Principal Engineer, Advanced Development

Werfenlife SA.; Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k with employer match

Paid vacation and sick leave

Job summary

Werfen Bedford is seeking a Principal Engineer in Advanced Development to lead the creation of next-generation sensor technologies for life science and diagnostic applications. The role requires deep expertise in sensor technology, electrochemistry, and engineering, with collaboration across R&D, science, and business units to explore prefeasibility and feasibility studies.

The team aims to develop novel detection modalities for point-of-care devices, delivering innovative, high-impact solutions

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science or related field.
• Twelve years of product development or relevant experience; advanced degrees may substitute for experience.
• Proficiency in English is required.

Responsibilities

• Optimize and develop novel sensor technologies for next-generation diagnostic devices.
• Provide engineering guidance to design optimal solutions; hands-on, with team support as needed.
• Lead or mentor junior team members and interns as required.
• Maintain thorough documentation, write reports and technical summaries.
• Communicate progress to cross-functional groups and stakeholders.

Skills

Lab-on-a-chip

Electrochemistry

Sensor technology

Engineering

Biomedical engineering

Microfluidics

BSL-2 lab work

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science or related field

Job description

Principal Engineer, Sensor Technology - Advanced Development

Werfen - Bedford - 180 Hartwell Road Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 United States

Country

United States

Shift

1st

About the Position

Introduction

Werfen

Werfen is a growing, family-owned, innovative company founded in 1966 in Barcelona, Spain. We are a worldwide leader in specialized diagnostics in the areas of Hemostasis, Acute Care Diagnostics, Transfusion, Autoimmunity, and Transplant. Through our Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) business line, we research, develop, and manufacture customized assays and biomaterials. We operate directly in 30 countries, and in more than 100 territories through distributors. Our Headquarters and Technology Centers are located in the US and Europe, and our workforce is more than 7,000 strong.

Our success comes from a specific focus in these rapidly evolving diagnostic areas, our commitment to customers, and our dedication to innovation and quality. We’re passionate about providing healthcare professionals the most valuable and complete solutions to improve hospital efficiency and enhance patient care.

Overview

Position Summary:

The Advanced Development team is seeking an innovative, highly motivated and experienced Principal Engineer to be part of our innovative team focused on developing the next generation of products for life science applications in the medical device industry.

This role requires expertise and strong knowledge in the fields of sensor technology, electrochemistry, and engineering. In this role, you will work closely with engineers and scientists within Advanced Development, while also collaborating with cross-functional teams for exploratory, prefeasibility, and feasibility studies. This role will be integral in developing novel sensor technologies, approaches, and detection modalities for the next generation of point-of-care technology, with an aim toward improving patient care and healthcare accessibility.

The Advanced Development Group is the advanced R&D team at Werfen Bedford. We focus on creating long-term, differentiated solutions for our core business by exploring emerging technologies and applying them to key customer requirements. As a member of this team, you will be empowered to independently evaluate, select, and apply advanced engineering techniques or theories within your specialty and related disciplines.

The annual base salary range for this role is currently $150,000 to $185,000. Individual employee compensation will ultimately depend on factors including education, relevant experience, skillset, knowledge, and particular business needs.

This role is eligible for medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k plan retirement benefits with an employer match, as well as paid vacation and sick leave.

Responsibilities

Key Accountabilities:

As a Principal Engineer in Advanced Development, you will optimize and develop novel sensor technologies for next generation diagnostic applications and point-of-care medical devices. You will provide engineering expertise and guidance to design optimal solutions and novel approaches. As an individual contributor, project-work is hands‑on, with support from team members as needed to successfully execute your work. Operating under the general direction of a functional manager, you will contribute within one or more areas of responsibility specific to the function.

Essential Functions:

• Support the team as an individual contributor demonstrating effective collaboration internally and cross-functionally, with strong practical knowledge of sensor technology, electrochemistry, engineering and demonstrated strong understanding of chemistry.
• Plan, execute, delegate, and prioritize projects. Design and conduct lab-scale experiments to increase fundamental understandings of process parameters. Accountable for delivering assigned work products in accordance with approved schedules. Comfortable providing project updates to cross‑functional groups, including R&D, Business Development, Marketing, Intellectual Property, and senior management
• Apply scientific method and experimental design in problem solving. Uses scientific expertise to provide solutions to a broad range of difficult problems. Solutions are original, thorough and practical.
• Consistently communicate progress status to direct supervisor.
• Work closely with chemists, engineers, data scientists, and medical experts to develop cutting‑edge solutions
• Perform complicated or demanding assignments requiring specialized knowledge. Creative and innovative solutions are highly encouraged.
• Define short and mid‑term objectives and implements plan to accomplish objectives.
• May direct the work of other personnel or lead a project team. Mentoring and leading junior team members or interns as required.
• Maintain accurate, precise, and legible laboratory notebooks. Frequently communicate status updates across the organization. Maintain good documentation. Write reports and technical summaries. May represent the company to outside organizations.
• Continually broadens professional expertise through comprehensive knowledge of scientific literature and competitive products.
• Handle broad assignments and objectives under minimal supervision. Accomplishes short‑term objectives.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills & Capabilities:

The ideal candidate for this position will exhibit the following skills and capabilities:

• Knowledge of lab-on-a-chip technologies, biomedical applications, and basic detection methods.
• Ability to utilize peer-reviewed literature to guide assay development, optimization, and adaptation as required.
• Desired technical expertise in one or more of the following areas: electrochemistry, sensor technology, engineering, biomedical engineering, microfluidics
• Demonstrate broad technical curiosity and versatility across multiple technologies and engineering disciplines, with a strong inclination toward creative, “out-of-the-box” problem solving. Develop and test novel approaches and methods as required. Skilled at performing biosafety level two (BSL2) laboratory experiments while adhering to safety practices
• Use of advanced analytical and metrology instrumentation and techniques to characterize components.
• Critically analyze and interpret data, communicating research findings to the broader team, collaborators, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrate flexibility to collaborate with multiple teams and adapt to changing priorities

Qualifications

Minimum Knowledge & Experience Required for the Position:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science or a related field

Experience:

• Twelve years of product development or relevant experience
• Eight to ten years of product development or relevant experience for advanced degrees
• For internal candidate promotion: Demonstrated proficiency in meeting all competencies of current level and acceptable performance history may be used in lieu of experience

Additional Skills/Knowledge:

• Language: Proficiency in English language required

Minimum Knowledge & Experience Required for the Position:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science or a related field

Experience:

• Twelve years of product development or relevant experience
• Eight to ten years of product development or relevant experience for advanced degrees
• For internal candidate promotion: Demonstrated proficiency in meeting all competencies of current level and acceptable performance history may be used in lieu of experience
• In vitro medical device experience highly desired

Additional Skills/Knowledge:

• Language: Proficiency in English language required

International Mobility:

• Required: No

Travel Requirements:

• Some domestic and international travel may be required.

Werfen is an Equal Opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workplace. Werfen strictly prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment or retaliation based upon an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin/ancestry, age, mental/physical disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as defined by applicable state or federal law. If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact [e-mail] for assistance.

We operate directly in over 30 countries, and in more than 100 territories through distributors. Annual revenue is approximately $2 billion and more than 7,000 employees around the world comprise our Werfen team.