Staff Engineer - Flow Cell

At Element Biosciences, we are passionate about our mission to empower the scientific community with more freedom and flexibility to accelerate our collective impact on humanity. We have built a highly efficient product-driven organization where employees can learn, grow, and thrive in a challenging but encouraging environment. We are committed to scientific integrity, collegiality, honesty, objectivity, and openness.

We are seeking a talented and flexible Staff Engineer – Flow Cell to join a team responsible for the transfer of microfluidic and surface chemistry products to enable a growing portfolio of sequencing assays. The ideal candidate will have experience working with surface chemistries on glass substrates, developing quality control assays, writing software to enable automated analyses and developing robust processes for manufacturing. This is a terrific opportunity for someone who is ready to join a high-performing team and engage in late-stage product development.  This role will report to Sr Manager, Chemistry & Flow Cell Process Development and will be a San Diego based role.

If you possess the following and want to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to explore this role.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead projects in the microfluidics and surface chemistry areas to support the transfer and commercialization of products/processes, including development and implementation of surface deposition, quality control assays, and assembly processes
• Design, plan and execute experiments across many disciplines including microfluidics and surface chemistry
• Design, plan and execute product and process characterization experiments and stability studies
• Lead teams through process improvement projects by driving execution of experimental design, data analysis, presentation of outcomes and implementation of changes
• Build MES workflows, document user and system requirements, participate in product design and development, and support integration and testing activities
• Develop automated quality control processes relying on computer vision systems and image analysis software
• Work with development scientists/engineers and manufacturing to establish and improve standard operating procedures
• Lead investigations, troubleshoot product performance and manufacturing yield issues
• Lead development of supplier partners to support successful component development and product commercialization

Education and Experience:

• Educational background in chemistry, materials science, bioengineering, chemical engineering, materials engineering, or similar field of study preferred
• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree with more than 8 years of relevant experience, OR PhD with at least 3 years of relevant experience (an equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered
• Experience in pilot/production environments, including tech transfer activities, sustaining support, and continuous improvement is required
• Experience with production surface chemistry deposition processes (CVD, ALD, oxygen plasma, etc.) is a plus
• Experience with automation of production equipment and data analysis is a plus
• Experimental design, execution and statistical data analysis and visualization (such as JMP or R) are required; additional capabilities with image analysis and scripting are a plus
• Proficient with techniques and tools for process improvement, including Six Sigma, Eight Disciplines (8D) Problem Solving, Lean Principles, or equivalent is required
• Experience with chemical process engineering and related analytical techniques and metrology is a plus
• Creative and independent thinker; excellent communication skills; good team worker; ability to multitask and work independently; and ability to find creative solutions to problems are required
• Ability to work in teams to drive solutions to complex problems, tasks, and decisions is required
• Experience with computer software for manufacturing equipment and business systems is a plus
• Ability to produce high quality work with great attention to detail in a rapid and efficient manner

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently moves boxes weighing up to 20 pounds

Location:

• San Diego

Travel: 

• Domestic travel up to 10%

Job Type:

• Full-time/Exempt

Base Compensation Pay Range:

• $125,000 - $165,000

In addition to base compensation noted above, you will be eligible for stock options, discretionary annual bonus, no cost health insurance plans, 401k with company match, and flexible paid time off. 

Please note: Base compensation will depend on multiple factors, including geographic location, qualifications, and experience. 

We foster an environment such that all people are afforded the freedom to pursue their passions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.