About YouYou are a hands-on engineer who builds and tests hardware. You can assemble an instrument from drawings, write and run its test plan, and document both well enough for someone else to repeat the work. Our instrument combines fluidics, optics, thermal control, motion, electronics, software, and cell biology. You work across all of them with the engineers and scientists who design each subsystem, and you can make progress when drawings are incomplete and priorities shift.
Key Responsibilities- Assemble and integrate instruments - Build prototype instruments, subassemblies, and test rigs, including mechanical assembly, fluidic plumbing, cable harnesses, and sensor and actuator hookup. Bring up new builds with the design engineers, document deviations and fixes, and report assembly issues back to design.
- Plan tests - Work with design engineers and scientists to turn requirements into test plans and protocols with clear acceptance criteria, sample sizes, and measurement methods. Plan test campaigns for subsystems and the integrated instrument around upcoming design decisions.
- Execute tests - Run bench and integration tests on prototypes, subsystems, and full instruments, covering flow and volume accuracy, pressure, leak integrity, and thermal, optical, motion, and electrical performance. Support cell-based runs with our scientists, and build and maintain the fixtures and test harnesses the tests need.
- Document and analyze results - Write test reports that support design verification, and maintain traceability from requirements to test results. Characterize failures, file reproducible issue reports, and support root cause investigation and retest.
- Keep instruments running - Maintain our prototype instruments and test equipment, including preventive maintenance, calibration, cleaning, spare parts, and a record of each unit's hardware and software revision. Diagnose and repair faults, and help automate data capture and instrument health checks.
- Improve assembly instructions and SOPs - Follow our assembly instructions and SOPs as you build and test, and report what is unclear, wrong, or missing. Work with their authors on revisions.
- Mentor teammates - Train and mentor junior engineers and technicians on assembly, test execution, and documentation.
Requirements- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, biomedical, or mechatronics engineering, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
- 3 or more years of experience in instrument assembly, integration, test, or manufacturing engineering, preferably on electromechanical or laboratory instruments.
- Hands-on build skills: mechanical assembly from drawings, wiring and cable harnessing, fluidic tubing and fittings, and safe use of hand and power tools.
- Troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, fluidic, and software faults using multimeters, oscilloscopes, pressure and flow sensors, and data acquisition systems.
- Experience writing and executing test protocols and documenting builds and tests so others can reproduce them.
- Ability to read CAD models (Onshape or similar) and electrical schematics.
- Experience analyzing test data and drawing conclusions from it.
- Willingness to work with biological systems and learn aseptic technique.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience integrating and testing fluidic, optical, thermal, or motion control systems.
- Experience maintaining and calibrating lab or production equipment, or supporting equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ).
- Test automation or data acquisition scripting (Python, LabVIEW, or similar).
- Experience with embedded controllers, sensors, and motor drivers.
- Exposure to design controls, ISO 13485, or GMP documentation practices.
- Mammalian cell culture or biology lab experience.
- Early-stage startup experience.
BenefitsCompetitive salary and benefits package, including Medical, Dental, Vision, and 401k match.
Salary Range: $90,000 - $110,000, commensurate with experience
Benefits: We offer our employees comprehensive benefits, including medical, vision, and dental coverage, as well as retirement savings plans. Optional benefits include accident and term life offerings.
Agencies: We work directly with candidates and do not accept unsolicited resumes or referrals from recruitment agencies, search firms, or staffing companies. Any resumes submitted by an agency without a signed agreement in place will be considered the property of Exthymic and no fee will be owed. If you are interested in partnering with us on a future search, please contact our HR team directly.
