Principal Mechanical Engineer

Cellanome; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biotechnology start-up seeks a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join its Product Development team in Foster City. This pivotal role involves transforming lab prototypes into commercial hardware instruments while collaborating with cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates have extensive experience in opto-mechanical design and precision motion systems.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous stock options

Family health plans

401(k) options

Work-life balance flexibility

Qualifications

• Minimum of 18 years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Experience in biotech or life sciences with complex instrument development.
• Strong understanding of precision motion control technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and development of hardware instruments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate subsystems.
• Conduct simulations to validate designs and optimize components.

Skills

Opto-mechanical design

Precision motion systems

Mechanical design

3D CAD software

Material selection

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

PhD

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

ANSYS

COMSOL

Job description

1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

We’re a well-funded start-up. You’ll get a chance to wear many hats, be a part of a growing team, and have the potential for exciting financial and career growth.

Here’s what sets us apart. We’ve set our sights on some of the biggest challenges facing biology today. We’re amassing a world class team of engineers, scientists, team builders and problem solvers to tackle these challenges heads-on. We’re passionate about developing the next generation technologies that will unravel the complexities of biology.

This is a unique opportunity to build, be part of an exciting start-up and be surrounded by good humans who are super capable, humble and down-to- earth.

We are looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer join our Product Development team to build and iterate a full-fledged commercial hardware instrument from lab prototypes. The role reports to the Sr. Principal Engineer.

Essential Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead the mechanical design and development of a commercial hardware instrument, transforming lab prototypes into market-ready products.
• Design, analyze, and optimize precision mechanical components and assemblies, ensuring manufacturability and cost-effectiveness.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including optical, software, and systems engineers, to ensure seamless integration of subsystems.
• Develop and implement robust motion control mechanisms tailored to the platform's requirements.
• Evaluate and integrate optical sub-systems, ensuring alignment and stability within the instrument.
• Drive the selection of materials, components, and manufacturing processes to meet product specifications and compliance standards.
• Conduct tolerance analysis, FEA analysis, and other simulations to validate designs.
• Oversee prototyping, testing, and iterative refinement of mechanical systems to meet performance and reliability goals.
• Establish and maintain detailed design documentation, including CAD models, engineering drawings, and assembly instructions.
• Work with manufacturing partners and sub-components vendors for prototyping and testing of first articles.
• Ability to travel occasionally, including internationally.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 18 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 15 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 12 years experience.
• Biotech, life sciences, semiconductor or related industry experience with a focus on developing complex instruments or devices.
• Proven experience in opto-mechanical design and precision motion systems, with a focus on high-accuracy applications.
• Strong understanding of precision motion control technologies, such as linear actuators, stepper motors, piezoelectric actuators, and encoders.
• Solid understanding of opto-mechanical systems integration, including optics, lasers, and imaging systems.
• Proficiency with common fabrication techniques such as machining, injection molding, 3D printers, laser cutters as well as test and measurement equipment.
• Experience with materials selection, tolerance analysis and FEA simulation to enhance design robustness.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo) and analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS, COMSOL).
• Proven history of impactful involvement in a product development environment from concept to production.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for diverse audiences.
• Valid passport and driver’s license.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the Essential Duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• MATLAB, LabView, and/or Zemax experience.
• Scripting language experience (Python).
  
  

The estimated base salary range for this position is $190,000 - $230,000/year. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

What You Can Expect From Us

You’ll feel the energy when you walk in our door – we work hard, we have fun and we have ambitious plans to grow. Cellanome offers a comprehensive employment package that includes a competitive salary, generous stock options, great individual, and family health plans, a 401(k) and flexibility to balance work and life.

We embrace and celebrate the diversity of our employees. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, veteran status, or other class protected by applicable law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering and Information Technology

• Industries

  Biotechnology

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