Associate Director Engineering
In-Office, Milpitas, Santa Clara County, CA
- Job ID
- R-544246
- Category
- Engineering
- Location
- Milpitas, California
Build an engineering career where innovation, ownership and impact move healthcare forward
At BD, Engineering and R&D professionals design, develop and improve the technologies that shape how healthcare is delivered worldwide. You'll apply scientific thinking, technical expertise and creative problem-solving to turn complex challenges into solutions that matter.
Whether you specialize in mechanical, electrical, process, systems, software or research engineering, BD offers the scale, resources and freedom to innovate – with clear expectations, accountability for outcomes and opportunities to grow your career alongside industry-leading technology.
And as one of the world's largest medical technology companies, you'll shape solutions that reach across global healthcare systems and improve lives at scale.
We are the people who give possibilities purpose
BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.
Job Description
Position Summary
The Associate Director of Engineering is the senior engineering leader at the site level, responsible for engineering execution, technical governance, and performance. This role leads and manages site engineering functions supporting manufacturing, sustaining engineering, product lifecycle management, and operational excellence, while ensuring compliance with quality, regulatory, and safety requirements.
The Associate Director of Engineering partners closely with Operations, R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, and global engineering leadership to support instrument supply assurance, new product introductions (NPI), technology transfer, cost reduction initiatives, and product lifecycle governance. This role owns engineering delivery at the site, ensuring products are manufactured safely, compliantly, on time, and at target cost and quality.
Key Responsibilities
Site Engineering Leadership
Lead, manage, and develop the site engineering organization, including manufacturing engineering, sustaining engineering, and technical support functions.
Establish clear priorities, goals, and performance expectations aligned with site and business objectives.
Build engineering capability, talent depth, and succession plans to support current and future business needs.
Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and high technical standards.
Manufacturing & Operations Support
Provide overall technical leadership for manufacturing processes supporting Waters Biosciences instruments.
Partner with Operations leadership to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets.
Support manufacturing throughput, yield improvement, cycle time reduction, and product reliability initiatives.
Ensure engineering support for day‑to‑day production, system and sub‑assembly testing, and issue resolution.
Lead or support capital equipment justification, selection, and implementation to improve productivity or replace obsolete assets.
Sustaining Engineering & Cost Reduction
Own and execute the site’s sustaining engineering portfolio, ensuring work is prioritized and aligned with business needs.
Lead value engineering, redesign, PPV improvement, and cost‑reduction initiatives for existing instrument platforms.
Drive disciplined problem‑solving using root cause analysis, CI, and Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.
Ensure effective execution of ECOs, MRBs, and CAPAs in collaboration with Quality, Manufacturing, and R&D.
New Product Introduction & Technology Transfer
Partner with R&D to support successful transfer of new Biosciences instruments into manufacturing.
Ensure manufacturing readiness, including processes, tooling, documentation, test strategies, and training.
Provide site representation in cross‑functional NPI and platform governance forums.
Support integration of acquisitions or new technologies into site manufacturing operations as required.
Product Lifecycle Governance
Support product lifecycle management activities, including sustainment, transitions, and end‑of‑life execution.
Participate in project proposal reviews, portfolio prioritization, and lifecycle decision‑making forums.
Ensure site engineering alignment with global lifecycle strategies for Waters instruments.
Supplier & Supply Chain Engineering Support
Provide engineering support for supplier selection, qualification, and ongoing performance management.
Partner with Supply Chain and Quality to address supplier quality issues and implement corrective actions.
Ensure critical features, inspection points, and test requirements are defined and embedded in manufacturing and QC processes.
Technical Standards, Systems & Documentation
Maintain ownership of engineering drawings, technical documentation, and drawing control systems at the site.
Ensure compliance with engineering standards, design control requirements, and documentation practices.
Develop and apply site‑specific engineering frameworks and best practices aligned with global standards.
Quality, Regulatory & Safety Compliance
Ensure engineering activities comply with applicable quality systems and regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, ISO).
Provide technical support for audits, inspections, and regulatory inquiries.
Ensure adherence to EH&S requirements and promote a strong safety culture across all engineering areas.
Support GMP, design control, change management, and risk management processes.
Financial & Operational Management
Develop and manage site engineering budgets, forecasts, and operating plans.
Provide cost estimates, run‑rate analysis, and input to annual operating and strategic planning processes.
Track and report engineering performance metrics to Operations and senior leadership.
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
10–12+ years of progressive engineering experience in manufacturing, sustaining engineering, or product development.
