Staff Mechanical Engineer, Consumables

10x Genomics; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 179,000 - 243,000; Full time

Job summary

10x Genomics is seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer, Consumables to lead the architecture and design of high-volume biotech consumables. You will drive integration with instrument hardware, apply advanced simulation for reliability, and ensure compliance with quality standards.

You will mentor junior engineers and partner with biologists, chemists, and software teams to translate science into manufacturable hardware, spanning concept through high-volume production.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering.
• 10+ years mechanical design experience.
• 5+ years in medical devices or biotech consumables.
• In-depth plastics and high-volume injection molding knowledge.
• Experience with ISO 14971 / FDA 21 CFR 820 quality frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and design of complex biotech consumables.
• Oversee integration of consumables with instrument hardware.
• Apply FEA, CFD and tolerance analysis for robust parts.
• Drive DFx (DFM/DFA) with CMOs and tooling partners.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate across biology and software teams.

Skills

Strategic design

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Failure analysis

Mentorship

Education

BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks/Creo

PDM systems

Simulation software

Job description

What if your next design project wasn't just on new technology like a phone or domestic appliance but actually helped make cancer a thing of the past? At 10x Genomics, our mission is to accelerate the mastery of biology to advance human health. But that progress doesn't happen in a vacuum—it is driven by new technologies and the people with the courage to build them. We are moving with incredible urgency. We recently celebrated a massive milestone with the official unveiling of our newest innovation: Atera. This system is a prime example of how we use first principles to make the impossible possible, bringing high-impact single cell analysis to more researchers than ever before. To keep this momentum going, we are looking for a Staff Mechanical Engineer, Consumables who isn't afraid of "difficult." This isn't just about CAD tools and validation testing; it’s about interdisciplinary collaboration and solving the intricate challenges that stand between us and the next medical breakthrough. We believe that "WE" is more important than "ME." You’ll work alongside world‑class scientists and manufacturing experts to ensure our consumables integrate perfectly with the biological workflows that are changing the world. Whether you are optimizing high-volume injection molding or leading a design from concept to commercialization, your work will be the foundation for the next generation of cures. If you are a doer who loves a challenge and wants to build a lasting legacy, you’ll find your home here. We don't just follow the path set by others—we forge our own.

What You Will Be Doing

• Strategic Design & Technical Leadership
• High-Precision Consumables: Lead the architecture and design of complex biotech consumables, focusing on Injection Molded (IM) plastics, over-molding, LSR and assembly techniques (ultrasonic welding, laser bonding).
• Fluidic Integration: Drive the development of fluidic and microfluidic systems by consulting with fluidic SMEs, ensuring seamless integration between consumable cartridges and permanent instrument hardware.
• Advanced Simulation: Utilize FEA, tolerance analysis, and CFD to predict part behavior and ensure robust performance under laboratory operating conditions.
• Regulatory Excellence: Design for compliance with ISO 13485, FDA 21 CFR Part 820 as well as RUO. Contribute to the creation of Design History Files (DHF).
• End-to-End Project Ownership
• Concept to production: Take full ownership of critical subsystems from "napkin sketch" through high-volume manufacturing (HVM).
• DFX Leadership: Champion Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), working closely with toolmakers and CMOs to ensure tool designs and strategies are optimized.
• Vendor Management: Act as the primary technical point of contact for external molding partners and material suppliers, ensuring quality and performance standards are met.
• Innovation & Problem Solving
• IP Generation: Identify and pursue patentable innovations in fluid handling, sealing technologies, and consumable-to-instrument interfaces.
• Root Cause Analysis: Lead complex failure analysis (FEA, SEM, etc.) for plastic components, identifying issues like creep, stress cracking, or biocompatibility failures and implementing permanent corrective actions.
• Leadership & Mentorship
• Technical Mentorship: Directly mentor junior Engineers, fostering a culture of rigorous engineering discipline and creative problem-solving.
• Cross-Functional Bridge: Serve as the "mechanical voice" in rooms full of Biologists, Chemists, and Software Engineers to ensure the hardware meets the underlying science.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience: 10+ years of experience in mechanical design, with at least 5 years specifically in medical devices or biotech consumables.
• Plastics Expertise: Deep knowledge of thermoplastic resins (COC, COP, PC, PP), elastomers (TPE/TPU), and the nuances of high-volume injection molding.
• Tooling/Equipment: Experience with CAD (SolidWorks/Creo), PDM systems, and simulation suites.
• Quality Systems: Familiarity with Risk Management (ISO 14971), FMEA, and Gage R&R.

Pay Range

$179,300—$242,500 USD

About 10x Genomics

At 10x Genomics, accelerating our understanding of biology is more than a mission for us. It is a commitment. This is the century of biology, and the breakthroughs we make now have the potential to change the world. We enable scientists to advance their research, allowing them to address scientific questions they did not even know they could ask. Our tools have enabled fundamental discoveries across biology including cancer, immunology, and neuroscience. Our teams are empowered and encouraged to follow their passions, pursue new ideas, and perform at their best in an inclusive and dynamic environment. We know that behind every scientific breakthrough, there is a deep infrastructure of talented people driving the life sciences industry and making it possible for scientists and clinicians to make new strides. We are dedicated to finding the very best person for every aspect of our work because the innovations and discoveries that we enable together will lead to better technologies, better treatments, and a better future. Find out how you can make a 10x difference.

Individuals seeking employment at 10x Genomics are considered without regards to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.