Staff Systems Engineer

BD; Limerick; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Waters is seeking an experienced Staff Engineer to lead systems engineering for complex life science products from concept through validation. You will collaborate with Marketing, Hardware, Software, Firmware, Reagents, and Verification & Validation to translate customer needs into robust system requirements and innovative solutions.

As a senior technical contributor, you will drive architecture, risk assessment, testing strategies, and compliance with quality and regulatory standards, while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related discipline; Master’s degree or PhD preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in systems engineering, product development, or product design.
• Experience in flow cytometry or cell analysis areas such as signal processing, embedded systems, electronics, software, fluidics, optics, or reagents.
• Experience in technical leadership of complex projects.
• Experience in lab automation, LIS and 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance is highly desired.
• Experience in design control in a regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the systems engineering efforts for complex life science and diagnostic products throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Drive systems architecture, requirements management, risk assessment, prototype integration, characterization, and verification/validation activities.
• Mentor and guide other engineers, promote best practices, and build a high-performing engineering organization.

Skills

Systems engineering

Regulated environments

Design control

Leadership

Requirements management

Cytometry knowledge

Embedded systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline

Job description

As a result of the combination of the BD Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions business with Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT), by applying to this role, you will be applying for a position with Waters. Waters is a global leader in life sciences, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, Waters’ innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across biology, chemistry, and physics. Waters collaborates with analytical laboratories around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, assure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combatting growing antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, Waters’ passionate team of approximately 16,000 colleagues partner with customers to turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide.

We are the people who give possibilities purpose.

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Staff Engineer to lead the systems engineering efforts for complex life science and diagnostic products throughout the entire product development lifecycle. This role serves as a key technical leader, partnering with cross‑functional teams including Marketing, Hardware, Software, Firmware, Reagents, and Verification & Validation to translate customer needs into robust system requirements and innovative product solutions. The successful candidate will drive systems architecture, requirements management, risk assessment, prototype integration, characterisation, and verification and validation activities, ensuring products deliver exceptional customer experience while meeting quality and regulatory expectations.

As a senior technical contributor, the Staff Engineer will lead multidisciplinary engineering projects, support design reviews, develop and oversee testing strategies, and apply scientific and statistical methods to solve complex technical challenges. The role requires strong expertise in regulated product development environments, systems engineering principles, and product lifecycle management. In addition to providing technical direction and decision‑making, the Staff Engineer will mentor and guide other engineers, promote best practices, and contribute to building a high‑performing engineering organization focused on innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

About You

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related discipline, e.g., Biomedical, Physics, Chemical, Electrical, or Mechanical. Master’s degree or PhD preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in systems engineering, product development, or product design.
• Experience in one or more areas related to flow cytometry or cell analysis, such as signal processing, embedded systems, electronics, software, fluidics, optics, and/or assay reagents.
• Experience in technical leadership of complex projects.
• Experience in people management is a plus.
• Experience in lab automation, Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) and 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance is highly desired.
• Experience in design control in a regulated environment.
• Familiarity with external contract design and manufacturing facilities.
• Familiarity with regulations and compliance testing is desired.
• Previous Design Control Experience in a regulated environment; FDA experience desirable.

Knowledge And Skills

• In-depth knowledge in one or more areas related to cytometry or cell analysis, such as signal processing, embedded systems, electronics, or software. Knowledge of fluidics, optics, or reagents is also helpful.
• Knowledge in Functional Analysis, Interface Management, Maintaining Design Integrity, Scenario Generation.
• Experience in the system development lifecycles and Requirements definition, analysis, management and traceability (preferably with the use of software tools).
• Experience in developing architectural and interface designs through interaction with Hardware, Software, Firmware, and other subsystem design teams is a plus.
• Experience designing test plans, applying experimental techniques and statistical analysis for performance characterisation and root cause identification. Proficiency in developing and executing system integration and performance characterisation plans, and then executing these through virtual simulation and real test scenarios. Practical knowledge in creating test methods with appropriate scripting languages and tools is a plus.
• Ability to act independently to determine strategy for new assignments.

Salary Range: €85K - €95K.