As a Process Development Engineer on Illumina's Flow Cell Technical Operations team, you will own and sustain bonding equipment and processes critical to Flow Cell Mechanical Operations. You will maintain process capability, improve equipment performance, and support day-to-day manufacturing execution while enabling the introduction and scale-up of new products, processes, and technologies.
This role will collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Quality, and cross-functional engineering teams. You will solve complex technical problems, drive continuous improvement, and ensure bonding equipment and associated automation systems reliably support a growing and increasingly complex product pipeline.
Responsibilities- Sustain, troubleshoot, and improve bonding equipment and manufacturing systems supporting high-volume production.
- Own day-to-day manufacturing performance, including yield, utilization, throughput, and efficiency.
- Apply materials, mechanical, process, and systems-level knowledge to improve process performance and manufacturability.
- Develop and execute experimental plans, DOEs, SPC responses, and risk assessments for on-market support and new product transfers.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on equipment reliability, throughput, process capability, and process control.
- Develop and maintain Camstar MES models to support automation workflows.
- Create and execute test plans for equipment and software with defined requirements and acceptance criteria.
- Troubleshoot bonding equipment, automation systems, mechanical assemblies, and process-related issues across integrated manufacturing platforms.
- Champion a strong safety culture through participation in safety risk assessments and mitigation activities.
- Support cross-functional and cross-site efforts, including site transfers, equipment qualifications, and remote troubleshooting.
- Document equipment changes, investigations, validations, and process improvements in compliance with regulated manufacturing requirements.
Requirements- Experience in biotech, pharmaceutical, chemical, semiconductor, medical device, or other high-tech manufacturing environments is a plus.
- Experience sustaining or developing automated manufacturing equipment, bonding equipment, assembly equipment, or precision automation systems is a plus.
- Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing in regulated or quality-driven environments preferred.
- Experience with SPC, DOEs, statistical analysis, and data-driven process improvement is a plus.
- Strong computer skills, including data analysis, automation systems, and manufacturing execution systems.
- Experience with product or process development lifecycles and basic project management is preferred.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively across departments.
- Hands-on experience troubleshooting complex mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, automation, instrumentation, or process systems.
- Camstar MES experience a plus.
- Experience supporting multiple manufacturing sites in a global environment is a plus.
Experience / Education- 0 to 2 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent work experience.
The estimated base salary range for the Engineer 1 - Process Development role based in the United States of America is: $68,400 - $102,600. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. The range reflects long-term growth in the role; therefore, most candidates are hired between the minimum and middle of the range. Placement depends on experience, skills, location, and internal equity. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.
