Senior Systems Engineer

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: R&D Software/Systems Engineering Job Category: Scientific/Technology All Job Posting Locations: Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America, Raynham, Massachusetts, United States of America Job Description: About Orthopaedics Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we’re developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments. Are you passionate about improving and expanding the possibilities of Orthopaedics? Ready to join a team that’s reimagining how we heal? Our Orthopaedics teams help keep more than 6 million people moving each year while delivering clinical and economic value to surgeons and healthcare systems. Our teams build solutions for joint reconstruction; trauma and craniomaxillofacial; sports, extremities, and elective foot and ankle; spine; and robotics and digital surgery. Your unique talents will help patients on their journey to wellness. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/medtech We are searching for Senior System Engineer to be based out of Boston, Massachusetts, USA or Raynham, Massachusetts with in office expectations of a minimum of 3 days per week. Purpose: The Senior System Engineer, Advanced Technology is an experienced individual contributor responsible for defining, integrating, and evaluating advanced technology prototypes and proofs of concept for surgical robotics and digital orthopedic applications. This role focuses on foundational technologies, early feasibility assessment, and integration of external advanced technology components. This position partners closely with Advanced Technology, R&D, clinical, and external innovation partners to translate technology hypotheses and early opportunity assessments into structured feasibility plans, prototype requirements, and prototype demonstration plans. The role enables evidence-based decisions on technology maturation and integration potential. The Senior System Engineer leads system definition and demonstration planning for exploratory technology projects, including prototype architecture development, integration of external technology components, and assessment of early prototypes, generally operating with a high degree of autonomy. The role emphasizes rapid learning, rigorous technical evaluation, and clear documentation of risks, limitations, and recommendations. While this role does not directly develop commercial products, it applies appropriate medical device engineering rigor, risk-based thinking, and quality principles to prototype and proof-of-concept activities. This role requires strong hands-on system integration capabilities and experience supporting prototype demonstrations, with the ability to work across ambiguous early-stage concepts, benchtop systems, and simulated use environments. Job Responsibilities: Define and drive system definition and demonstration strategy for advanced technology prototypes and proofs of concept, including architecture, integration approach, and success criteria. Develop and document prototype requirements, translating technology hypotheses and early user needs into clear, verifiable criteria. Collaborate across R&D, clinical, quality, regulatory, and engineering disciplines to assess technology feasibility and integration potential. Work hands-on with prototypes, demonstration setups, and experimental platforms to accelerate technical learning and decision-making. Develop prototype system architectures integrating external technologies, electromechanical subsystems, software, sensing, and controls. Apply risk-based engineering judgment to identify prototype hazards, technical limitations, and evidence gaps. Define system behaviors, demonstration scenarios, performance metrics, and acceptance criteria for feasibility studies, working with a high degree of independence. Plan and execute feasibility and characterization studies for foundational technologies and early prototypes in lab or simulated use environments. Lead technical reviews of prototypes and technology options, contributing to discussions on assumptions, risks, and trade-offs. Define prototype interfaces to ensure compatibility, demonstration readiness, and safe integration across subsystems. Apply robust experimental design and data-driven evaluation methods, including statistical analysis and repeatability assessment. Characterize prototype performance, durability, accuracy, and failure modes under representative experimental conditions. Support documentation of feasibility results, limitations, and integration risks for technology transition decisions. Investigate prototype anomalies observed during demonstrations, lead root cause analysis, and help define corrective actions. Assist in performing select verification or characterization tests on prototypes as needed, supporting the broader test team with hands-on execution and data collection. Partner with the Project Manager to prepare, plan, and lead cadaveric specimen testing of prototypes, coordinating logistics, protocols, and technical readiness for these studies. Operate effectively in a fast-paced, agile advanced technology environment, adapting plans quickly as priorities evolve. Support advanced technology planning, including prototype build plans and feasibility schedules, and provide technical guidance to less experienced engineers. Prepare and deliver prototype demonstrations for internal stakeholders, leadership, and external partners, ensuring prototypes are demonstration-ready and clearly showcase key capabilities and learnings. Support Voice of Customer (VoC) activities and surgeon engagement events by preparing prototypes, coordinating logistics, and capturing structured feedback to inform technology maturation. Qualifications/Requirements: Bachelor's or master's degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or related field. 5+ years of experience in multidisciplinary systems engineering, prototype development, or applied research. Experience with Class II or Class III medical devices, surgical robotics, navigation, or digital surgery is preferred. Prior exposure to assisting with test execution (e.g., bench testing, verification testing) is a plus. Knowledge of embedded systems, software/firmware development, electromechanical systems, sensing technologies, or controls is a plus. Strong understanding of systems engineering, prototype development, and demonstration planning principles. Experience with requirements, demonstration planning, and technical documentation tools. Familiarity with prototyping and automation tools and scripting languages (e.g., Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB) is a plus. Excellent technical writing and demonstration reporting skills. Strong hands-on mindset, collaborative working style, and intellectual curiosity for emerging technologies. Ability to assist in performing tests (e.g., bench, verification, or characterization tests) and accurately recording results under the guidance of test engineering leads. Proficient in statistical methods for analyzing data. Johnson & Johnson announced plans t