Mechanical Engineer

At Element Biosciences, we are passionate about our mission to empower the scientific community with more freedom and flexibility to accelerate our collective impact on humanity. We have built a highly efficient product-driven organization where employees can learn, grow, and thrive in a challenging but encouraging environment. We are committed to scientific integrity, collegiality, honesty, objectivity, and openness.

We’re looking for a talented Mechanical Engineer to drive module design, simulation, optimization, and integration for complex scientific instruments. This is a key role within our Instrument Mechanical Engineering group requiring a technical engineer with a drive to work in a fast paced and innovative environment. Strong engineering fundamentals in electromechanical design, fluidic systems, breadboarding, critical thinking skills, and rapid prototyping are essential attributes. This role will report to the Director of Mechanical Engineering and will be an onsite role based in San Diego.

If you possess the following and want to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to explore this role.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Strong engineering and physical science fundamentals and analytical skills
• Strong interest in product development
• Proficient "hands on" experience within a laboratory setting building mechanical and fluidic test beds
• Knowledge of common fabrication methods and processes
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment
• Design functional modules that integrate sensors, actuators, fluidic components, thermal management, and electronics in cost- and space-efficient solutions
• Translate product and sub-system requirements into module designs and component selection
• Negotiate module and system performance trade-offs and interfaces across fluidic, thermal, structural, and electromechanical domains
• Develop test protocols, data analysis methods, simulations, and optimization approaches to achieve module and system performance targets
• Participate in cross-functional root cause analysis by applying structured problem-solving methodologies, executing relevant experiments to improve understanding, and making data-driven decisions
• Drive improvement efforts to optimize instrument performance, lifetime, reliability, and robustness against external forces 

Education and Experience:

• Minimum BS degree in Mechanical Engineering and 1-3 years relevant work experience (or equivalent combination of education and industry experience)
• Strong theoretical and applied understanding of mechanical and fluidic design fundamentals including material selection, macro/micro fluidic system design, thermal analysis, and tolerance stack-ups
• Expertise with SolidWorks and competency with SolidWorks Simulation (or equivalents like Ansys and SIMULIA)
• Scientifically curious, a critical thinker, who seeks to understand the scientific root cause of different aspects of system and module performance and to steer that understanding towards design improvements
• Ability to navigate uncertainty while developing a deeper understanding of system performance to enable development of better products
• Proactive self-starter who drives action, investigations, and delivers results without task-level structured guidance
• Ability to work in a fast paced, interdisciplinary environment and quickly adjust to rapidly evolving technology and priorities 

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 25 pounds

Location:

• San Diego, CA (onsite)

Travel:

• Up to 10% or as needed

Base Compensation

• $79,000 - $96,000

In addition to base compensation, you will be eligible for stock options, discretionary annual bonus, no cost health insurance plans, 401k with company match, and flexible paid time off. 

Please Note: Base compensation will depend on multiple factors, including geographic location, qualifications, and experience. 

We foster an environment such that all people are afforded the freedom to pursue their passions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.