We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 16 Oct 2026
Careers that change lives start here. Medtronic is a global leader in healthcare technology with a Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. Our 95,000 employees work across more than 150 countries to put patients first — developing innovative medical technologies that improve the lives of 72+ million patients each year. Your unique talents will help shape the future of healthcare while building a career grounded in purpose, growth, and impact.
A Day in the LifeAct boldly. Compete to win. Move with speed and decisiveness. Foster belonging. Deliver results…the right way. That’s the Medtronic Mindset — our cultural norms. Our brand is rooted in action, not just words. The Medtronic Mindset defines the expectations of our culture. Every person here plays a role in bringing it to life. We recognize your extraordinary potential to ensure future generations live better, healthier lives.
The Grand Rapids site, which manufactures cardiac surgery devices distributed worldwide, is seeking a Microbiologist-Sterilization Specialist to support sustained compliance and continuous improvement initiatives, playing a critical role in ensuring site microbiology and sterilization operations meet regulatory and quality expectations. Join a team of passionate microbiologists who each play a critical role in ensuring the parts we manufacture are safe and compliant.
At Medtronic, we bring bold ideas forward with speed and decisiveness to put patients first in everything we do. In-person exchanges are invaluable to our work. We’re working a minimum of 5 days a week onsite as part of our commitment to fostering a culture of professional growth and cross-functional collaboration as we work together to engineer the extraordinary.
Responsibilities may include the following and other duties may be assigned.
- Understand and implement policies that ensure compliance for controlled environments on-site in accordance with ISO 14644 series.
- Follow protocols and regulations in order to clean, store, and/or deliver products, supplies, and/or instruments.
- Interpret and evaluate the analyses in terms of accuracy and precision compared against established specifications and recommends and implements corrective action where necessary.
- Perform review of microbiology laboratory tests and ensure product families are appropriately tested at set frequencies.
- Support internal microbiology lab as needed with analyzing chemical, biological or microbiological products, raw materials, in-process materials, release test samples or stability samples in support of the company's quality program.
- Develop, validate, and implement controlled environment methods and overall site contamination control.
- Apply existing techniques and procedures with recommendations and implementation of modification for improved efficiency, or devise and develop new analytical methods and techniques.
- Perform qualitative tests or quantitative assays on samples using techniques that vary from use of standard analytical equipment to highly modern and automated instrumentation.
- May also be involved in establishing requirements for the transfer of methodology from R&D projects.
- Prepare for internal and external audits and ensure manufacturing areas are compliant with internal work instructions. This includes performing quality walks and periodic assessment of internal processes.
- Perform corrective and preventative actions to support manufacturing nonconformances and close gaps from audits.
- Prepare, clean, disinfect, and/or sterilize instruments, materials, products, and/or supplies.
- Support change control of internal work instructions and policies to align with industry best practices.
Must Have: Minimum Requirements
To be considered for this role, please ensure the minimum requirements are evident in your applicant profile.
- Bachelor’s degree in science or technical field with 2+ years of work experience in microbiology, sterilization, and/or biocompatibility experience OR Advanced degree in science or technical field with 0+ years of work experience in microbiology, sterilization, and/or biocompatibility experience
Nice to Have
- Experience in a cleanroom environment, preferably in medical device, pharmaceutical, or biotech manufacturing.
- Knowledge of cleanroom classifications (ISO Class 7–8) and contamination control practices.
- Experience with Environmental Monitoring of controlled environments
- Working knowledge of trending data software (Minitab, Excel, etc.) and performing statistical analysis
- Experience with BET testing
- Experience writing cleanroom and other validation protocols and reports
- Experience writing cleanroom, microbiology, or other deviation investigations
- Experience with writing CAPA plans and effectiveness checks
- General understanding working with EO sterilization
- CISS certification, AAMI WG, or other external body training certifications
- Flexible and open minded regarding daily task requirements and prioritizing projects
- Able to work collaboratively and efficiently in both a team environment and individually on specific projects
- Strong understanding of Microsoft apps (Excel, Word, etc.)
For Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) is required.
Physical Job Requirements
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position.
The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.
U.S. Work Authorization & Sponsorship
At Medtronic, we are committed to fostering an environment where employees can thrive and make a meaningful impact. In alignment with our enterprise-wide workforce planning approach, U.S. work authorization sponsorship (H-1B, TN, J, etc.) is offered exclusively for Principal-level roles and above, where specialized expertise aligns with long-term business needs. Roles below the Principal level require candidates to possess unrestricted U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and for the duration of employment.
Recruitment Fraud Alert
We are aware of phishing scams targeting job seekers. Please keep the following in mind:
Apply only through official Medtronic channels. All legitimate Medtronic recruiting communications come from approved Medtronic platforms and official @medtronic.com email addresses.
Medtronic will never ask for payment or sensitive personal information (such as bank account or Social Security details) during early stages of the hiring process. Any such requests are not legitimate.
If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from Medtronic, do not respond, click links, or open attachments.
If you have any questions, concerns regarding the authenticity of a communication alleged to have been made by or on behalf of Medtronic, please contact us immediately at AskHR@medtronic.com.
Benefits & Compensation Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package
A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create. We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage.
Salary ranges for U.S (excl. PR) locations (USD):$78,400.00 - $117,600.00
This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP).
The base salary range is applicable across the United States, excluding Puerto Rico and specific locations in California. The offered rate complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as experience, certification/education, market conditions, and location. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others).
The following benefits and additional compensation are available to those regular employees who work 20+ hours per week: Health, Dental and vision insurance, Health Savings Account, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Life insurance, Long-term disability leave, Dependent daycare spending account, Tuition assistance/reimbursement, and Simple Steps (global well-being program).
The following benefits and additional compensation are available to all regular employees: Incentive plans, 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match, Short-term disability, Paid time off, Paid holidays, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Assistance Program, Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums), and Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums).
Regular employees are those who are not temporary, such as interns. Temporary employees are eligible for paid sick time, as required under applicable state law, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Please note some of the above benefits may not apply to workers in Puerto Rico.
Further details are available at the link below:
Medtronic benefits and compensation plans
It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
If you are applying to perform work for Medtronic, Inc. (“Medtronic”) in any position which will involve performing at least two (2) hours of work on average each week within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, you can find here a list of all material job duties of the specific job position which Medtronic reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. Medtronic will consider for employment qualified job applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.