Instrument Systems Engineer

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc; Westbrook (ME); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Dental/Vision benefits Day-One

5% matching 401k

Employee stock program

Volunteer paid days off

Job summary

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. seeks an entry‑level Instrument Systems Engineer for the Westbrook, ME site.

You will lead embedded system concepts, define architectures, and work with business experts, manufacturing partners, scientists, software and hardware engineers to evolve diagnostic instrumentation. You will coordinate development from concept through validation, with real‑time embedded programming and rigorous testing to ensure reliable, cost‑effective products for veterinary care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering with 0–2 years of professional experience.
• Effective verbal and written communications skills for cross‑functional teams.
• Experience coordinating interests across disciplines to solve problems.
• Ability to translate diverse requirements into architectures and work plans.
• Proficiency in analyzing test results and using measurement equipment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate product development from a complete integrated system perspective.
• Develop system architecture and allocate requirements within defined processes.
• Map components and ensure traceability across projects.
• Build margin for failure and verify products through testing and validation.
• Manage the system throughout the product development process and provide support.
• Adhere to design, development, documentation and verification practices.
• Develop real-time programs to control motion-enabled subsystems and test modifications.
• Evaluate field performance and troubleshoot by diagnosing root causes.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Systems thinking

Problem solving

Real-time embedded systems

Measurement equipment handling

Team coordination

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering (systems/biomedical/electrical/mechanical)

Tools

Python

JMP

Matlab

CAD

Microsoft 365

Measurement equipment

Job description

We are seeking an Instrument Systems Engineer to join our R&D Instrument Development team developing the next generations of world class IDEXX diagnostic instrumentation. The successful candidate will have a background in engineering and system analysis and will thrive in a complex and rapidly changing work environment.

This position will be part of a team that works with business experts, manufacturing partners, scientists, software engineers, and hardware engineers to maintain existing diagnostic systems and design new diagnostic systems. Communication and collaboration with a variety of stakeholders is a key skill. Experience with product requirements, characterization testing, and troubleshooting using functional decomposition are also critical.Experience in development and support of real-time embedded programs to control instrument subsystems is highly desirable.

This is an entry-level engineering position that requires being onsite 5 days per week in our Westbrook, ME location.

Why this role matters:

• This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to IDEXX's next instrument that will advance point-of-care diagnostics in veterinary practices.
• The team you are joining plays a pivotal role in meeting and exceeding customer expectations by delivering products that are easy to use, cost effective, and reliable.
• This role allows you to exercise a unique blend of skills ranging from systematic thinking to creativity to cross-functional collaboration.

In this role:

• You will coordinate product development efforts from a "product as complete integrated system" standpoint. This includes conceptualizing and evaluating technical feasibility of new product concepts and major changes to existing products, creating and communicating the vision for systems being developed, and working cross-functionally to consider the full spectrum of relevant aspects of product development and design.
• You will understand and help develop system architecture and complete picture of product requirements. Understand various talent and resources available and allocate requirements within defined processes/work streams to ensure they are accounted for and included in overall systems and final products. Characterize systems by breaking them down into their component parts, mapping out how each function will work within the overall system to make sure products will operate as intended. Build in traceability through allocation so each project segment can be verified and validated.
• You will account for margin for failure in designs, building extra leeway into products so they continue to function despite potential problems.
• You will qualify products by determining measurable product requirement standards. Verify and validate that products function as designed by testing and measuring performance.
• You will manage overall system throughout entire product development process, providing consultative support and ensuring each system piece is progressing and integrated according to plan.
• You will adhere to good design, development, documentation, and verification of systems design practices.
• You will support engineering functional excellence objectives.
• You will develop real-time programs to control motion-enabled subsystems, allowing these to move and perform various mechanical functions necessary to achieve their purpose of design. Create designs, configure and code programs to the design specifications.
• You will evaluate field performance of existing systems and troubleshoot any problems by diagnosing faults, investigating root causes, and reverse-engineering.
• You will specify, implement and test modifications to existing software.

What you need to succeed:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (e.g., systems, biomedical, chemical, electrical, mechanical, optical, software) with 0-2 years of professional experience.
• Effective verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to communicate a complex array of issues both within the immediate development team and to other parts of the organization.
• Experience working within cross-functional teams, with an ability to coordinate interests from a wide range of scientific and engineering disciplines in building solutions to business and technical problems.
• Comfortability within fast-paced environments and in dealing with changes to stakeholder needs and technical requirements.
• Ability to synthesize diverse product requirements into straightforward architectures, create allocated work plans, and report on status and commitments.
• Proficiency in analyzing test results, assessing probable failure modes, and developing and executing appropriate corrective action.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications.
• Experience using and maintaining measurement equipment.

Preferred:

• Working knowledge of high-level programming languages such as Python.
• Familiar with source level software debugging techniques and related tools.
• Working knowledge of analytical tools such as JMP, Matlab, and computer aided design (CAD) software.
• Exposure to AI tools such as Claude, Copilot, Gemini, etc.
• Understanding of UML specifications of system and software design elements.

Desired:

• Good understanding of life and biological sciences.

What you can expect from us:

• Salary starting at $70,000
• Opportunity for annual cash bonus
• Health / Dental / Vision Benefits Day-One
• 5% matching 401k
• Additionalbenefits including but not limited to financial support, pet insurance, mentalhealth resources, volunteer paid days off, employee stock program, foundation donationmatching, and much more

Why IDEXX:

We're proud of the work we do, because our work matters. An innovation leader in every industry we serve since 1983, our team members help pet owners worldwide keep their companion animals healthy and happy, ensure safe drinking water for billions, and help farmers protect livestock and poultry from disease.

We have customers in over 175 countries and a collaborative global workforce. Our culture embraces challenges and encourages learning and discovery. At IDEXX, you'll be supported by competitive compensation, incentives, and benefits while enjoying purposeful work that drives improvement.

If meaningful work and a sense of purpose are at the top of your list, you'll find it here. Let's pursue what matters together.

EEO Statement:

IDEXX values a diverse workforce and workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. IDEXX is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.