Senior Microfluidics Engineer: High-Impact Automation

Vivodyne; Brisbane (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High-Impact Mission

Multi-Disciplinary Exposure

Growth Opportunities

Innovative Culture

Job summary

Vivodyne is seeking a Senior Engineer for Microfluidics & Applications to fabricate and assemble PDMS and thermoplastic devices, run biological workflows, and validate manufacturing decisions with data.

You will work with hardware, software, and biologists to execute end-to-end processes, drive improvements, and document SOPs and QC metrics, contributing to the platform roadmap and high-throughput capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field; MS is a plus.
• 3–5 years of relevant industry experience in precision manufacturing of microfluidic, semiconductor, or cartridge-based products, or in biological lab automation.
• Hands-on experience fabricating microfluidic devices (PDMS, thermoplastics, or glass), including soft lithography and device assembly/bonding.
• Experience working in a cleanroom or cleanroom-like laboratory or manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and standard biological lab equipment.
• Familiarity with liquid handlers, perfusion systems, or other precision automation.
• Working proficiency in Python or a similar language for scripting, data acquisition, and analysis.
• Experience tracking in-process measurements and QC metrics for quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and quantitative skills; ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including SOPs, process documents, and quality reports.

Responsibilities

• Execute precise manufacturing processes to produce high-quality microfluidic devices, adhering to established protocols and quality standards.
• Contribute to the design, validation, and documentation of new and revised fabrication processes, including soft lithography, molding, bonding, and assembly of PDMS, thermoplastic, or glass-based devices.
• Operate and maintain high-precision fabrication and metrology equipment in a cleanroom or cleanroom-like environment.
• Perform in-process measurements and analyze them to classify and reduce manufacturing error; help implement automated measurement and test fixtures.
• Execute quality control procedures and acceptance testing; participate in developing new QC methods and troubleshooting workflows.
• Track and document QC metrics, irregularities, and deviations; investigate root causes and drive fixes to closure.
• Manage inventory of device components, consumables, and finished goods throughout the manufacturing process.
• Identify opportunities to make fabrication faster, simpler, and more precise, and carry approved improvements through implementation.
• Execute biological workflows on the devices you manufacture, including mammalian cell culture, microfluidic cell seeding and manipulation, perfusion, and assays.
• Help translate biologists' SOPs into automation-compatible protocols; run validation experiments to confirm that manufacturing changes do not compromise biological performance.
• Use automation hardware and scripting (Python preferred) to control fluid flow, run perfusion systems, and integrate device handling on the robotic platform.
• Support bring-up and internal release of new high-throughput capabilities alongside senior engineers and biologists.
• Collect, analyze, and clearly report data on manufacturing and biological performance; form and test hypotheses about sources of variability.
• Author and maintain SOPs, process documents, and quality reports; keep documentation current as processes change.
• Communicate status, risks, and results clearly to your team and stakeholders in meetings, Slack, and written formats.
• Share what you learn; help onboard and train technicians and newer engineers on fabrication, cleanroom practice, and device handling.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Python scripting

Data analysis

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field

MS is a plus

Tools

Liquid handlers

Perfusion systems

Cleanroom equipment

Job description

Vivodyne is seeking a Senior Engineer for Microfluidics & Applications to fabricate and assemble PDMS and thermoplastic devices, run biological workflows, and validate manufacturing decisions with data.

You will work with hardware, software, and biologists to execute end-to-end processes, drive improvements, and document SOPs and QC metrics, contributing to the platform roadmap and high-throughput capabilities.