Engineer II, Microfluidic Process

slingshotbiosciences; Emeryville (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Slingshot Biosciences in Emeryville, CA seeks a Microfluidic Process Engineer II to lead development, optimization, and scaling of PDMS microfluidic chips and polymeric base beads. You will own in-house PDMS fabrication and drive transfer to CMOs, while ensuring QA/QA and GMP-aligned practices across production.

The role requires a strong background in microfluidics, PDMS, and quality systems (ISO 9001/17034/13485) with 8+ years in biotech or related fields; MS or PhD with fewer years accepted.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Biomedical Engineering or related with 8+ years in biotech or med tech.
• M.S. with 6+ years or Ph.D. with 3+ years in biotech or related field.
• Experience leading microfluidics development and scale-up projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead PDMS chip outsourcing and technical transfer to CMOs with IQC specs.
• Oversee internal PDMS chip production including lithography, casting, bonding, QC.
• Develop, test, and optimize microfluidic prototypes.
• Serve as SME for all PDMS-related equipment.

Skills

Microfluidics

PDMS

Quality Assurance

Process scale-up

Team leadership

Education

B.S. in Biomedical Engineering or related

M.S. in related field

Ph.D. in related field

Tools

ISO 9001

ISO 17034

ISO 13485

eMBR

PDMS equipment

Job description

Slingshot Biosciences is a fast-growing life sciences company with a platform technology and paradigm-shifting mission to make precision-engineered cell mimics the gold standard for all cell-based assay controls. We are transforming cell-based applications with the most robust, scalable, and reproducible controls available, including TruCytes™ Biomarker controls, SpectraComp® compensation controls, ViaComp® cell health controls, and FlowCytes® instrument controls.

Our TruCytes cell mimics precisely replicate real cells' optical and biochemical properties - without the sourcing, quality, or cost challenges of traditional controls. Trusted in cell-based applications across cell therapy, drug development, and diagnostics, they empower process and analytical development, quality control, potency assessments, multi-site validations, clinical research studies, and assay development and validation.

Slingshot is seeking motivated, creative team members who think outside the box. We empower employees to own their work, contribute ideas quickly, and improve processes. Come join our cross-disciplinary and world-class team that is delivering game-changing solutions for cell-based applications!

We're looking for a highly skilled and operationally-minded Microfluidic Process Engineer II to lead the development, optimization, and scaling of our microfluidic consumables and cell mimic products. This role bridges high-precision microfluidic chip fabrication with scalable commercial manufacturing. You'll own the end-to-end in-house PDMS chip fabrication process while strategically leading the transition of these chips to external contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs). You'll also directly oversee the day-to-day production of Slingshot's polymeric base beads. Reporting to the Senior Director of Engineering, this individual plays a vital cross-functional role, carrying significant responsibilities in supporting Slingshot's Manufacturing Department while driving Quality Assurance (QA) improvements and standards across the production lifecycle.

Learn more about Slingshot and what we do:

See what Cell Mimics can do

About Slingshot Biosciences

Location: On-site in Emeryville, CA. This role reports to the Senior Director of Engineering.

What You'll Do:

Microfluidic Consumables & Outsourcing Strategy:

• Lead PDMS chip outsourcing: own the strategic technical transfer and transition of Slingshot's PDMS microfluidic chips from in-house microfabrication to high-volume external contract manufacturers; establish raw material specifications, critical dimensions, and incoming quality control (IQC) protocols.
• Manage and execute internal PDMS chip production, including silicon wafer photolithography/design, wafer manufacturing, PDMS casting, curing, plasma bonding, surface silanization, and chip QC.
• Hands-on development, testing, and optimization of microfluidic prototypes.
• Serve as primary user/manager and SME for all PDMS-related equipment.

Reagent Production & Scale-Up:

• Direct and oversee day-to-day manufacturing of Slingshot's polymeric base beads to guarantee on-time delivery, high quality, and consistent functional properties.
• Define critical process parameters (CPPs) and critical quality attributes (CQAs) for bead chemistry and microfluidic chip operations to drive continual process improvements that improve yield and minimize process noise.
• Identify and validate alternative sources of critical raw materials; develop incoming QC processes to ensure supply chain robustness.
• Serve as SME for base bead QC and microfluidic system characterization methods.

QA & QMS Support:

• Drive strict adherence to Slingshot's Quality Management System (QMS) under relevant frameworks such as ISO 9001, 17034, and 13485.
• Lead root-cause analysis (RCA) and technical investigations for non-conformances (NCRs), establish Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs), and author Engineering Change Controls (CCs).
• Draft, update, and validate SOPs, electronic Master Batch Records (eMBRs), and equipment technical qualification protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ) to support quality assurance, technology transfer, and manufacturing scale-up.

General Manufacturing & Departmental Support:

• Provide cross-functional operational support to general Manufacturing Department operations, consumables assembly, chemical inventory management, and general lab readiness.
• Help train and onboard technicians, manufacturing associates, and junior engineering team members on chemical handling, microfluidic techniques, and safety standards.
• Act as a chemical safety leader, ensuring full compliance with laboratory health and safety guidelines regarding solvents, plasma bonding systems, and cleanroom protocols.

What You'll Bring:

B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Materials Science, or a related STEM discipline with 8+ years of industry experience; or an M.S. with 6+ years; or a Ph.D. with 3+ years of industry experience in a biotech or medi