Thoratec Switzerland GmbH

Zurich

Sr Operations & NPI Engineer

  • 04 September 2026
  • 100%
  • Permanent position
  • Zurich

Job summary

Join Abbott's Heart Failure team as a Senior Operations Engineer. Shape the future of Circulatory Support Systems.

Tasks

  • Lead new product transfers from R&D to manufacturing efficiently.
  • Develop manufacturing processes and documentation for new products.
  • Collaborate globally to influence design and manufacturing strategies.

Skills

  • Bachelor's or Master's in relevant engineering fields required.
  • Experience in New Product Introduction and manufacturing processes.
  • Familiarity with ERP, statistical analysis, and continuous improvement.

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About the job

<p><b>Senior Operations & NPI Engineer – New Product Introduction</b> </p><p></p><p><span><b>Shape the Future of Mechanical Circulatory Support</b></span></p><p></p><p><span>Join <b>Abbott's Heart Failure</b> business and play a key role in bringing the next generation of <b>Circulatory Support Systems</b> from development into global manufacturing.</span></p><p></p><p>As a <b>Senior Operations & NPI Engineer,</b> you will lead the industrialization, validation, and manufacturing scale-up of complex electromechanical medical devices that directly support critically ill cardiac patients. This is a highly visible role with the opportunity to influence product design, manufacturing strategy, supplier readiness, and production ramp-up from early development through commercial launch. </p><p></p><p>A unique aspect of this position is the close collaboration between our teams in Zurich, Switzerland and Pleasanton, California. Working as part of a highly integrated global organization, you will partner with experts across R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and Supplier Engineering to bring innovative technologies to market. </p><p></p><p>If you enjoy solving complex technical challenges, working hands-on with manufacturing processes, and turning innovative concepts into scalable products that improve patients' lives, we'd love to hear from you. </p><p></p><p><b>What You'll Do</b> </p><ul><li><p>Lead the transfer of new products from R&D into manufacturing, ensuring a smooth transition from prototype and low-volume production to scalable serial production.</p></li><li><p>Develop and implement manufacturing processes, production workflows, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation for new products.</p></li><li><p>Define manufacturing requirements and provide Design for Manufacturing (DfM), Design for Assembly (DfA), and Design for Test (DfT) feedback to R&D throughout the product development lifecycle.</p></li><li><p>Design, develop, qualify, and release production test systems, measurement equipment, fixtures, and tools required for manufacturing.</p></li><li><p>Establish manufacturing routings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), production versions, and associated master data within SAP.</p></li><li><p>Coordinate product industrialization activities with R&D, Project/Program Management, Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing, Procurement, and external suppliers.</p></li><li><p>Define process validation and product qualification strategies, including IQ/OQ/PQ activities where applicable.</p></li><li><p>Analyze manufacturing data using statistical methods to assess process capability, yield, throughput, and product quality.</p></li><li><p>Identify manufacturing risks and drive corrective and preventive actions to ensure successful product launches.</p></li><li><p>Support pilot builds, engineering builds, process validation activities, and ramp-up to volume production.</p></li><li><p>Ensure manufacturing documentation packages are complete, controlled, and released before production launch.</p></li><li><p>Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, cost, delivery, and manufacturing efficiency.</p></li></ul><p></p><p><b>Required Qualifications</b></p><ul><li><p>Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechatronics, or Software Engineering.</p></li><li><p>Minimum 3 years of experience in New Product Introduction, Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Industrialization, or Operations Engineering.</p></li><li><p>Experience working with cross-functional product development teams.</p></li><li><p>Basic knowledge of manufacturing processes, process validation, and production scaling.</p></li><li><p>Experience with ERP systems; SAP experience preferred.</p></li><li><p>Familiarity with statistical analysis and continuous improvement methodologies.</p></li><li><p>Fluent in English; German is an advantage.</p></li></ul><p></p><p><b>Why Join Abbott?</b> </p><ul><li><p>Make a direct impact on technologies that help save and improve patients' lives. </p></li><li><p>Lead critical industrialization activities for a next-generation circulatory support platform. </p></li><li><p>Collaborate within a truly global team spanning Zurich, Switzerland and Pleasanton, California. </p></li><li><p>Influence both product design and manufacturing strategy early in the development process. </p></li><li><p>Work with advanced electromechanical medical technology in a highly innovative environment. </p></li><li><p>Grow your career within one of the world's leading healthcare companies. </p></li></ul><p></p><p><b>The Best of Both Worlds</b> </p><p></p><p>Our Zurich Heart Failure site is home to approximately <b>160 employees</b>, offering the visibility, ownership, agility, and family-like culture often associated with a smaller organization. Here, you can see the direct impact of your work, build strong cross-functional relationships, and influence key decisions. </p><p></p><p>At the same time, you will be part of <b>Abbott's global organization</b>, collaborating closely with teams in Pleasanton, California and around the world while benefiting from the resources, stability, technology leadership, and career opportunities of one of the world's leading healthcare companies. </p><p></p><h3></h3><h3></h3>

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