Director of Bioengineering

Job description

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit. Job Function: R&D Product Development Job Sub Function: Biomedical Engineering Job Category: People Leader All Job Posting Locations: Irvine, California, United States of America Job Description: Johnson & Johnson is recruiting for a Director, Bioengineering. At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/. Job Summary This leader will establish and guide a core bioengineering function that integrates computational modeling, waveform and sequence development, bench characterization, preclinical evaluation, and external scientific collaboration. The role is intended to deepen the organization’s understanding of the biology and physics of pulsed field ablation while translating that knowledge into robust catheter designs, optimized energy-delivery strategies, and differentiated therapeutic performance. Key Responsibilities 1. Lead Sequence Development and Computational Modeling for Next-Generation PFA Devices Build and lead a high-performing team responsible for developing pulsed field ablation sequences, waveform strategies, and dosing approaches for next-generation electrophysiology ablation platforms. Establish advanced simulation capabilities using COMSOL Multiphysics and other modeling tools to predict electric field distribution, thermal effects, tissue response, lesion formation, and catheter-tissue interactions. Develop and apply multiphysics models that integrate electrical, thermal, fluidic, mechanical, and biological considerations relevant to pulsed field ablation. Translate computational insights into actionable design inputs for catheter architecture, electrode configuration, energy delivery, sequence optimization, and clinical workflow. Create a scalable modeling framework that can support rapid iteration across catheter designs, energy-delivery recipes, and intended clinical use cases and worflows. 2. Lead Bench Testing, Characterization, and Test Method Development Build and lead a team responsible for bench testing and characterization of ablation catheters and associated energy-delivery strategies. Design, develop, and validate new test setups and test methods to evaluate catheter performance, lesion formation, electric field behavior, thermal profile, fluidic behavior, and ablation consistency. Use bench data to validate computational simulations, refine modeling assumptions, and establish a disciplined feedback loop between modeling, prototype development, and experimental characterization. Partner with product development teams to evaluate evolving catheter designs, identify performance tradeoffs, and guide design improvements through quantitative data and engineering judgment. Ensure test methods are scientifically sound, reproducible, appropriately documented, and aligned with R&D, preclinical, quality, and regulatory expectations. 3. Enable Preclinical Evaluation of Catheters in Development Lead a group that enables preclinical testing of ablation catheters as designs evolve through multiple iterations from early concept through design freeze and development milestones. Define preclinical study objectives, endpoints, and evaluation strategies that generate meaningful evidence on lesion quality, durability, safety margins, tissue selectivity, and collateral tissue effects. Partner closely with preclinical operations, clinical science, regulatory, quality, and product development teams to ensure studies are designed to answer critical technical and translational questions. Integrate preclinical findings with simulation and bench-testing outputs to guide catheter design, sequence development, and risk-benefit assessment. Establish disciplined review processes to ensure that preclinical learnings are captured, communicated, and translated into clear development decisions. 4. Advance Internal and External Scientific Collaboration Establish and lead a scientific engagement strategy with internal experts, academic collaborators, research institutions, key opinion leaders, and external scientific partners to advance the field of pulsed field ablation. Drive research efforts that deepen understanding of the biology and physics underlying irreversible electroporation, tissue selectivity, lesion durability, therapeutic windows, safety considerations, and waveform-dependent tissue response. Identify emerging scientific questions and technology opportunities that can inform future product strategy, intellectual property, clinical differentiation, and next-generation platform development. Represent the organization in technical discussions, scientific reviews, collaborative research forums, and cross-functional strategy discussions related to pulsed field ablation and bioengineering innovation. Promote a culture of scientific rigor, curiosity, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making across internal and external research activities. Leadership Expectations Set a clear technical vision for the Bioengineering function and translate that vision into executable priorities, organizational capabilities, and measurable outcomes. Recruit, develop, and mentor a diverse team of engineers and scientists with expertise in bioengineering, computational modeling, electroporation, catheter development, thermal sciences, test method development, and translational research. Operate as a senior technical leader across R&D, ensuring strong alignment with product development, clinical, regulatory, quality, medical affairs, marketing, operations, and external scientific partners. Balance long-term scientific exploration with the practical needs of product development timelines, design decisions, and business priorities. Foster a culture of accountability, technical excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. Qualifications Required Masters or PhD in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biophysics, Applied Physics, or a related scientific or engineering discipline; PhD strongly preferred. A minimum of 10 years of experience leading technical teams in medical device R&D, electrophysiology, ablation technologies, electroporation, computational modeling, or related fields. Demonstrated experience with multiphysics modeling, finite element analysis, or simulation-based product development; experience with COMSOL Multiphysics preferred. Strong understanding of experimental design, bench testing, test method development, and validation of computational models through physical testing. Experience translating complex scientific and engineering concepts into practical product-development decisions. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams a