Retro Biosciences · 1 month ago
Senior Lab Instrument Engineer
Redwood City, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$100K/yr - $130K/yr
5+ years expRetro Biosciences develops therapies for diseases driven by the biology of aging, focusing on cellular reprogramming and autophagy. The Senior Lab Instrument Engineer will support the laboratory instrumentation core, ensuring the proper functioning and maintenance of lab equipment while training personnel and maintaining detailed records.
BiopharmaBiotechnologyHealth CareTherapeutics
Responsibilities
Install + qualify new laboratory instruments and auxiliary equipment, from biosafety cabinets and incubators to mass spectrometers and flow cytometers
Diagnose, repair + maintain a broad range of lab instruments (cell analyzers, cell sorters, microscopes, HPLC/UPLC systems, refrigeration units, etc.)
Produce and maintain detailed records, including maintenance logs, calibration reports, quality checks, and SOPs
Train lab personnel on proper instrument use and best practices; update workflows and SOPs as systems evolve
Support equipment lifecycle - from procurement and installation through decommissioning and disposition
Identify when external experts are needed and coordinate with approved vendors, keeping in mind our preference for vertical integration whenever possible
Serve as a key on-call responder for facility emergencies and urgent issues (such as power failures, significant leaks, cold storage alarms, etc.) - a rotating team responsibility which includes some nights, weekends, and holidays
Qualification
Required
Have a degree in biomedical or mechanical engineering, electronics, or other equivalent
Have 5+ years of experience hands-on with auxiliary lab equipment (biosafety cabinets, incubators, smaller analytical devices)
Are a true generalist - you love complex machines, can troubleshoot on the fly, and won't hesitate to open up a device rather than call the manufacturer
Have a broad mechanical/electrical aptitude - the ability to read schematics and manuals will help you succeed
Embrace technology and organization - you're familiar with digital tools such as Google Workspace, Asana, and Notion to track tasks and document work, as well as confident in picking up new softwares or systems to monitor the facilities
Can lift and move equipment - you're physically capable of safely lifting equipment or materials, often 50 lbs or more, with proper tools and assistance (this is an active role)
Take pride in your work - you don't wait around for a work order when you notice a problem, you feel ownership of the labs' well-being
Are willing to work occasional irregular hours to support critical maintenance or emergency repairs
Preferred
Mass Spectrometry, Flow Cytometry, Cell Sorting, Microscopy, Bioreactors, and/or Automation equipment
GMP qualification of devices (IQ/OQ/PQ)
Cold storage systems (fridges, freezers, cryogenic gases)
Background in startup environments - comfortable with rapid change and scrappy problem-solving
Basic programming or scripting skills for instrument control or data analysis
CAD experience for designing custom instrument fixtures or lab layouts
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family.
401(k) plan with 4% matching.
Flexible time off and 10 company holidays a year.
Paid parental leave.
Annual learning & development stipend.
Daily Retro-sponsored lunch and snacks.
Company
Retro Biosciences
Retro Biosciences focuses on cellular reprogramming, autophagy, and plasma-inspired therapeutics.
51-200 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Retro Biosciences 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
2025 (2)
2024 (1)
2023 (3)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$180MKey Investors
Sam Altman
2022-04-06Angel· $180M
Leadership Team
Joe Betts-Lacroix
"CEO" i.e. ultimately responsible for the achieving our mission
Recent News
2026-01-11
Longevity.Technology - Latest News, Opinions, Analysis and Research
2025-12-31
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