Principal Electrical Systems Architect

PacBio; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 196,000 - 294,000; Full time

Job summary

PacBio seeks a Principal Electrical Systems Engineer to own the electrical system architecture for DNA sequencing instruments. You will design, prototype, and validate cables, harnesses, boards, and interfaces, collaborating across firmware, software, and manufacturing to deliver reliable, scalable instruments.

You will lead design reviews, assess margins and safety requirements, and work with NPIs and suppliers to ensure production readiness and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical or Computer Engineering or related field.
• Strong hands-on schematic capture and PCB design with professional EDA tools.
• Experience with USB, CAN, or EtherCAT interfaces in architectures.
• Experience collaborating with suppliers and manufacturing partners.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain instrument system level electronic block diagrams.
• Design, prototype, and validate cables and wire harnesses for production.
• Develop and validate complex mixed-signal boards with processors and FPGAs.
• Collaborate with firmware, software, mechanical, and optical teams.
• Lead system-level troubleshooting and implement reliability improvements.
• Ensure designs meet regulatory and safety requirements.

Skills

Schematic capture

PCB design/layout

Cable and harness design

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

Altium

Cadence

PCB layout

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Job description

PacBio seeks a Principal Electrical Systems Engineer to own the electrical system architecture for DNA sequencing instruments. You will design, prototype, and validate cables, harnesses, boards, and interfaces, collaborating across firmware, software, and manufacturing to deliver reliable, scalable instruments.

You will lead design reviews, assess margins and safety requirements, and work with NPIs and suppliers to ensure production readiness and regulatory compliance.