Senior Flow Cytometry Systems Architect - Global

Cytek Biosciences Inc; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Cytek Biosciences is seeking an experienced Principal System Architect - Instrument to define and guide the architecture of next-generation flow cytometry platforms in Bellevue, WA.

You will own end-to-end system architecture across fluidics, optics, electronics, and software, drive reliability through FMEA and root-cause analyses, and collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, and suppliers, including teams in China, to deliver robust, scalable instruments and meet regulatory requirements (ISO

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, Physics, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience developing complex analytical, diagnostic, or life science instrumentation.
• Demonstrated experience in system architecture and cross-functional technical leadership.
• Strong understanding of fluidics systems, including flow control, microfluidics, particle transport, and contamination mitigation.
• Experience with reliability engineering methods such as FMEA, fault tree analysis, root cause analysis, and reliability growth.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and a bias toward root cause resolution and preventive action.
• Direct experience with Class I, II, or III medical devices, including 510(k) cleared products
• Experience operating in or helping build a cGMP-compliant environment
• Ability to translate customer and product needs into clear engineering requirements and trade-offs.
• Strong communicator who can teach, coach, and influence without formal authority
• Hands-on problem solver who enjoys working on the production floor as well as in documentation systems
• Ability to travel internationally (up to 20%) to support global manufacturing and cross-site collaboration

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end system architecture for flow cytometry instruments, ensuring strong integration of fluidics, optics, electronics, software, and serviceability requirements.
• Define system requirements, interface specifications, and performance budgets to balance performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and scalability.
• Lead architecture decisions for fluidics subsystems, including sample handling, sheath flow, flow cell design, clog resistance, and contamination control.
• Drive reliability engineering activities, including failure mode analysis, reliability risk assessment, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and long-term robustness improvements.
• Establish and track system-level reliability goals such as uptime, MTBF, failure rates, maintenance intervals, and field performance metrics.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, quality, manufacturing, service, and NPI teams to ensure design choices support product reliability and lifecycle performance.
• Work directly with internal teams and suppliers in China to align on technical requirements, resolve issues, support qualification, and drive on-time execution.
• Participate in supplier development, design reviews, risk mitigation, and technical issue resolution with global and China-based partners.
• Guide subsystem teams through integration, verification, and validation activities, ensuring robust performance under real-world use conditions.
• Support design for manufacturability, serviceability, and supply chain resilience.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship across engineering teams.

Skills

System architecture

Reliability engineering

Cross-functional leadership

Troubleshooting

Communication

International travel

Education

PhD or MS in Mechanical Engineering / related

8+ years instrumentation experience

Tools

CFD

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Cytek Biosciences is seeking an experienced Principal System Architect - Instrument to define and guide the architecture of next-generation flow cytometry platforms in Bellevue, WA.

You will own end-to-end system architecture across fluidics, optics, electronics, and software, drive reliability through FMEA and root-cause analyses, and collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, and suppliers, including teams in China, to deliver robust, scalable instruments and meet regulatory requirements (ISO