Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Ginkgo Bioworks; California (MO); On-site; USD 98,400 - 138,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company stock awards

Comprehensive benefits package

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Job summary

Ginkgo Bioworks, a leader in biotech located in California, is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to oversee the production of Automation Technology. This role involves leading a team to improve processes, ensuring quality, and maintaining documentation standards.

The successful candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in manufacturing, with strong leadership skills and a focus on quality control, while championing a culture of continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, with 2 years in a lead capacity.
• Experience in establishing quality processes and documentation.
• Strong hands-on experience with electromechanical assembly.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the production lifecycle for automation hardware products.
• Lead and mentor a team of Engineering Technicians.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and procedures.

Skills

Leadership in manufacturing

Quality control systems

Lean manufacturing methodologies

Process documentation

Communication skills

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

3D CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred)

Job description

Our mission is to make biology easier to engineer. Ginkgo is a high‑growth, well‑capitalised public biotech company headquartered in Boston that is redesigning the living world to solve some of the globe’s growing challenges in health, energy, food, materials, and more.

We are looking for an experienced manufacturing leader who is excited by the challenges of scaling production of our Automation Technology. The Automation Team creates integrated robotic workcells, designs processes around walk‑up robotic systems, improves data handling, works with scientists on scaling their processes, and much more.

As Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you will own the end‑to‑end production process for Ginkgo's Reconfigurable Automation Carts (RACs) and other automation hardware products. You will be the on‑the‑floor leader responsible for driving quality, throughput, and continuous improvement across our Emeryville production operations, working closely with the Mechatronics engineering team, technicians, and supply chain partners.

You will lead a team of Engineering Technicians, set standards for assembly and test, and serve as the primary owner of our manufacturing process documentation. You will be expected to identify and eliminate production bottlenecks, champion quality‑control best practices, and ensure our output meets the reliability bar required for customer‑facing deployments.

Responsibilities

• Production Ownership: Oversee and continuously improve the full production lifecycle for RACs and automation hardware products, from sub‑assembly through final integration, test, and shipment preparation.
• Team Leadership: Directly lead and mentor a team of Engineering Technicians; assign work, conduct performance feedback, and support career development for direct reports.
• Process Development & Enforcement: Author, maintain, and enforce Manufacturing Process Instructions (MPIs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and assembly checklists. Ensure the team consistently works to documented standards.
• Quality Systems & Standards: Establish and maintain proactive quality processes including Incoming Quality Control (IQC) for components and sub‑assemblies, in‑process inspection checkpoints, and final acceptance criteria. Own and administer the Material Review Board (MRB) process for non‑conforming materials — ensuring timely dispositioning, supplier feedback, and preventive action. Maintain build records and drive continuous improvement through structured corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Production Planning: Partner with project managers and engineering leads to translate customer commitments and sales forecasts into realistic production schedules. Track build progress against plan and surface risks proactively.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify and drive manufacturing efficiency improvements using Lean, 5S, and other manufacturing engineering methodologies. Reduce cycle time, rework, and material waste.
• Supply Chain & Vendor Coordination: Work with procurement and vendors to ensure timely delivery of components and sub‑assemblies. Participate in supplier qualification and support make‑vs‑buy decisions.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Mechatronics Engineers to ensure designs are optimized for manufacturability (DFM/DFA). Provide manufacturing feedback during design reviews and new product introduction (NPI).
• Tooling & Fixtures: Identify, specify, and manage production tooling, test fixtures, and equipment needed to support efficient and repeatable assembly.
• Safety & Compliance: Maintain a safe and organized production environment; enforce safety protocols and support EHS compliance.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: BS in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing, production engineering, or systems integration role, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory capacity.
• Process Documentation: Demonstrated experience writing and maintaining manufacturing process documentation (SOPs, MPIs, work instructions, assembly procedures).
• Quality Systems: Hands‑on experience establishing and operating structured quality processes including IQC, in‑process inspection, MRB, non‑conformance tracking, CAPA, and build records.
• Team Leadership: Proven ability to lead, supervise, and develop a team of technicians or production personnel in a hands‑on manufacturing environment.
• Technical Breadth: Practical experience with electromechanical assembly, cable harnessing, and integration of mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively across engineering, operations, and management stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment where priorities evolve rapidly.

Preferred Capabilities And Experience

• Experience manufacturing complex robotic or automation systems, multi‑axis motion systems, or lab instrumentation.
• Familiarity with lab automation equipment (liquid handlers from Agilent, Hamilton, Beckman/Labcyte; plate sealers; bulk dispensers; etc.).
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or 5S methodologies in a production environment.
• Formal training or certification in quality systems (ISO 9001, GMP, or similar).
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred) for reviewing designs, creating jig/fixture models, and supporting DFM reviews.
• Experience in a contract manufacturing or integrator environment — combining technologies from multiple vendors into a unified system.
• Familiarity with MES, ERP, or inventory management systems used to manage production builds and parts.
• Experience with NPI processes: translating engineering prototypes into repeatable, scalable production builds.
• Experience supporting customer site installations or field service activities for capital equipment.

The base salary range for this role is $98,400–$138,400. Actual pay within this range will depend on a candidate's skills, expertise, and experience. We also offer company stock awards, a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental & vision coverage, health spending accounts, voluntary benefits, leave of absence policies, 401(k) program with employer contribution, 8 paid holidays in addition to a full‑week winter shutdown and unlimited Paid Time Off policy.

It is the policy of Ginkgo Bioworks to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees, employment applicants, and EOE disability/vet.