Senior Software Engineer – Software as a Medical Device (w/m/d) 80–100 %

The Spine Biomechanics Lab at Balgrist University Hospital is a translational research environment at the interface of engineering, software development, and spine surgery. We combine clinical insight, image-based analysis, computational modelling, and biomechanical evidence to develop solutions that can directly support surgical decision-making and improve patient care.

With SpinePlanner, we are advancing patient-specific software for spinal fusion surgery in close collaboration with an associated MedTech spin-off. The platform combines medical imaging, planning workflows, biomechanical assessment and optimization to support surgeons from preoperative planning to surgical execution.

We are now looking for an experienced software engineer with a strong background in regulated MedTech software development to help develop SpinePlanner from a clinically driven technology platform into a robust, validated, and scalable medical device software product.

• Drive the software development of SpinePlanner toward a robust, clinically usable, and product-ready solution.
• Translate clinical, regulatory, and technical requirements into reliable software architecture, implementation plans, and development workflows.
• Develop, maintain, and improve core software components for patient-specific planning, image-based workflows, data handling, visualization, and computational analysis.
• Establish and apply professional software engineering practices across the development lifecycle, including maintainable architecture, testing, documentation, release management, and code quality.
• Contribute to verification and validation activities in line with regulated MedTech software development standards.
• Work closely with surgeons, researchers, engineers, and external partners to define clinically meaningful use cases and translate them into practical software solutions.
• Support the integration of SpinePlanner into clinical workflows that connect preoperative planning with surgical execution, including interfaces to medical imaging data, surgical guidance systems, robotic platforms, and clinical IT environments.
• Contribute to technical and product documentation as well as project reporting.
• Help shape a development culture that bridges academic innovation, clinical relevance, regulatory expectations and professional software product development.

• MSc or PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Medical Informatics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of professional software engineering experience, including substantial responsibility for the design, implementation, testing, documentation and maintenance of complex software systems.
• At least 3 years of hands-on experience in regulated MedTech software development, ideally including software as a medical device.
• Strong software engineering and architecture skills.
• Practical experience with regulated software development processes, including requirements management, risk management, traceability, verification and validation, and technical and release documentation.
• Familiarity with relevant MedTech standards and quality frameworks, ideally including IEC 62304, ISO 13485, ISO 14971, IEC 62366, or comparable regulatory expectations.
• Ability to translate clinical needs, user feedback, technical constraints, and regulatory requirements into practical, reliable, and well-structured software solutions.
• Independent, structured, and proactive working style, with the ability to take ownership of technical decisions.
• Clear and confident communication with clinicians, engineers, researchers, quality experts, and external project partners.
• Additional experience in medical imaging workflows, DICOM, image segmentation, 3D visualization, computational modelling, cloud and/or on-premises deployment, cybersecurity, data privacy, or clinical IT integration would be a strong advantage.
• Experience in orthopaedics, spine surgery, surgical planning, implant-related software, patient-specific modelling, digital surgery, or product development in a start-up-like environment would be particularly valuable.

• A dynamic, interdisciplinary environment embedded in a leading orthopaedic university hospital.
• Direct collaboration with spine surgeons, biomechanical researchers, software engineers, and technical partners working on patient-specific planning for spine surgery.
• The opportunity to take a central role in the development of a clinically grounded MedTech software product for planning and execution in spinal fusion surgery.
• A position with substantial technical ownership, room for initiative, and direct influence on software architecture, development processes, and product maturity.
• A translational setting that combines the scientific depth of a university hospital with the pace, focus, and product orientation of an emerging technology venture.
• Competitive compensation and attractive employment conditions.
• Employment percentage: 80–100 %, start date by arrangement.