Vivodyne · 1 month ago
Principal Mechanical Engineer – Advanced Automation & Systems Integration
San Francisco, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$222K/yr - $308K/yr
6+ years expVivodyne creates human data before clinical trials, accelerating the discovery and development of human therapeutics through innovative technology. The Principal Mechanical Engineer will focus on developing and optimizing hardware and software for automated biological workflows, collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to drive breakthroughs in organ-on-a-chip robotics and manufacturing systems.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)BiotechnologyLifestyle
Responsibilities
Architect, design, and implement advanced automation systems, ranging from automated microfluidic manufacturing to high-precision mammalian cell culture platforms—all of which are mission-critical and highly visible both internally and externally
Develop hardware and software systems that acquire and process data reliably, ensuring smooth handoffs to production through rigorous documentation, data acquisition, and analysis
Embrace the dynamic nature of a rapidly growing startup, working across multiple projects and disciplines
Collaborate cross-functionally with Product leads, tissue engineers, microfluidics specialists, and AI researchers etc. to gather requirements, set technical objectives, and integrate new features into our robotics platforms
Design and implement resilience mechanisms to ensure system robustness, enabling fault detection, fault recovery, and minimal downtime, while maintaining data integrity
Proactively identify optimization opportunities, selecting priorities through engineering analysis and data-driven decision-making
Communicate progress and findings to internal stakeholders—including mechanical engineers, data scientists, and senior leadership—through data-laden presentations and technical reports
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with a focus on microfluidics, tissue engineering, or lab automation
At least six years of directly relevant industry experience
Broad experience in hardware and software design for automation
Proficiency in key hardware and software tools, including SolidWorks (expert-level, CAM experience is a plus)
Hands-on experience with commonly used automation hardware, such as vision/camera systems, motion control, liquid handling, and pick-and-place robotics
Highly knowledgeable in various Manufacturing Technologies
Strong ownership mentality, ensuring the timely delivery of high-reliability features and improvements
A team player, capable of working with engineers, scientists, and external stakeholders
Clear communicator, able to explain complex robotics concepts to cross-functional teams
Passionate about staying at the cutting edge of robotics
Preferred
M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
Biotech/lab automation or semiconductor robotics experience
Knowledge of microfluidics and fluid handling systems
Experience integrating robotics with high-content imaging and confocal microscopy systems
Biology background or familiarity with cell and tissue engineering concepts
Electronics/PCBA design or basic knowledge (reading schematic, troubleshooting interconnects)
Statistical analysis/data collection to inform design performance rigorously
Benefits
High-Impact Mission – Play a pivotal role in transforming drug discovery and human therapeutics through advanced robotics and automation.
Multi-Disciplinary Exposure – Work alongside leading experts in robotics, AI, biology, and microfluidics, expanding your expertise in a truly collaborative setting.
Growth Opportunities – A fast-growing startup environment with significant autonomy, ownership, and influence over best practices in the intersection of biotech and robotics.
Innovative Culture – Join a team that prioritizes continuous learning, rigorous engineering and scientific standards, and bold problem-solving.
Company
Vivodyne
Vivodyne accelerates drug discovery using lab-grown human tissues, robotics, and AI to generate accurate preclinical test data.
11-50 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Vivodyne has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2024 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageTotal Funding
$80MKey Investors
Khosla Ventures
2025-05-29Series A· $40M
2023-11-22Seed· $38M
2021-03-11Seed· $2M
Leadership Team
Andrei Georgescu, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Sheila Ahern
Senior Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer & C-Suite
Recent News
2025-10-16
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