Associate Manager, Process Engineering

The Associate Manager, Process Engineering leads engineering and technician teams to optimize manufacturing, improve yield, and reduce costs, acting as a bridge between the Process Development and the Operations teams. They drive continuous improvement (Lean/Six Sigma), manage project timelines, and ensure safety/quality standards. This role is on-site in Irvine, California.

What you will do

• Lead and develop engineers and technicians through mentoring, coaching, performance feedback, and day‑to‑day technical leadership.
• Drive operational KPIs including first‑pass yield, scrap reduction, OEE, and cost/unit improvement through process optimization and Lean initiatives.
• Lead cross‑functional projects from concept through implementation, managing scope, timelines, risks, and budgets.
• Identify, analyze, and resolve complex manufacturing and process issues using structured troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Translate business objectives into executable engineering initiatives aligned to cost, capacity, and operational priorities.
• Own capacity planning, resource allocation, and capital expenditure (CapEx) planning to support pilot and production needs.
• Develop, analyze, and leverage dashboards, metrics, and statistical tools to support data‑driven decision making.
• Identify and execute sustainable cost‑reduction initiatives while maintaining quality and compliance standards.
• Build strong cross‑functional partnerships and influence senior stakeholders to drive operational excellence.
• Operate effectively in a fast‑paced, evolving environment while maintaining focus on execution and results.

What you need

• Bachelor of Science degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 6+ years of applicable experience in manufacturing or process engineering.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including mentoring, coaching, and developing engineers and technicians.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills and leadership presence, with the ability to influence across functions.
• Working knowledge of medical device manufacturing compliance, including ISO standards, FDA regulations, and Good Documentation Practices (GDP).

Preferred

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Prior direct people management experience.
• Experience with statistical process control (SPC) and advanced process monitoring tools.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) and pilot manufacturing environments.

United States of America Pay Ranges:

• ​ US15 : $89,400 - $148,900 USD Annual

View the U.S. work location and transparency guide to find the pay range for your location.

Health benefits include: Medical and prescription drug insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, critical illness insurance, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, personalized healthcare support, wellbeing program and tobacco cessation program. Financial benefits include: Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), 401(k) plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), basic life and AD&D insurance, and short-term disability insurance. Stryker offers innovative products and services in MedSurg, Neurotechnology, Orthopaedics and Spine that help improve patient and healthcare outcomes. Alongside its customers around the world, Stryker impacts more than 150 million patients annually. Depending on customer requirements employees and new hires in sales and field roles that require access to customer accounts as a function of the job may be required to obtain various vaccinations as an essential function of their role.