Principal Chemist
Medtronic
At Medtronic you can begin a life-long career of exploration and innovation, while helping champion healthcare access and equity for all. You’ll lead with purpose, breaking down barriers to innovation in a more connected, compassionate world.
A Day in the Life
Act boldly. Compete to win. Move with speed and decisiveness. Foster belonging. Deliver results…the right way. That’s the Medtronic Mindset — our cultural norms. Our brand is rooted in action, not just words. The Medtronic Mindset defines the expectations of our culture. Every person here plays a role in bringing it to life. We recognize your extraordinary potential to ensure future generations live better, healthier lives.
The Principal Analytical Chemist is a senior individual contributor within an analytical chemistry team operating under ISO 17025 and ISO 13485 quality systems in the medical device environment. This role provides hands‑on technical leadership in analytical testing, method development, and validation in support of Research, Development, and Manufacturing programs that enable safe, effective, and reliable products.
As a principal‑level scientist, you will act as a technical opinion leader—partnering closely with internal clients, independently designing and executing analytical studies, and ensuring data quality and regulatory compliance. You will also help shape analytical practices, mentor other scientists, and influence how work is prioritized and delivered across the group.
At Medtronic, we bring bold ideas forward with speed and decisiveness to put patients first in everything we do. In-person exchanges are invaluable to our work. We’re working a minimum of 4 days a week onsite as part of our commitment to fostering a culture of professional growth and cross-functional collaboration as we work together to engineer the extraordinary.
Responsibilities may include the following and other duties may be assigned.
Technical Execution & Leadership
Independently design, execute, and report analytical studies, including sample preparation, data interpretation, and clear communication of results.
Develop, optimize, and validate analytical test methods in alignment with FDA, USP, ICH, and medical device validation expectations.
Apply a strong understanding of scientific principles to ensure methods are robust, efficient, and fit for purpose across a variety of material types.
Serve as a subject matter expert for assigned analytical techniques and problem domains.
Client & Project Leadership
Partner with R&D and manufacturing stakeholders to understand technical questions, define appropriate studies, and establish realistic timelines.
Triage and scope work requests, balancing technical rigor, business needs, and laboratory capacity.
Lead complex projects, including delegating work, reviewing data and reports, and ensuring high‑quality deliverables.
Quality & Compliance
Perform analytical work within cGMP, ISO 17025, ISO 13485, and other regulated quality systems.
Author and review technical documentation, including protocols, validation reports, and analytical summaries.
Support inspections, audits, investigations, and continuous improvement activities as needed.
Team Development & Continuous Improvement
Provide technical guidance, coaching, and informal mentorship to other chemists and analysts.
Contribute to the development of new processes, standards, or best practices that improve laboratory effectiveness and reliability.
Influence the technical direction of the group through expertise, collaboration, and example.
Must Have: Minimum Requirements
To be considered for this role, please ensure the minimum requirements are evident in your applicant profile.
Requires a Bachelors degree in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline and minimum of 7 years of relevant experience OR Master's degree in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience OR PhD in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline with 3 years relevant experience.
Nice to Have
Depth in one or more of the following analytical techniques:
Surface area and particle size analysis
Electrochemistry or battery‑related testing
Wet chemistry (e.g., titrations, pH, conductivity, viscosity, density)
Karl Fischer moisture analysis
Demonstrated experience in analytical method development, validation, and authoring/reviewing analytical test reports and technical documentation.
Proven ability to work independently, manage complex technical projects, and deliver results with minimal supervision.
Strong data analysis, mathematical reasoning, and laboratory problem‑solving skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel for data analysis and reporting.
Experience in analytical chemistry within a regulated environment (medical device, pharmaceutical, or similar), with strong working knowledge of cGMP, FDA, ICH, ISO 17025, and ISO 13485 requirements.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across disciplines.
Experience supporting both R&D and manufacturing programs.
Experience mentoring or providing technical direction to other scientists or analysts.
For Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) is required.
Physical Job Requirements
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position.
The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.
U.S. Work Authorization & Sponsorship
At Medtronic, we are committed to fostering an environment where employees can thrive and make a meaningful impact. In alignment with our enterprise-wide workforce planning approach, U.S. work authorization sponsorship (H-1B, TN, J, etc.) is offered exclusively for Principal-level roles and above, where specialized expertise aligns with long-term business needs. Roles below the Principal level require candidates to possess unrestricted U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and for the duration of employment.
Join us in our mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life—where your unique background and perspective are valued.
Benefits & Compensation
Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package
A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create. We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage.
This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP).The base salary range is applicable across the United States, excluding Puerto Rico and specific locations in California. The offered rate complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as experience, certification/education, market conditions, and location. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others).
The following benefits and additional compensation are available to those regular employees who work 20+ hours per week: Health, Dental and vision insurance, Health Savings Account, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Life insurance, Long-term disability leave, Dependent daycare spending account, Tuition assistance/reimbursement, and Simple Steps (global well-being program).
The following benefits and additional compensation are available to all regular employees: Incentive plans, 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match, Short-term disability, Paid time off, Paid holidays, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Assistance Program, Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums), and Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums).
Regular employees are those who are not temporary, such as interns. Temporary employees are eligible for paid sick time, as required under applicable state law, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Please note some of the above benefits may not apply to workers in Puerto Rico.
Further details are available at the link below:
Medtronic benefits and compensation plans
About Medtronic
We lead global healthcare technology and boldly attack the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions.
Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people.
We are engineers at heart— putting ambitious ideas to work to generate real solutions for real people. From the R&D lab, to the factory floor, to the conference room, every one of us experiments, creates, builds, improves and solves. We have the talent, diverse perspectives, and guts to engineer the extraordinary.
Learn more about our business, mission, and our commitment to diversity here.
It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
If you are applying to perform work for Medtronic, Inc. (“Medtronic”) in any position which will involve performing at least two (2) hours of work on average each week within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, you can find here a list of all material job duties of the specific job position which Medtronic reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. Medtronic will consider for employment qualified job applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.