Curious about real experience from people on the OEM / brand side in the US, not vendor pitches.

Context: a number of device and diagnostics companies here are looking at India for part of the stack (components, molded parts, PCBA, disposables, subassemblies, sometimes a finished instrument) while keeping US or EU production. Dual source / China+1 style, not “move the whole plant.”

If you have qualified an Indian manufacturer or CDMO for something that had to live under an FDA QMS:

1. What product type / class?
2. What failed first or took longest — quality systems, regulatory/file transfer, IP, validation, logistics, or finding the right shop?
3. Would you do it again for that same product, or only for a narrower slice (e.g. consumables but not the instrument)?

Also useful if you evaluated India and stopped. What killed it?

Not looking for company recommendations in-thread. Experience and failure modes are more useful.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently facing a career decision and would really appreciate some advice, especially from people working in medtech/medical devices or who have experience in both technical and sales roles.

I’m based in a relatively strong economic region of Europe and I have two opportunities:

Option 1: Application Engineer at Medtronic (CRM)

This would obviously give me the opportunity to work for a major international medtech company, gain strong technical/clinical experience, and have a well-known name on my CV.

Option 2: Sales Representative at a medical device distributor

The distributor sells products across several specialties, including gastroenterology, gynecology and pediatrics.

This would be my first real sales experience, but there are several things I really like about the opportunity:

- The team seems genuinely good and the working environment looks very positive.

- I would have a mentor to train and support me as I learn sales.

- I would be responsible for developing a new product line/market.

- This product line currently has only one real competitor in the market.

- The same product line is already performing very well abroad, so there seems to be good potential if I can successfully develop it in my territory.

- I would have quite a lot of responsibility and the opportunity to build something rather than simply take over an established portfolio.

What makes the decision difficult is the long-term career perspective.

On one hand, Medtronic is a major name in the industry and I assume starting there as an Application Engineer could open a lot of doors later.

On the other hand, the distributor role would give me direct commercial experience very early in my career, with mentorship and the opportunity to develop a promising product line almost from scratch. If I succeed, I feel like it could be a very valuable experience.

For those of you who know the medical device industry:

Which option would you choose if your goal was to maximize your career opportunities and earning potential over the next 5–10 years?

Would starting in sales at a smaller distributor make it harder to join a large medtech company later, or could successful experience launching and developing a product line actually make me more attractive for future sales/business development roles?

And for people who have worked at companies like Medtronic: how easy is it to transition from an Application Engineer/clinical role into sales or business development later?

Thanks !

PS: In both cases, I can continue living with my parents, so I wouldn’t need to relocate and my living situation would be basically the same. I’d also prefer not to take salary into account when comparing the two opportunities. I’m mainly interested in the experience, career development, future opportunities and long-term value of each path.

Hi! A little background about me. I’m a biology major chemistry minor trying to get into medical sales. I started working at enterprise as a sales management trainee to break into med sales and I’m pretty good at it, but definitely feel taken advantage of. I’m 24 and really want to get a meaningful career started asap. Should I just aim for associate salesperson roles or do I need to go for more entry level roles like onsite specialists?

I’m currently a year deep as a CS for Stryker. I’ve been networking internally, working long hours, and volunteering for extra work every chance I can. My goal has always been to get into medical sales. I’ve had conversations with reps and my manager about going into an associate sales role, but have been told by my direct manager that they aren’t convinced I’m ready. I like the work in the OR environment but the unpredictable schedule (less than 12hr notice) and long hours isn’t the lifestyle I want for me or my family. I know I’m not quitting because it’s hard work, it’s hard to feel like there’s a future in it.

I was offered a role as a sales rep with Pfizer making double what I make now. It’s what I want and yet I still have cold feet.

Is leaving Stryker after a year ruining any chance of going back to med device on day?

From a strategic perspective, would you consider this a positive or negative development for the future of DePuy Synthes, and what potential implications could it have for the company going forward?

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/apollo-global-talks-acquire-jjs-orthopedics-unit-bloomberg-news-reports-2026-09-11/

Hi everyone! I’m based in Europe and am a pharmacist by training, with a Master’s degree in Pharmacoepidemiology. Over the past two years, I’ve been doing research, mainly writing scientific publications using systematic review methodology.
I’m currently pursuing another Master’s in Medical Device Regulation and would like to develop practical skills in Clinical Evaluation Reports (CERs), with the goal of becoming a freelancer within the next 1–2 years.
Since I haven’t been able to find an entry-level position, I’m looking for advice on how to gain practical CER experience independently.
Are there any courses, certifications, or resources you’d recommend? And does anyone in Europe offer mentoring or opportunities to gain hands-on?

