Matt Birdsall

Technical and Engineering Leader

About

After a rewarding career with Medtronic, spanning engineering leadership, cross-functional program delivery, and large-scale technical R&D, I’m entering a new chapter. My career has centered on leading high-performing teams, developing and evaluating complex medical technologies, navigating programs and organizations through change, and driving cross-functional rigor. I bring a blend of technical depth, operational judgment, and people-centered leadership shaped by decades in one of the world’s most demanding regulated industries. I also bring uncommon breadth in diligence, partnering with business development and cross-functional leaders to assess opportunities and technologies through technical, clinical, regulatory, operational, and strategic lenses. As I move forward, I’m exploring opportunities where I can apply this experience to help organizations solve hard problems, whether through full-time technical or leadership roles, or targeted consulting engagements. I am particularly energized by work that blends technical rigor, system-level thinking, and collaborative execution. If you’re building or evaluating something meaningful in medtech, engineering, or adjacent sectors, I’d welcome a conversation.

Country

United States

City

Bend

Industry

Medical Device

Skill

Engineering Leadership, Technical and Design Review, Program Management, Organizational Influence, Product Development, Regulated Industry, Risk Management, Technology Transfer and Validation Readiness, Product R&D, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Program Leadership, Engineering Management, Engineering, Multi-Site Experience, R&D, Strategic Technology Planning, Medical Devices, Combination Products, Materials Science, New Business Development

Experience

Technical and Engineering Leader

2026-5 - Present · 5 mos

MedTech and engineering leader exploring consulting, advisory, and technical leadership opportunities following 29 years with Medtronic. Open to: • Consulting engagements (technical strategy, engineering leadership, program recovery, organizational initiatives, cross-functional diligence and technology/opportunity assessment for internal and external evaluations) • Full-time leadership roles in engineering, design, technical leadership, or technical program management • Advisory roles with early-stage medtech or engineering-driven companies

Senior Technical and R&D Leader

Medtronic

1993-2 - 2026-5 · 33 yrs 4 mos

Led research, development, engineering, and cross-functional programs and teams across cardiovascular and interventional therapy businesses during a period of significant industry evolution. Known for developing technologies and products, building teams and talent, improving system reliability, and delivering complex programs in regulated environments. Partnered closely with R&D, manufacturing, quality, and clinical stakeholders to bring high-impact technologies to market and support global patient needs.

Senior Distinguished Engineer

Medtronic

2024-6 - 2026-4 · 1 yr 11 mos

United States

I serve as a senior technical leader for the mitral and tricuspid transcatheter portfolio, supporting platform strategy, product development, and cross-functional alignment. I advise multiple PDP teams, contribute to long-term roadmap decisions, and help guide technical investigations and diligence activities across the broader portfolio.

Vice President Emerging Therapies and Research & Technology, Structural Heart & Aortic

Medtronic

2020-8 - 2024-6 · 3 yrs 11 mos

Santa Rosa, California, United States

Led the Research & Technology organization for Structural Heart & Aortic, including early-stage technology development and Pre-PDP strategy. Partnered with senior technical and functional leaders across multiple sites to advance new platforms, strengthen organizational capabilities, and support enterprise-level initiatives, while serving on the senior leadership team and contributing to strategic planning, portfolio shaping, and cross-functional decision making.

Vice President of Research and Innovation, Coronary and Structural Heart

Medtronic

2014-12 - 2020-8 · 5 yrs 9 mos

Santa Rosa, CA

Directed early-stage R&D across multiple therapy areas, from concept through proof-of-concept and transition into PDP, while serving on the R&D leadership team and contributing to strategic planning, portfolio execution, and workforce planning.

Senior Director and Director Roles

Medtronic

2007-3 - 2014-12 · 7 yrs 10 mos

Santa Rosa, CA

Led translational R&D, portfolio strategy, and functional capability development across Coronary, RDN, and Structural Heart. Helped establish processes that improved visibility, predictability, and cross-functional alignment.

Senior Manager/Program Manager and Senior Principal Engineer Roles

Medtronic

2004-9 - 2007-3 · 2 yrs 7 mos

Santa Rosa, CA

Guided development of next-generation stent platforms and led execution of a major PDP program. Supported cross-functional teams spanning engineering, quality, regulatory, operations, and business development.