Senior Engineer - Process Development

Illumina; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 98,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Equity potential

Benefits package

Job summary

Illumina is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to join the Process & Automation Engineering team within the MT&T group. You will develop scalable manufacturing processes for sequencing consumables and support early product transfer to high-volume production, partnering with Product Development, Quality, and CMOs.

The role requires expertise in semiconductor/CMOS/MEMS processes and strong problem-solving and documentation skills.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Bioengineering, or similar with 1–3+ years in production support/development.
• B.S./M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Bioengineering, or similar with 5+ years in production support/development.
• Experience with semiconductor/CMOS/MEMS processes and high-volume manufacturing transfer is required/advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support consumable product development and manufacturing process development.
• Represent operations needs on development teams for transfer to manufacturing.
• Collaborate with Product Development, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, and CMOs.
• Apply CPM principles via DOEs to optimize processes and troubleshoot issues.
• Define technical requirements and transfer processes to volume production.
• Utilize 6-sigma, DFSS, 8D for problem solving.
• Lead supplier change notifications, investigations, and risk management.
• Manage vendors and monitor performance; travel up to 10% for transfers.

Skills

Problem solving

Interdepartmental comms

Documentation

Vendor management

Project leadership

Education

Ph.D. in related field

B.S./M.S. in related field

Tools

DOE

Job description

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity? At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients. Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Summary: We are looking for a driven, talented Senior Process Engineer to join the Process & Automation Engineering team in the Manufacturing Technology and Transfer (MTT) group. The MTT group works as an integral part of our Consumables Development and Manufacturing teams and is tasked with developing and deploying scalable manufacturing processes of sequencing consumables in regulated production environments. In this role, the individual will use engineering principles, best practices, and concepts to assist in substrate process development, design, scale-up, improvement, and validation. The individual will also provide technical leadership to new product introduction, and production process development. Additionally, the individual will partner cross-functionally with Product Development, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and vendors to develop and sustain processes for new sequencing consumables.

Responsibilities

• Support consumable product development, manufacturing process development, process and product improvements, and other activities for manufacturing sequencing consumables.
• Represent operations needs on development teams for effective transfer of products and processes into manufacturing.
• Work cross functionally with Product Development, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality teams and Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) to enable operations for launch and high-volume manufacturing.
• Apply Critical Parameter Management (CPM) principles through design of experiments (DOEs) to optimize processes, troubleshoot yield/quality issues and implement solutions in a production environment.
• Define technical requirements, author process documents, and facilitate the transfer of manufacturing and QC processes from development to volume production in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Utilize expertise in 6-sigma, DFSS, 8D, etc. to troubleshoot product and process issues.
• Lead supplier change notifications (SCNs), complaint investigations, product and process non-conformances, risk management, and supplier surveillance activities.
• Manage vendors at a technical level for component delivery and monitor performance.
• Domestic and international travel (up to 10% annually) to CMOs and supplier sites to oversee technology transfer, conduct process audits, and build supplier partnerships.

Requirements

• Industrial or academic experience with semiconductor/CMOS/MEMS processes such as wet/dry etch, photolithography, and deposition is required.
• Experience with high volume manufacturing transfer in semiconductor industry is an advantage.
• Industrial experience with microelectronic assembly processes such as wire bonding, die attach, pick and place etc. is an advantage.
• Experience with CMO management and supplier qualifications is preferred.
• High-level problem solving and reasoning skills are required.
• Interdepartmental communication skills and documentation skills are required.

Education

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Bioengineering, or similar discipline with 1-3+ years of relevant experience in production support/sustaining and/or process definition and development, design, scale-up, improvement, and validation.
• B.S./M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Bioengineering, or similar discipline with 5+ years of relevant experience in production support/sustaining and/or process definition and development, design, scale-up, improvement, and validation.

Listed responsibilities are an essential, but not exhaustive list, of the usual duties associated with the position. Changes to individual responsibilities may occur due to business needs.

The estimated base salary range for the Senior Engineer - Process Development role based in the United States of America is: $98,400 - $147,600. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. The range reflects long-term growth in the role; therefore, most candidates are hired between the minimum and middle of the range. Placement depends on experience, skills, location, and internal equity.

Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package.

We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission.

Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics.

We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race.

We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information.

Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process.

If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

The potential of genomics to change the world is unparalleled. At Illumina, we are leading the way. Our technology empowers researchers and clinicians globally to improve cancer treatments, change the course of diseases, protect the environment, and fight food insecurity. We are made up of dedicated professionals, all-in on creating a better world - and we need every skill set on our path to making genomics useful for all. Learn more about life at Illumina.