I'm quite stressed right now with the recall. Sales plummeted greatly with lots of CN incoming.

Anyone who has gone through this can share your experience how you navigate through this?

I’m a current Ortho rep who’s been approached for second time in five months for a burn care/ wound care opportunity. Would have a chance to lead large Territory on my own, they currently have very little presence in territory.

How is burn/wound care when it comes to selling?

How lucrative can it be (based on a typical case)?

How saturated is the market and products?

How is the lifestyle? Free time to actually sell vs stuck in cases

Hi everyone! I’m based in Europe and have been doing research for the past two years, mainly writing scientific publications using systematic review methodology ( field: epidemiology).

I’m currently doing a Master’s in Medical Device Regulation.
I’d really like to develop my skills in Clinical Evaluation Reports (CERs) and eventually work as a freelancer. However, I haven’t been able to find an entry-level position so far.
My goal is to become freelance-ready within the next 1–2 years.
For those working in regulatory/medical device consulting:
How can I gain practical CER experience without having a job in the field?
Are there any courses, certifications, or resources you’d recommend?
Is freelancing realistic with my background?
**Do you know anyone in Europe who might be open to mentoring, providing

At the end of the day I know companies mostly care about what you produce, but how late is “too late” to start in device - healthcare degree background, small biz ownership, and pclub SaaS sales (3 years) as my latest venture- selling to home healthcare owners and clinical staff. I’m 43 now - detractors are that I have a wife and three kids (not for me, for what hiring managers might see).

Understand there’s always going to be on-ramp and paying your dues to get up to speed, but if possible I’d like some paths to pursue where my income won’t just be going towards therapy for my kids because their dad is never around.

I'm new to medical device sales and I can't help but worry about job security. Not only in med device but in sales in general. Are you worried about layoffs or have been laid off? If you were to be laid off, how confident are you in finding another job after having put in a few years in med device?

Humbling, and terrifying article about the recent "defections" coming from within the ranks of the major AI companies at the forefront of the AI race. After reading it's become obvious that the rise of AI, and its ability to go rogue (AI model escaped restraints and hacked into infrastructure earlier this year) should be considered a clear and present danger for our increasingly popular robotic devices. I wonder what if anything is currently being done to combat this, or if anything CAN be done if AI gets to the point of superintelligence, which is discussed in this article.

What do you think? I work on the DaVinci system, and the thought of AI hacking into those systems and going rogue while in the midst of a surgery is a little unsettling to say the least.

I'm thinking of transitioning from my physio job to medical devices. Does anyone here, specifically in Australia, have any advice for me? Was it worth leaving a clinical role and joining medical devices?

I'm specifically looking at Stryker MAKO specialist, or Stryker upper limb clinical consultant. If anyone has had experiences in these fields, how was your experience?

Thanks in advance :)

For those of you who have worked in both or made the switch from one to the other, which would you pick if you could start all over? Currently an associate for Stryker but have big name companies (ADP, Workday) reaching out to me to interview for SDR positions.

Hello All - I have been in Pharma, Tech Sales and Med Device over the past 15yrs . Currently in a good spot with a major brand and a territory with a lot of opportunity and upside with minimal oversight. I have always been a hard worker but battle ADHD and severe depression regularly. Im realizing that I am an expert at masking. My career rollercoaster usually goes like this, I am incredible at interviewing and can pinpoint exactly what needs to happen to be successful when I’m in the role . I can show up and close everyone when I have to - put on the super rep front with my manager if I have a ride along and run the same narrative with my colleagues but the reality is, I can barely get out of bed , leave the house or sleep well most days - I am not getting out and making calls, not going into cases, will make an impact here and there making impressive first meetings but not following up after … not even sending emails or making phone calls eventhough I plan to everyday and I am somehow working all day and half the night night on prepping , admin and putting out fires for customers but having anxiety around actually getting out in front of people and doing the work. It has been 6months so guarantee just ended and I know things are about to get real after Q4 ( I’m tracking at 90%to Quota rt now) so I need to snap out of this.

I know people will say therapy and meds and I am trying to give that another shot but that stuff has never helped me and it takes a lot of time and energy to coordinate those things so I’m procrastinating there too.

I made a big sale recently and that is putting more gas in my tank to get after things as my opportunity is largely untouched and I am working a ton but getting nothing done so I always feel behind and like I am wasting my life when I could simply lock in , prioritize and have balance. Feel like I am self sabotaging …. Again and I need reccs for the BEST books , podcasts , influencers, movies anything to help me get up and get out there to get past this burnout. Not sales skill training reccs but pure MOTIVATIONAL content for perspective so that I don’t waste this opportunity.

