Job Description
General Summary:
The Engineering & Applied Physics team at Vertex, San Diego, is looking to add a top-notch Instrumentation Engineer to our small, elite team of engineers and physicists. From advanced robotics and automation to microfluidics and cutting-edge microscopy, this unique in-house team develops a wide array of performance focused technological solutions for the toughest challenges in drug discovery. Where commercial options don’t exist, the team collaborates directly with Vertex scientists to create innovative solutions that enable ground-breaking science and discovery of life-saving medicines. The Instrumentation Engineer plays a key role not only in developing control software, firmware and hardware to run our instruments, but also ensures effective integration with our science to maximize the impact we have on drug discovery.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Deliver creative, innovative, effective solutions to challenging engineering problems
- Develop custom control firmware/software for data acquisition, motion control, signal processing, automated workflow, and user interface/experience
- Develop, deploy, and support custom instrumentation; from initial proof of concept to small scale production; in Vertex labs from San Diego to Boston and the UK
- Train Vertex scientists in the operation and care of that instrumentation
- Gather requirements from scientists and create specifications for embedded applications
- Administer hardware system bring up activities
Knowledge and Skills:
- A passion for science and engineering, and a desire to tangibly apply that passion in the pursuit of transforming the lives of patients with serious diseases
- Must have solid experience with embedded system firmware development
- Strong programming experience in either Python, C or C++ in context of instrument control, automation or robotics
- Strong proficiency with C programming on MCU’s is required, preferably STM32
- Hands-on experience with bringing up new embedded prototypes
- Have experience with debugging tools and methodologies
- Experience programming within a software team environment
- Experience with I2C, SPI, UART and CAN bus communication protocols
- Some experience with Xilinx FPGA’s or VHDL/ Verilog
- Electronic hardware knowledge of embedded processors
- Some experience with Edge computing and IOT devices
- Proficiency in control software development, including system design, UI/UX, configuration, setup, complex troubleshooting, and service
- Ability to learn LabVIEW
- Willingness to explore latest industry FPGA hardware and OpenCL to bring in-house
- Aptitude for hands-on work with complex electro-mechanical systems, instrument support
- Exceptional multitasking and communication skills, with a keen attention to detail
- Able to transition seamlessly and productively between independent work and collaboration in diverse, cross-discipline, cross-functional teams
- A compulsive problem solver; able to deliver innovative, effective solutions to challenging problems, in a high-paced, highly productive, and collaborative work environment
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering or other relevant Engineering disciplines
- 8+ years' experience in developing software/firmware for either instrumentation, automation, medical, industrial, military and/or robotics
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Pay Range:
$116,000 - $174,000
Disclosure Statement:
The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.
Flex Designation:
On-Site Designated
Flex Eligibility Status:
In this On-Site designated role, you will work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.
Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.
Company Information
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.
Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at [email protected]
Top Skills
What We Do
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases.
We discovered and developed the first medicines to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), a rare, life-threatening genetic disease. In addition to clinical development programs in CF, Vertex has more than a dozen ongoing research programs focused on the underlying mechanisms of other serious diseases.
Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, our corporate headquarters is now located in Boston’s Innovation District, and our international headquarters is in London, United Kingdom. We currently employ approximately 3,500 people in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and Latin America with nearly two-thirds of our staff dedicated to research and development.
Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry’s top places to work by Science Magazine, The Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal and the San Diego Business Journal. Our research and medicines have also received esteemed recognitions, including the Robert J. Beall Therapeutics Development Award, the French Prix Galien and the British Pharmacological Society awards.
