Lead Mechanical Engineer

Synthego is looking for an accomplished mechanical engineer to lead its growing Hardware division. This lead mechanical engineer would both act as a subject matter expert on liquid handling methodologies as well as lead Synthego’s custom technology development such as upgrading existing internal hardware systems and guiding architectural decisions for future hardware projects and platforms. They would manage and mentor an expanding team of mechanical engineers and work closely with development and operations teams in chemistry, software, and manufacturing. This is a career opportunity to develop leadership skills as well as design, build, and improve production instrumentation for gene editing reagent manufacturing.

What You'll Do:

• Perform conceptual, architectural, and detailed mechanical design of novel instruments and instrument subsystems
• Contribute to design reviews for subsystem and component level designs, utilizing your experience to provide guidance to technical staff
• Guide architectural level decisions on hardware projects and platforms, incorporating user requirements, multi-disciplinary knowledge, and strategic thinking
• Devise and implement strategies for continuous improvement of existing legacy equipment
• Manage mechanical system and hardware development activities while communicating timelines, budgets, and technical decision making to leadership teams
• Develop and maintain engineering processes and best practices, working across functional groups (such as Software, Data Science, Chemistry, and Operations) where necessary to improve the quality of the engineering product, and remove roadblocks for your staff
• Mentor a direct report as well as new hardware hires, while prioritizing the team's professional development

About You:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 5 to 7 years of hands-on experience in life-sciences instrumentation and/or medical device development. At least 2 years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Proven track record of delivery of instruments, automation systems and capital equipment in life-sciences, semiconductor, or related fields
• Confident in mechanical design process and excels in SolidWorks, or similar CAD softwares
• Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturability and Maintainability while ensuring safety is a priority
• Strong understanding of fluid dynamics and the related components and manufacturers 
• A track record of taking a product from conception to launch and beyond
• Experience with the design and selection of fluidics, mechanisms, motion, robotics and thermal systems common to life-sciences instrumentation
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional projects, particularly within a regulated environment
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills including presentation of technical content to both peers and leadership through presentations and design reviews
• Willingness to provide mentorship and hands-on assistance in the lab
• Willingness to work in a startup environment and adapt to changing needs and priorities
• A driven outlook and with a strong desire to succeed

Nice to Have:

• MS in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Experience with high-pressure equipment, chemical reactors, oligonucleotide synthesis, microfluidics and/or analytical instrumentation
• Experience with automation equipment and PLC driven systems
• Basic programming and data skills, such as Python
• Experience in a start-up environment
• Experience contributing to the successful launch of a life-sciences instrument or automation system

Company Perks & Benefits:

• Equity options 
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401k Program
• Catered meals on Tuesday and Thursday
• Paid parental leave
• Flexible paid time off

About Us Synthego is a genome engineering company that enables the acceleration of life science research and development in the pursuit of improved human health.
The company leverages machine learning, automation, and gene editing to build platforms for science at scale. With its foundations in engineering disciplines, the company’s platforms vertically integrate proprietary hardware, software, bioinformatics, chemistries, and molecular biology to advance basic research, target validation, and clinical trials.
By providing both commercial and academic researchers and therapeutic developers with unprecedented access to cutting-edge genome engineering, Synthego is at the forefront of innovation, accelerating the development of truly engineered biology.