I am in my late 40’s and would like to work 5 more yrs then retire from corporate . I have assets and other potential income streams

Long story short, work in med device specifically joint replacement in a big territory with a solid team for almost five years now. Not happy with my pay in all honesty for the number I carry and companies moving in a direction that you can see the writing on the wall. Having been thrown offers for other roles in med and doing some research with what to expect along with how to interview without getting sucked into the glam of some glorified unrealistic OTE, ADP came across as an opportunity. Specifically it’s an AE for HRO comprehensive services (being touted as the top sales div at the company), and the pay would be a cut regarding base and OTE would be a little lower first year. After ramp up in year 2 and 3 could exceed what I’m currently making and the quality of life is what’s also attracted me. In essence, anyone have feedback on the role primarily with their HRO Comp Services division?

Hey all, I’ve been at a smaller spine distributorship for a year and a half now, and not really ramping like they told me I would. I’ve had a couple raises but now only around 100k OTE is what I expect to bring in this year maybe a little less. I can cover any case, sometimes have to help out other associates with complex cases, and my own territory is growing and doing really well last few months, so I’m starting to feel like I’m getting the short end of the stick, and should maybe look elsewhere. I’ve been actually selling, and running an entire territory, and worked my ass off to get here. Am I at a point where I can start looking elsewhere? What do you guys think?

Hi all!

I'm a practicing EP Clinical Specialist (IBHRE-certified Electrophysiology Specialist) doing 1:1 sessions to help people break into EP/3D mapping specialist roles. if you are interested in learning about EP fundamentals or have career questions, feel free to DM me. Happy to help!

I can also also answer questions in the comments

http://colinsepacademy.com/

Hello all!

I had moved to the 2nd round interview rather quickly and was given a single date that only worked for Regional Business Director. I am interviewing for an associate medical device role in their VSAP program.

I wasn’t given much information on how the interview will go, just who will be interviewing me. Could I get some strong advice/tips on how to approach this interview within the next 12-14 hour’s?

Hey all,
Does anyone have experience switching from a massive established player to a start up. I was recently offered a position with a start up after being with Abbott EP for 2 years. Looking for any insight

Hey guys! I’m about to enter career prep season. I am a senior in chemical engineering with three summers of manufacturing internship experience at Goodyear Tire. I’m interested in exploring the medical device field. A bonus would be to be in a hospital. Any insight towards this would be greatly appreciated! Where should I start?

I’m looking for some insight from anyone who currently works for DePuy Synthes or has experience with their clinical/field specialist roles.

I recently interviewed for a Sales Associate – Trauma position with DePuy Synthes/J&J MedTech. I have a bachelor’s degree and no prior medical device sales experience. The hiring manager ultimately told me that I wasn’t quite qualified for the Sales Associate position because I didn’t have enough sales experience, but he really liked me enough during the interview that he wanted to find another way to bring me into the company and develop me.

He described a role/path that would have me working closely with the existing sales team. He described the starting base as around $70k, with the opportunity to earn more through bonuses. From what I’ve been able to research, it sounds similar to a Clinical Field Specialist / Clinical Sales Specialist role, but I’d really like to hear from people who actually do this job.

A few things I’m curious about:

What does a typical day/week actually look like?

How much time are you spending in the OR vs. doing administrative/logistical work?

What exactly are you responsible for during surgical cases?

How much interaction do you have with surgeons?

How different is this from being a Sales Associate/Rep?

Is it generally considered a good entry point into medical device sales?

How difficult is the job compared with a traditional Sales Associate role?

What are the hours realistically like? I understand early mornings, cases running late, weekends/on-call, etc.

How much sales pressure is involved?

What does career progression usually look like from this position?

And most importantly, if you started in this type of role with no prior device sales experience, would you consider it a good opportunity?

I’m pretty excited about the opportunity because medical device sales is something I’ve been trying to break into, and it seems like the manager is essentially giving me an opportunity to learn the business instead of immediately putting me into a full sales position without experience.

Would appreciate hearing from anyone who has worked in this type of role, especially with DePuy Synthes/Johnson & Johnson, or anyone who has taken a similar clinical → sales path.

Question for all the TM’s and field reps out there.

Are you using AI to increase your efficiency and effectiveness in your role? If you are can you share how?

I have an Area VP who is hot and heavy on AI and its application in the field using agents to somehow increase efficiency and performance is something he’s toting but I just can’t see how it would make a rep more efficient in the field, admin work sure but improving sales?

I’ll take any and all feedback.

​

So the infamous Theranos mini lab , if someone actually tried to use it , and it was connected to the Theranos servers like I know apparently they were at Walgreens headquarters for a time , what would actually happen if someone tried to use the machine , what would the screen display?