Director, Software Engineering & AI

Job description

Careers that change lives start here. Medtronic is a global leader in healthcare technology with a Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. Our 95,000 employees work across more than 150 countries to put patients first — developing innovative medical technologies that improve the lives of 72+ million patients each year. Your unique talents will help shape the future of healthcare while building a career grounded in purpose, growth, and impact. A Day in the LifeThe Director – Software & AI is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving software engineering excellence and accelerating AI adoption across the R&D Software & Systems organization. This role sits at the intersection of software engineering, AI/ML, data science, and scalable product development, acting as a force multiplier for global operating units. The leader will define and execute the Software & AI roadmap, establish world-class engineering practices, and build a high-performance organization that delivers scalable, high-quality, and compliant software solutions aligned to global standards.Key Responsibilities 1. Strategy & Transformation In partnership with MEIC R&D leader, formulate and drive the Software Excellence & AI strategy and roadmap aligned with enterprise and OU priorities Lead digital transformation initiatives including automation, AI adoption, and engineering productivity improvements Translate enterprise AI vision into MEIC AI execution frameworks and scalable AI-enabled delivery models Establish software excellence frameworks across SDLC, quality, metrics, and governance 2. Engineering Excellence Drive best-in-class practices in:Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) Agile / SAFe methodologies DevSecOps, CI/CD, and test automation Software quality, metrics, and reliability Ensure delivery of scalable, secure, and high-quality software systems Define and implement engineering metrics dashboards and continuous improvement programs 3. AI/ML & Digital Innovation Partner with global & local partners to embed AI into products, processes, and operations Drive AI/ML, development, and deployment across products and platforms. Drive Fast scalable AI tools within MDT compliance and allowed LLMs Drive adoption of data science, advanced analytics, and AI-enabled solutions Oversee end-to-end AI lifecycle (data engineering, modeling, deployment, monitoring) AI upskilling, Metrics measurement, traceability and reporting along with MEIC cross functional teams 4. Stakeholder Collaboration Stakeholder Collaboration in partnership with ER&D Leaders at MEIC : Drive AI enabled Digital Engg , SW Engg productivity and automated digital traceability 5. Organization & Talent Leadership Build and scale a high-performing Software & AI organization Lead hiring (including Sr. Principal / Distinguished Engineers) and capability development Drive talent strategy, coaching, and leadership development Drive Communities of Practice and upskilling programs in AI and software excellence Foster a culture of innovation, quality, and continuous improvement Qualifications & Experience Education Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Electronics, AI/Data Science, or related field Master’s degree preferred Experience 20+ years in software engineering and product development 10+ years in leadership roles managing large, global engineering teams Proven experience in:Software product development AI/ML strategy and deployment Digital transformation and engineering excellence initiatives Experience in regulated industries (e.g., MedTech) preferred Key Skills & Competencies Strong expertise in software architecture, cloud, and distributed systems Deep knowledge of AI/ML, data platforms, and large-scale computing Experience with Agile, DevOps, CI/CD, and engineering metrics Ability to lead large, complex, cross-functional programs Strong business acumen and stakeholder management Proven track record in driving innovation and organizational transformation Differentiating Leadership Expectations Strategic thinker with ability to influence enterprise-level decisions “Leader-as-expert” with strong technical depth and architectural judgment Ability to operate in a matrixed global environment and drive alignment High ownership with autonomy in decision-making and execution 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. ‌ Recruitment Fraud Alert We are aware of phishing scams targeting job seekers. Please keep the following in mind: Apply only through official Medtronic channels. All legitimate Medtronic recruiting communications come from approved Medtronic platforms and official @medtronic.com email addresses. Medtronic will never ask for payment or sensitive personal information (such as bank account or Social Security details) during early stages of the hiring process. Any such requests are not legitimate. If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from Medtronic, do not respond, click links, or open attachments. If you have any questions, concerns regarding the authenticity of a communication alleged to have been made by or on behalf of Medtronic, please contact us immediately at AskHR@medtronic.com. ‌ Benefits & CompensationMedtronic 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). This position is eligible for an annual long-term incentive plan.