4+ years of people management experience leading engineering teams in a manufacturing environment.
Strong experience supporting electro‑mechanical instrumentation or complex manufacturing systems.
Demonstrated success managing multiple engineering projects in a regulated, matrixed environment.
Experience working cross‑functionally with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and R&D.
Excellent communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills.
Preferred
Master’s degree, MBA, or advanced technical degree.
PMP and/or Six Sigma (Black Belt or DFSS) certification.
Experience in life sciences, biotechnology, diagnostics, or analytical instrumentation industries.
Strong working knowledge of FDA, ISO 13485, GMP, and design control environments.
Experience supporting global manufacturing or contract manufacturing partners.
At BD, we prioritize on-site collaboration because we believe it fosters creativity, innovation, and effective problem-solving, which are essential in the fast-paced healthcare industry. For most roles, we require a minimum of 4 days of in-office presence per week to maintain our culture of excellence and ensure smooth operations, while also recognizing the importance of flexibility and work-life balance. Remote or field-based positions will have different workplace arrangements which will be indicated in the job posting.
For certain roles at BD, employment is contingent upon the Company’s receipt of sufficient proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In some locations, testing for COVID-19 may be available and/or required. Consistent with BD’s Workplace Accommodations Policy, requests for accommodation will be considered pursuant to applicable law.
Why Join Us?
To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of healthcare. At BD, you’ll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive.
We believe that when people connect in person, we learn faster, collaborate more deeply, and build a stronger culture. Join us and enjoy a culture where face-to-face collaboration supports your learning, your progress, and your success.
To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers.
Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
Required Skills
Optional Skills
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Primary Work Location
USA CA - Milpitas 155Additional Locations
Work Shift
At BD, we reward, support and develop our associates through our comprehensive Total Rewards program. We are committed to attracting and retaining high quality talent by providing reward and recognition opportunities that promote a performance-based culture, as well as a competitive package of compensation and benefits programs. You can learn more on our career site under "Our Commitment to You."
Our salary or hourly rate ranges reward associates fairly and competitively. We regularly review these ranges and factors, such as location, contribute to the range displayed.
Our pay is based on the role and the necessary skills and education to perform it successfully. The salary or hourly rate offered is determined by the role's specific requirements, including any applicable step rate pay system at the work location. Salary or hourly pay ranges are influenced by labor laws and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) requirements applicable to the work location which may also affect the workplace arrangement of the role.
Salary Range Information
$183,800.00 - $294,100.00 USD AnnualSuccess Profile
What sets successful Engineering and R&D professionals apart? You're likely to thrive if you are:
- Analytical
- Collaborative
- Curious
- Detail-oriented
- Inventive
- Problem-solver
Ready for your next challenge?
This is an environment for engineers who want to think boldly and execute with precision. You'll have the opportunity to influence design decisions, contribute across the full product lifecycle and see how your work moves from concept to real-world impact – backed by the scale of a global MedTech leader.
Hear from one of our BD Innovators about how BD uses cutting-edge AI and machine learning to power decisions that improve patient outcomes and expand access to care. This is where your work drives real-time impact across the globe.
Hear from Our Associates
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"BD is a big, global company so don't be afraid to connect with and reach out to others. There is so much to learn here, and the company does an amazing job of helping people develop and grow. I'd also offer to become like a sponge and soak up as much knowledge as you can and put your Career Blueprint to work for you. I really love my job and am so grateful to work at BD."
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"I think we have something like more than 30 different countries represented by those working within the Research Centre Ireland, which is impressive and one of my favourite things about BD. I work with electrical, mechanical engineers, scientists and so many others – it's wonderful to see and hear so many different perspectives during the day."
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"I continue to be amazed at how we keep innovating in the Med Tech space. We constantly evaluate how to bring even more solutions to healthcare professionals, how to increase the efficiency of our technologies, all while keeping the patient impact in mind. Not only have I found meaningful work at BD, but a place where I feel I can thrive."
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"During my interview, I learned how much of an impact our infusion solutions have across the world and I was impressed because whether it's analgesics, cancer treatments, anesthesia or other treatments, the likelihood of someone within your own family using our product is high. Contributing to the creation of products that have the ability to make such a big impact in healthcare is a great feeling. I love my role at BD."
Benefits
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Competitive Compensation
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Retirement Plans
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Healthcare Coverage
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Paid Time Off
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Parental Leave
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Employee Assistance Program
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Rewards & Recognition
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