Principal Process Engineer

At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate boldly, champion progress, and act with speed as the global leader in eye care. Here, you’ll be recognized for your commitment and contributions and see your career like never before. Together, we go above and beyond to make an impact in the lives of our patients and customers.

We foster an inclusive culture and are looking for diverse, talented people to join Alcon.  As a Principal Process Engineer in Irvine, CA, this person:

• Conducts process research, process development and process upscaling for new medical device products.

• Investigates and evaluates existing technology and designs new methodology, materials, machines or processes as needed for medical device development. Plans, conducts and provides technical direction to one or more projects of major importance and difficulty where the complexity of technical problems involved requires the broad application of advanced knowledge of ophthalmic devices.

• Interprets complex study results or may manage programs or provide other engineering leadership.

In this role, a typical day will include:

• Provides authoritative technical or professional advice and recommendations to influence internal and/or external contacts.

• Internal and external audience is diverse and interaction mainly requires interpretation of complex information.

• Audience may be outside own area and unfamiliar with subject.

• Designs major components, or major portions of a functional system, or technically advanced prototype, or specific products 

• for medical device/science/technology.

• Uses intermediate level analytical techniques and/or previous experience to identify the most appropriate option or to adapt or improve existing approaches.

• Applies intermediate level engineering principles to the research and development of medical device/science/technology and/or provide engineering expertise to support development.

• Assures continuity of products and processes assessment feasibility, research, design, development, compliance to customer and non-customer requirements, transfer to production.

• Provides engineering direction, determining and developing approach to solutions by coordinating multiple resources to solve complex problems.

• Leads design reviews, assigns and reviews action items.

• Ensures regulatory / statutory / legislative compliance for all project work.

• Acts as a mentor in the engineering organization.

• Has autonomy to propose alternatives but normally follows a specified course of action.

• Decisions impact short term.

• Requires awareness of the workings of the business beyond own team and some familiarity with the external environment as it affects own part of the organization.

Skills/Experience:

• Experience working in a Medical Device environment and familiar with medical device regulations and standards e.g., QSR 21 CFR 820, ISO 13485

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization and experience with conflict resolution

• Excellent project management skills and experience leading cross-functional teams

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities

• Six Sigma Certification Green Belt Certification preferred (Black Belt Certification a plus)

• Practical experience with process qualification/validations e.g., IQ/OQ/PQ, Gage R&R

• Proficient in performing Statistical analysis e.g., hypothesis testing, regression testing and use of DOEs for process characterization and optimization (experience using statistical tools e.g. MiniTab a plus)

• Must be able to author engineering studies, protocols and reports

What You'll Bring to Alcon:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +13 yrs; Assoc.+9 yrs; M.S.+2 yrs; PhD+0 yrs) 

• The ability to fluently read, write, understand, and communicate in English

• 5 Years of Relevant Experience

How You Can Thrive at Alcon:

• Join Alcon’s mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career!

• Alcon provides robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off, and much more!

• Travel Requirements: 0-5%

• Relocation assistance: Yes

• Sponsorship available: No

Alcon Careers

See your impact at alcon.com/careers

#LI-DNI

ATTENTION: Current Alcon Employee/Contingent Worker

If you are currently an active employee/contingent worker at Alcon, please click the appropriate link below to apply on the Internal Career site.

Find Jobs for Employees

Find Jobs for Contingent Worker

Total Rewards

Alcon’s Total Rewards programs are designed to align to incentives with business goals, encourage the right values and behaviors, and deliver long-term value.  The first layer of our rewards program is compensation.  We offer a combination of fixed pay and variable pay, which includes short-term incentives, and long-term incentives for eligible population.  Our benefits program provides security for life events through life and disability insurance, supports savings for retirement, promotes good health and well-being and supports associates and their families during times of illness.  To learn more about Alcon’s Corporate Social Responsibility including our Total Rewards, click here

Pay Range

Pay Frequency

Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to alcon.recruitment@alcon.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.