Position Description

The role of this position within Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management (CRDM) is to understand and mitigate the hazards associated with Active Implantable Medical Device (AIMD) systems operating in the MRI environment. The candidate must be experienced in the design and operation of cardiac AIMD’s such as: Implantable Pulse Generators (IPGs), Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs), and their associated lead systems. The candidate will also possess a solid understanding of electromagnetic fields and be willing to become an expert in the electromagnetic fields that are produced by an MRI scanner. The successful candidate will use their knowledge of the MRI fields and of the design and operation of an AIMD system to eliminate or mitigate the hazards to the system and patient. This candidate will also be responsible for providing inter-organizational leadership in the translation of ideas and concepts from research and advanced development into device requirements ready for hand off to product development.

Position Responsibilities

1. This person is expected to become an expert within CRDM on the operation of commercial MRI scanners in clinical practice as it relates to scanning of implantable devices in the MRI environment. Specific expectations and responsibilities are as follows:
a. Develop an understanding of the Physics of MRI.
b. Develop an understanding of the broad classes of clinical scan sequences (RF and gradient intensive) and be able to translate them into the fields that will impact the AIMD system operation.
c. Identify key clinical MRI scan parameters as they relate to scanning implantable devices in the MRI environment.
d. Participate in the design of MRI safe systems (devices and leads) to ensure that CRDM systems will meet all MRI safety requirements.

2. The candidate must have the ability to work effectively in the early stages of a project when many aspects are not well defined. The essence of this job is to bring clarity to definitional ambiguity so that tangible engineering decisions can be made regarding the integration of a feature or capability into the product.
3. The candidate will be required to work across departmental boundaries on a routine basis and will also need to collaborate with other divisions working on MRI safe projects.

It is desired that the candidate demonstrate knowledge of the IPG and ICD markets, knowledge of competitive approaches to product features, and knowledge of the partitioning of product features across disciplines. It is also expected that the candidate will have excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related discipline, with a minimum of 10 years experience, 5 of which will have been related to hands on engineering activities related to cardiac AIMD systems. Solid understanding of the architecture and operating environment for IPG's and ICD's. Ability to analyze the effects from the MRI environment on an active implanted medical device operating within the human body. Computer skills: thorough knowledge of Windows platform and knowledge of Unix and/or Linux platforms. Programming skills in C or C++, Matlab, and knowledge of statistical analysis. Must have demonstrated the ability to use these computer skills to author detailed technical reports and make presentations to technical and scientific audiences. Demonstrated project leadership skills in a technical environment related to the medical industry.

Desired/Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related discipline; 5 of which will have been related to hands on engineering activities related to cardiac AIMD systems.
*Fundamental knowledge of human anatomy and physiology as it relates to implantable pacemaker and ICD systems (device and leads).
*Able to support pre-clinical animal research
*Solid background in electromagnetic fields.
*Understanding of the fields generated by commercial MRI scanners and an understanding of how scan parameters impact these fields.

Physical Job Requirements

Mobility Requirements: Able to stand/sit/walk up to 8 hrs/day; able to bend/stoop/reach on a regular basis during the work day; able to travel independently to various Medtronic buildings/sites.
Dexterity Requirements: Able to use computer & monitor to develop, review, communicate job-related documentation.