Mechatronics Engineer (Full-time)

Objective Biotechnology; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Objective Biotechnology in Minneapolis, MN is seeking a hands-on Mechatronics Engineer to join a small, multidisciplinary team. The role covers R&D, manufacturing, and applications, with on-site work in the Bryn Mawr area and travel to customer sites.

You will design, prototype, and test electromechanical subsystems, support production, and assist customers with instrumentation at their labs, contributing to NIH SBIR/STTR funded projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechatronics, mechanical, electrical, robotics, or biomedical engineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience designing and building mechatronic systems: motors and motion control, sensors, embedded platforms, cameras/optics.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD and basic electronics work: schematics, PCB bring-up, soldering, bench instruments.
• Programming in Python and/or C/C++ for instrument control, data acquisition, or embedded firmware.
• Experience assembling, testing, or troubleshooting precision instruments; GD&T or machining a plus.
• Willing to travel to customer sites and work independently on the road.
• Eligible to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, build, and test electromechanical subsystems: motion control, sensors, optics, embedded electronics, firmware.
• Own engineering tasks and milestones under grants; collaborate with colleagues and document results.
• Run design verification experiments and iterate mechanical, electrical, and control designs.
• Assemble, calibrate, and quality-test instruments to meet production and shipping schedules.
• Design and maintain fixtures, test jigs, and QC procedures; improve manufacturability and second-source parts.
• Install, commission, and validate instrumentation at customer sites; train end users.

Skills

Mechatronic design

Python

C/C++

3D CAD (SolidWorks)

Schematic reading & PCB debugging

Travel to customer sites

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Mechatronics Engineer
(R&D, Manufacturing & Applications) - Full time

Location: Minneapolis – Bryn Mawr area (On-site, with travel)
Travel: Approximately 15–25% domestic, occasional international

About Objective Biotechnology

Objective Biotechnology is an innovative start-up located in Minneapolis, MN that designs and manufactures research-use-only instrumentation for gene editing and neuroscience labs around the world. We are passionate about advancing the frontiers of research through precision-engineered tools and systems.

We are seeking a hands‑on Mechatronics Engineer to join a small, multidisciplinary team. Backed by recently awarded NIH SBIR and STTR funding, you will help develop the next generation of instruments and support the scientists who use them. This role is ideal for an engineer who wants to see their work move from prototype to product to the field at a growing company.

Key Responsibilities

Research & Development

Design, prototype, build, and test electromechanical subsystems for assigned projects: motion control and actuation, sensors, cameras and optics, embedded electronics, and the firmware/software that ties them together.

Own engineering tasks and milestones under our grants, work with our collaborators, and contribute to technical reports, design documentation, and test data.

Run design verification experiments, analyze results, and iterate rapidly on mechanical, electrical, and control designs.

Manufacturing

Assemble, calibrate, and quality-test instruments and consumables to meet production and shipping schedules.

Design and maintain fixtures, test jigs, and assembly and QC procedures; drive design-for-manufacturability improvements and second-source critical parts.

Maintain build documentation, BOMs, inventory records, and perform acceptance testing and final checkout of systems before they ship.

Applications & Customer Support

Install, commission, and validate instrumentation at customer sites, and train end users on protocols and best practices.

Serve as a technical contact for customers — troubleshoot hardware, software, and application issues, reproduce reported problems in-house, and implement fixes or workarounds.

Develop and document application protocols, SOPs, and application notes, and support pre-sales demonstrations, feasibility discussions, and conference presence.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechatronics, mechanical, electrical, robotics, or biomedical engineering, or a related field.

Hands‑on experience designing and building mechatronic systems: motors and motion control (stepper/servo, linear stages), sensors, microcontrollers or embedded platforms, and cameras or optics.

Proficiency with 3D CAD (SolidWorks or similar) and with basic electronics work — reading schematics, PCB bring‑up and debugging, soldering, and using standard bench instruments.

Programming experience in Python and/or C/C++ for instrument control, data acquisition, or embedded firmware.

Experience assembling, testing, or troubleshooting precision instruments; familiarity with GD&T, tolerance analysis, or machining and 3D‑printing processes is a plus.

Laboratory experience with microscopy, micromanipulation, microinjection, electrophysiology, or model organism work (Drosophila, zebrafish, mouse) is a plus but not required.

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to researchers at all levels and to write clear documentation.

Willing and able to travel to customer sites and to work independently on the road.

Eligible to work in the United States.

Why Join Us?

Work across the full product lifecycle — research, design, manufacturing, and the customer’s lab — at a company small enough that your work is visible in the product within weeks, not quarters.

Contribute to NIH-funded R&D on robotic microinjection, robotic two-photon imaging, and neurotechnology tools, alongside scientists and engineers at the University of Minnesota and in labs at leading universities, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutes.

Build deep expertise across our full product line as we scale, with a clear path to broader technical or leadership responsibility.

Be part of a fast-growing startup backed by NIH SBIR and STTR funding, commercializing technology invented at the University of Minnesota.

Relocation assistance is not provided for this position