Principal Mechanical Engineer

Sarmal

San Diego, Northern (CA, KY)

Hybrid

USD 165,000 - 200,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Company-paid life insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Generous paid time off

Voluntary benefits & discounts

Job summary

Sarmal, Inc. in San Diego is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical and electromechanical architecture for our point-of-care molecular diagnostic platform, from concept to product launch.

This hands-on senior individual contributor role requires driving the instrument and consumable designs, setting technical direction for CDMOs and external vendors, and establishing internal hardware practices as the platform matures. On-site in San Diego, California.

Qualifications

Proven track record designing electro-mechanical, fluidic, optical and thermal systems throughout product development lifecycle.
Experience with fluidic-driven designs, preferably microfluidics in life sciences or POC fields.
Experience designing or supporting custom consumables and alignment mechanisms.
Fluency across fluidic, optical, mechatronic and electrical systems for system-level decisions.
Proven DF(M) capabilities across manufacturing processes including molding and machining.
Strong collaboration with vendors, outsourcing partners, and CDMOs.
Hands-on contributor in an early-stage environment.
Excellent written and spoken communication skills.

Responsibilities

Translate requirements into robust mechanical/electromechanical architectures for instrumentation.
Lead instrument development from concept through transfer to manufacturing.
Oversee design and integration of fluidics, motion, thermal, optical interfaces, and mechatronics.
Design custom consumables and disposable cartridges with precise interfaces.
Develop thermal modules for amplification and thermal cycling.
Build breadboard systems, prototypes, and reliability test setups.
Apply FEA, CFD, GD&T and tolerance analysis to guide designs.
Manage outsourced design partners, CDMOs, and key vendors.
Drive DFM/DFM across injection molding, machining, and automated assembly.
Define verification tests and risk analyses for qualification.
Maintain design history files and design inputs/outputs.
Mentor engineers and grow internal hardware capabilities.

Skills

Electro-mechanical

Fluidic systems

Optical systems

Thermal management

Vendor management

Project leadership

GD&T

Education

B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field

Tools

SolidWorks CAD

Job description

Company Overview

Sarmal, Inc. is a San Diego–based biotechnology company developing next-generation genomics and molecular detection platforms. Our work integrates molecular biology, chemistry, and advanced systems engineering to enable faster, more precise, and more accessible genomic insights.

We are a highly collaborative, R&D-driven team operating in a fast-paced, early-stage environment. Our scientists and engineers work across disciplines to solve complex technical challenges and translate innovation into scalable, real-world applications.

At Sarmal, we value scientific rigor, curiosity, and a builder mindset. We are looking for individuals who are energized by ambiguity, motivated by impact, and excited to help bring breakthrough technologies from concept to reality.

About the Job

We are seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to serve as instrument lead for our point-of-care molecular diagnostic platform, owning the mechanical and electromechanical architecture from concept through product launch.

This is a hands‑on senior individual contributor role. You will personally drive the design of both the instrument and its custom consumable, set the technical direction for outsourced design partners and contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), and establish the engineering practices that a growing internal hardware team will build on. The role operates with a high degree of independence, with the opportunity to scope and grow internal engineering capability as the platform matures. This is an on‑site position based in San Diego, California.

Key Responsibilities

Translate assay, biological, and user requirements into robust mechanical and electromechanical hardware architectures; define product requirements and subsystem specifications for fluidics-based instrumentation.
Serve as the technical lead for instrument development from concept through design transfer, product launch, and sustaining support.
Lead and support the design and integration of fluidic components, motion and actuation systems, thermal modules, optical interfaces, and the mechatronic and electrical systems that tie them together.
Lead the design of custom consumables and disposable cartridges, including fluidic routing, valving, sealing, and the registration and alignment mechanisms that define the instrument‑to‑consumable interface.
Develop precise thermal modules for amplification and thermal cycling, heating and cooling management, and automated motion systems.
Perform hands‑on design and build of breadboard systems, functional prototypes, and reliability test stations.
Apply analysis methods such as FEA, CFD, GD&T, and tolerance stack‑up analysis to guide and de‑risk designs.
Own and manage outsourced design partnerships, CDMOs, and key technology vendors, including scope definition, design reviews, milestone acceptance, and technical escalation.
Drive DFM and DFA across injection molding, machining, joining, and automated assembly processes, and support pilot builds and transfer to manufacturing.
Define and support design verification testing at the system and subsystem level, including reliability, durability, and environmental testing.
Author and maintain design inputs and outputs, risk analyses, and design history file content as the platform advances from research use toward a regulated in‑vitro diagnostic product.
Drive alignment with molecular biology, assay development, software, and manufacturing counterparts; mentor engineers and help define the internal hardware function as the team grows.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Proven track record of designing reliable electro‑mechanical, fluidic, optical and thermal systems throughout the product development life cycle, from concept to product launch to sustaining support
Experience with designs for fluid‑ly driven systems, preferably for microfluidic applications in the life science, molecular diagnostic, or point‑of‑care fields
Demonstrated experience designing or supporting custom consumables and their associated registration and alignment mechanisms
Working fluency across fluidic, optical, mechatronic, and electrical systems sufficient to own system‑level architecture and integration decisions
Proven track record with design for manufacturability, with a working understanding of a variety of manufacturing processes including injection molding, machining, and automated assembly
Fluency in SolidWorks CAD, with strong command of GD&T and tolerance stack‑up analysis
Strong collaboration skills and demonstrated experience directing vendors, outsource design partners, and CDMOs, with accountability for their technical deliverables
Comfort operating as a hands‑on individual contributor in an early‑stage environment, with the judgment to determine what to build internally versus outsource
Excellent written and oral communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

Experience applying FEA and CFD tools to thermal, fluid, and structural analysis
Experience developing medical devices or in‑vitro diagnostics under FDA design controls and ISO 13485, and/or familiarity with cGMP manufacturing environments
Experience with point‑of‑care or near‑patient instrument constraints, including size, cost, usability, and robustness outside of a laboratory setting
Experience with nucleic acid amplification instrumentation (PCR or isothermal) or automated sample preparation
Experience with manufacturing systems and workflows, pilot production, and design transfer
Experience mentoring engineers or standing up an internal engineering function

Education & Experience

B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field with 12+ years of industry experience within product development or new product introduction organizations. An equivalent combination of education and directly applicable industry experience will also be considered.

Benefits & Perks

Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Company‑paid life insurance
401(k) retirement plan
Generous paid time off
Access to additional voluntary benefits, employee perks, and discount programs
We are committed to supporting the well‑being of our employees and providing a strong foundation for both professional and personal success.

$165,000 - $200,000 a year

California Pay Transparency Statement

The anticipated salary range for this position is $165,000 – $200,000, depending on experience and qualifications. Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, location, relevant experience, skill set, and internal equity considerations.

EEO Statement

Sarmal is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

Sarmal is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and consider all qualified candidates in accordance with applicable laws.

Why Join Sarmal