototypes while adhering to strict design controls. This culture demands engineers who are self-driven, meticulous in documentation, and capable of collaborating across technical and management teams to meet ambitious project goals.
Working at Cook Medical involves navigating a fast-paced environment where independent problem-solving meets strict regulatory compliance. Engineers must balance creativity with thorough validation and maintain high-level communication with clients and stakeholders, setting this role apart from other firms with less integrated development teams.
Progression often moves from hands-on prototype development to project leadership roles, such as senior project engineer or research manager. Building expertise in cross-functional coordination, regulatory processes, and innovative design solutions opens doors to higher responsibility positions within medical device companies.