Staff Electrical and Machine Safety Engineer

Radiometer; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 145,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Cepheid, a Danaher operating company, seeks a Staff Electrical and Machine Safety Engineer to lead electrical design and safety for automated manufacturing equipment in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

You will drive risk reduction, implement safeguarding systems, and coordinate European conformity activities, with on-site work in Newark, CA and up to 25% travel. This role offers growth through the Danaher system and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experience applying ISO 12100 / ISO 13849-1 or IEC 62061 for risk reduction.
• Design, inspect, and troubleshoot electrical control systems in manufacturing.
• Lead machine safety risk assessments and EU conformity activities.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA, NFPA 79, UL 508A and Machinery Directive.
• Hands-on experience with PLC-based safety circuits and control panels.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical and machine safety activities for new and modified manufacturing equipment.
• Develop, review, and implement machine safeguarding systems with PLCs, relays, and safety devices.
• Define scopes of work and provide direction to teams and suppliers.
• Design, test, commission, and troubleshoot electrical control systems in high-volume manufacturing.
• Standardize electrical and machine safety practices across platforms.

Skills

Machine safety

Electrical design

Risk assessment

PLC controls

EU conformity

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field

Master's degree in electrical engineering or related field

Doctoral degree in electrical engineering or related field

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

Rockwell PLC programming

Agile Product Lifecycle Management

Job description

Bring more to life. Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology? At Cepheid, one of Danaher’s operating companies, our work saves lives, and we are all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact. You will thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. By harnessing the Danaher Business System of continuous improvement, you will help turn ideas into impact and innovate at the speed of life. At Cepheid, we are passionate about improving health care through fast, accurate molecular diagnostic systems and tests. As a member of our team, you will make an immediate, measurable impact on a global scale in an environment that supports career growth and development. Our mission drives us to develop groundbreaking solutions for the world’s most complex health challenges. Together, we bring MORE change to the world. Learn about the Danaher Business System which makes everything possible.

The Staff Electrical and Machine Safety Engineer is responsible for providing technical leadership for electrical design, machine safety, field labeling, and European conformity of new and modified manufacturing equipment. This role helps Cepheid design, qualify, and sustain safe, compliant automated assembly equipment used in high-volume production of diagnostic disposables. This position reports to the Sr. Director, Systems Engineering and is part of the Automation Engineering group located in Newark, California, and will be an on-site role.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Lead electrical and machine safety activities for new and modified manufacturing equipment, including defining design requirements, conducting design reviews and risk-reduction activities, supporting equipment qualification, and determining release readiness.
• Develop, review, and implement machine safeguarding systems using safety controllers or programmable logic controllers (PLCs), safety relays, light curtains, interlocks, area scanners, emergency-stop systems, and other risk-reduction measures, including performing and documenting machine safety risk assessments and developing equipment-specific Lockout/Tagout procedures.
• Define electrical and machine safety scopes of work and provide technical direction to internal teams and equipment suppliers through equipment design, build, commissioning, and installation, including coordination of field labeling and European conformity activities with Field Evaluation Bodies, Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories, and other applicable assessment bodies.
• Design, test, commission, and troubleshoot electrical control systems, control panels, power distribution systems, fieldbus networks, and associated automation equipment in a high-volume manufacturing environment, and support Lockout/Tagout and qualified electrical worker training for manufacturing personnel.
• Develop and implement electrical and machine safety standardization across manufacturing equipment platforms, including equipment upgrades, obsolescence management, supplier and component selection, and continuous improvement activities.

The essential requirements of the job include:

• Experience applying ISO 12100 and ISO 13849-1 or IEC 62061 to define risk-reduction measures, determine required performance levels or safety integrity levels, and verify machine safety functions for automated equipment.
• Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of related experience, master's degree with 3+ years of related experience, or doctoral degree with 0-2 years of related experience in electrical design, machine safety, controls engineering, or industrial automation.
• Working knowledge of applicable machine electrical and safety requirements, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements, National Fire Protection Association 79, UL 508A, and European conformity requirements such as Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC or Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU, and Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU.
• Hands‑on experience designing, commissioning, and troubleshooting programmable logic controller‑based electrical control systems, safety circuits, control panels, and electromechanical equipment in an automated manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading machine safety risk assessments, field labeling or European conformity activities, and cross‑functional technical reviews with engineering, Environmental Health and Safety, Quality, manufacturing, suppliers, or third‑party inspection bodies.

Travel, Motor Vehicle Record & Physical/Environment Requirements

Ability to lift, move, or carry equipment up to 25 pounds, stand for several hours, and work in a cleanroom environment, with or without reasonable accommodation. Expect up to 25% travel to our manufacturing locations, which include Lodi CA, Solna in Sweden, an Bangalore India. It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:

It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:

• AutoCAD Electrical and/or Agile Product Lifecycle Management software.
• Rockwell programmable logic controller programming, control‑system design, or safety‑system development.
• Industrial automation in a U.S. Food and Drug Administration‑regulated manufacturing environment or application of global equipment compliance requirements.

Cepheid, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it is a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check out our benefits at Danaher Benefits Info. The annual salary range for this role is $145K - $185K This is the range that we in good faith believe is the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future. This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical, dental, and vision insurance, and a 401(k) plan to eligible employees. Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole discretion, consistent with the law.

#LI-AV2 Join our winning team today. Together, we’ll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life. For more information, visit www.danaher.com. Danaher Corporation and all Danaher Companies are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law. The U.S. EEO posters are available here. For candidates who are based outside of New York City or who are applying for roles outside of New York City, for more information about conditions of any job offer please click here. We comply with federal and state disability laws and make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact:1-202-419-7762 or [e-mail].

Danaher is a leading global life sciences, biotechnology, and diagnostics innovator, helping to solve many of the world’s most important health challenges, ultimately improving quality of life for billions of people today, while setting the foundation for a healthier, more sustainable tomorrow. The Danaher ecosystem is made up of more than 15 businesses united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact. Please read our Applicant Data Privacy Notice carefully here.