Principal Mechanical Engineer II, Next-Gen Sequencing Systems, Research & Early Development

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG; United States; On-site; USD 131,000 - 244,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Job summary

Roche in Santa Clara, CA is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to drive electro-mechanical, pneumatic, thermal, and fluidic subsystem development for next-generation sequencing platforms. You will define interfaces, own requirements, CAD models, BOMs, and troubleshooting with System Integration engineers.

The role requires a degree in Mechanical Engineering, hands-on design and testing experience, SolidWorks expertise, and familiarity with manufacturing processes.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering with substantial industry experience.
• Hands-on design, development and testing of electro-mechanical assemblies.
• SolidWorks proficiency for detailed design and manufacturing drawings.
• Experience designing components for machining, sheet metal, injection molding, or 3D printing.
• Strong problem-solving and cross-functional communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive R&D of subsystems: electro-mechanical, pneumatic, thermal, fluidic, consumables.
• Define interfaces and manage critical technical requirements.
• Own top level/sub-system requirements, CAD, BOMs, assembly to verification.
• Lead design reviews as technical authority and align trades-offs.
• Manage design deliverables timelines and project planning.

Skills

SolidWorks

Manufacturing drawings

Machine shop tools

Rapid prototyping

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Experience: 6+ years (PhD 6+)

Tools

CFD

FEA

Python

CAD tools

Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters. The Position A healthier future. It's what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come. Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love. That's what makes us Roche. At Roche, we are working to make next-generation sequencing simple and accessible enough for routine use. By accelerating clinical research, streamlining workflows, and expanding assay menus, we are broadening access to genomic data and lowering barriers to adoption. From robust sample isolation and preparation tools to novel sequencing technology and advanced bioinformatics, we are developing differentiated, highly integrated end-to-end solutions for next-generation sequencing, resulting in a sample-in, result-out workflow. This hands-on role focusing on leading and solving mechanical challenges for our next-generation platforms.

Core Responsibilities

• You will drive the research and development of various sub-systems, encompassing electro-mechanical, pneumatic, thermal, fluidic, and consumable technologies.
• You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and manage critical technical interfaces.
• You will own top level and/or sub-systems requirements, concepts, CAD, ordering, assembling through verification, integration, and troubleshooting, working closely with System Integration engineers.
• You will lead high-level cross-functional design reviews, acting as a technical authority to drive alignment, resolve complex trade-offs, and ensure the integrity of the overall system architecture.
• You will manage design deliverable timelines and contribute to overall project planning.
• You will create and maintain comprehensive design and test documentation including requirements, bill of materials, instrument schematics, tests plans, test reports, analyses, and presentations.
• You will contribute to technical strategy, providing data-driven recommendations on architecture and technology.
• You will present progress, data, and design trade-offs to stakeholders, clearly articulating the impact of engineering decisions.

Who You Are: (Required)

• You have a degree in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline, with relevant industry experience (minimum 10+ years for a Bachelor's, 7+ years for a Master's, or 6+ years for a PhD).
• You have demonstrated hands-on expertise designing, developing, and testing complex electro-mechanical, pneumatic, thermal, or fluidic assemblies, preferably for life science or diagnostic instrumentation.
• You have a demonstrated level of expertise in SolidWorks for detailed design and the creation of manufacturing drawings.
• You have a demonstrated level of expertise designing components for a variety of manufacturing processes (e.g., machining, sheet metal, injection molding, 3D printing).
• You have strong creative problem-solving skills; demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex hardware, software, and chemistry interfaces.
• You have a demonstrated level of proficiency with machine shop tools, measurement equipment, and rapid prototyping (e.g., CNC mills/lathes, laser cutters, 3D printers).
• You have a demonstrated level of proactive experience and are naturally inquisitive, with a strong bias for action and a deep passion for developing next-generation life science instrumentation.
• You have strong interpersonal skills; ability to explain technical concepts to non-experts and thrive in ambiguous environments.
• You have excellent organization skills with the ability to manage multiple projects efficiently.

Preferred

• You are proficient with Python for device control and data acquisition.
• You have expertise with simulation tools (CFD, FEA) to guide design decisions.
• You have experience developing next-generation sequencing (NGS) or genomics instrumentation.

This is an on-site position based in Santa Clara, CA. Relocation benefits are not being offered for this role. The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of Santa Clara, CA is $131,000 - $243,500. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. The role's level (& title) may be adjusted based on experience and qualifications. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

Roche is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.

We believe it's urgent to deliver medical solutions right now - even as we develop innovations for the future. We are passionate about transforming patients' lives. We are courageous in both decision and action. And we believe that good business means a better world. That is why we come to work each day. We commit ourselves to scientific rigor, unassailable ethics, and access to medical innovations for all. We do this today to build a better tomorrow. We are proud of who we are, what we do, and how we do it. We are many, working as one across functions, across companies, and across the world. We are Roche.