Staff Engineer, Fluidic Systems Architecture, and Integration

Staff Engineer, Fluidic Systems Architecture, and Integration

Location: San Diego, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Salary: $150,000 - $160,000

Position Overview

We are seeking a Staff Fluidics Engineer to drive design, modeling, and implementation of complex fluidic subsystems within our bioinstrumentation platform. You will own the full lifecycle — from concept through prototyping, system integration, and transfer to manufacturing — working closely with cross-functional teams in mechanical design, controls, assay development, and software.  You will bring deep expertise in microfluidics and mesofluidics, along with hands-on experience developing reliable, manufacturable fluidic systems for biological or analytical instruments.

This role is a unique opportunity to be a central contributor to the core platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and optimize fluidic subsystem architectures for precision biological instruments, including microfluidic chips, manifolds, valves, pumps, and sensors.
• Collaborate with assay scientists to translate biological requirements into engineering specifications.
• Develop Fluidic system first-order models of performance, run-time, and cost to drive architecture decisions.
• Prototype and characterize fluidic subsystems, performing root-cause analysis and iterative design improvements.
• Define fluidic control strategies, including pressure, flow, and volume regulation under dynamic biological conditions.
• Develop custom metrology to measure the performance of the Fluidics Platform. Experience with image analysis software is desirable.
• Integrate fluidic and mechanical systems with electronics, sensors, and control software.
• Develop Test Software scripts (Python) to exercise the Fluidic Platform and enable testing and optimization.
• Drive Engineering Verification Testing, demonstrating that sub-system requirements are met.
• Interface with suppliers and manufacturing partners to optimize reliability, scalability, and cost.
• Drive DFM/DFX (Design for Manufacturability / Design for Excellence) for all fluidic components.
• Contribute to patent filings, technical documentation, and design history files as part of regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

Required:

• BA/BS with 8+ years, MA/MS with 6+ years or Ph.D. with 3+ years of experience in Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• A minimum of 5+ years of experience in fluidic system design for life science instruments (e.g., DNA sequencers, cell sorters, flow cytometers, lab-on-chip devices, or diagnostic analyzers).
• Demonstrated expertise in microfluidic or mesoscale fluid handling, including pressure-driven, syringe-pump, or pneumatic control systems.
• Strong understanding of fluid-material interactions, bubble management, and thermal effects in biological fluids.
• Proven experience leading system-level integration efforts for NGS platforms or related high-complexity instruments.
• Familiarity with the unique performance requirements of NGS, including reagent fluidics, temperature control, and other process tolerances.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with regulatory and quality considerations for life science instruments.

Why Join Us

• Influence the foundational technologies and strategies of a company poised to shape the future of clinical genomics and healthcare.
• Work in a dynamic, collaborative environment where innovation and scientific rigor are deeply valued.
• Join a seasoned and multidisciplinary team tackling high-impact problems at the intersection of science and engineering.
• Competitive compensation and equity package, comprehensive benefits, and flexibility to support work-life integration.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We thrive on diversity and collaboration.