We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 21 Mar 2026

 

At Medtronic you can begin a life-long career of exploration and innovation, while helping champion healthcare access and equity for all. You’ll lead with purpose, breaking down barriers to innovation in a more connected, compassionate world.

A Day in the Life

The Airway R&D team exists to help patients and healthcare professionals manage airways more easily by being the most nimble innovator of airway devices. Their expertise lies in designing and developing airway devices such as video laryngoscopes, endotracheal tubes and tracheostomy tubes.

Sr Prin Designer, Design Lead - Airway R&D

Location – Lafayette, CO

Responsibilities may include the following and other duties may be assigned

The Design Lead is responsible for directing the overall vision and innovation strategy to ensure the highest quality of design within Acute Care & Monitoring’s Airway product portfolio. This individual champions human-centered innovation and design excellence by applying thorough knowledge of ethnographic research and behavioral science. This role integrates design thinking methodologies to conceptualize and deliver meaningful user experiences that multiply the impact of our world leading technologies. Additionally, the Design Lead promotes cross-functional collaboration with product team stakeholders, provides mentorship to product designers, and establishes an environment conducive to impactful design results—delivering value to both customers and the business in alignment with strategic objectives and identified market opportunities.

A typical day for the Design Lead:

• Participate in clinical immersion opportunities to observe product use, gather insights, and validate design assumptions.

• Engage with stakeholders—both decision-makers and end-users—to understand their perspectives and challenges.

• Analyze feedback from recent clinical observations and stakeholder interviews.

• Participate in a trio meeting with Product Owner and Technology Lead to refine product value propositions and roadmap priorities.

• Review ongoing product design projects and align with product designers on implementation details.

• Lead brainstorming sessions with the product team to address emerging user needs and market trends.

• Collaborate with marketing to ensure design vision & design strategy aligns with the respective AC&M market strategy.

• Mentor junior designers and facilitate knowledge sharing across teams.

• Review regulatory compliance documentation and ensure all design outputs meet required standards.

• Summarize user research, identify innovation opportunities, update the research database, and prepare action plans for cross-functional meetings.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Product Family & Market Expertise

• Develop a deep understanding of the product family, market landscape, and competitive environment.

• Spend time monthly in clinical settings to observe product use environments, workflows, and stakeholder interactions.

• Build and sustain strong relationships with HCPs and clinical facilities to facilitate ongoing field insights and access.

• Map and understand all stakeholders, including those influencing purchasing decisions and those involved in product use.

Design Leadership & Strategy

• Employ design thinking methodologies within a trio structure (Design Lean, Technology Lead & Product Owner) to create product value propositions that align with identified market opportunities.

• Collaborate as part of a trio to develop a cohesive design strategy for the product family, ensuring alignment with the broader AC&M design strategy.

• Design and lead thoughtful user studies, observations, and inquiries, leveraging behavioral economics, cognitive psychology, and AI generative research.

• Co-create product vision for each item on the roadmap, ensuring strategic fit and user value.

Collaboration & Implementation

• Work with Product Designers to ensure design implementation aligns with product strategy and customer needs.

• Facilitate regular team activities such as journey ma