Back to jobs
New

Senior Engineer (Engineer II), Microfluidics

Emeryville, CA

Our north star is to make healthcare more accessible around the world. We are doing this by advancing cell biology to develop innovative solutions for human health.

Founded in 2012, and located in one of the largest biotech hubs in the world, Slingshot Biosciences is a growing life sciences company with a platform technology and paradigm-shifting mission to make synthetic cells the gold standard for all cell-based applications.  We currently have a suite of products that allow for rapid, stable instrument deployment and are poised to make headway into clinical markets with controls for engineered cell therapies.

At Slingshot, we value diversity and believe that a variety of backgrounds and experiences leads to more innovative ideas and a better understanding of our customers. Passion is at the core of our values, and employees are encouraged to pursue their passions in their work and contribute to the company's overall mission.

We desire motivated team members who appreciate the freedom to be creative and think outside the box to solve problems.  We offer an environment where employees are empowered to take ownership of their work, and have the ability to quickly contribute new ideas and iterate on current processes.  In everything we do, we are dedicated to delivering top-quality products and services to our customers which ultimately makes a significant impact on patient care.

Slingshot Biosciences is seeking an experienced Microfluidics Engineer to lead the development of our next-generation microfluidic platform, including instrumentation and chip design and development, testing, and validation as well as reagent kit development and optimization.  This role will require proficiency in developing and evaluating custom instrumentation hardware and software as well as in-depth knowledge of microfluidic chip prototyping and translation of designs to larger-scale production.  Proactive communication, diligent execution and documentation of complex workflows, and a highly collaborative mindset will be critical to success.  We also place a premium on creativity, intellectual curiosity, flexibility, resiliency, drive, and a proactive, can-do attitude.  This is a full-time, on-site position at Slingshot’s headquarters in Emeryville, CA, reporting to the Director of Engineering and Core Research.  For the successful candidate this will be a fantastic opportunity in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and a chance to deliver products that will positively impact human health.

Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, test, validate, and troubleshoot custom instrumentation and processes for high-throughput microfluidics, integrating electromechanical components, optics, device control and image processing software, automated liquid handling, and custom labware and consumables.
  • Design, develop, test, validate, and troubleshoot prototype microfluidic chip designs and translate optimized designs to manufacturable formats, working with in-house experts, consultants, and external vendors.
  • Work in tandem with Process Development, Technical Operations, and Manufacturing staff to transfer, validate, and qualify new processes, equipment, consumables and reagent kits from R&D to Manufacturing to improve and throughput of production workflows.
  • Identify and validate alternative sources of critical raw materials, develop incoming QC processes to ensure supply chain robustness and consistent product quality.
  • Generate and deliver technical reports, lead technical reviews, generate SOPs, and train other technical staff.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
  • Advanced degree in bioengineering, chemical engineering, systems engineering, fluid dynamics or related field. PhD with 5+ years industry experience or Masters with 8+ years industry experience.
  • Experience in several of the following is required: microfluidic chip design and production, microfluidics instrumentation, droplet microfluidics, fluid dynamics, reagent development and optimization, optics, image processing algorithms, device control software development, lab automation (especially automated liquid handling, e.g. Hamilton or similar), experience in a start-up environment.
  • Experience with the following is preferred: flow cytometry, polymer chemistry, conjugation chemistry, protein chemistry, immunoassays, technology transfer, ISO-9001 / ISO-13485.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail.
  • Proactive approach to time management and effective task prioritization.
  • Strong problem-solving skills, eagerness and ability to troubleshoot experimental issues independently.
 
Our salary ranges are calculated by role and level. Your position within that range will be determined by your job-related knowledge, skills, experience, relevant education, and training/certifications. In addition to those factors, we also examine internal equity as well as consider current market rate, and title may be assessed one level lower or higher accordingly. After you join the company your performance, contributions, and results along with business and organizational needs will affect your base salary. The base salary range for this full-time position is between $150,000 - $175,000 + equity + benefits.

What we offer at Slingshot:

  • Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
  • Retirement Plan (401k)
  • Stock Option Plan
  • Paid Time Off (Vacation & Sick)
  • Family Leave
  • Life Insurance
  • Fully stocked break room with food, snacks and beverages

Slingshot Biosciences requires employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation. Proof of such vaccination will be required as part of the hiring process.

Slingshot Biosciences is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. 

 

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Slingshot Biosciences ’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.