Planet Pharma · 7 hours ago
Principal Mechanical Engineer
Santa Clara, CA
Contract
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$65/hr - $92/hr
5+ years expPlanet Pharma is focused on solving core mechanical challenges for next-generation platforms, and they are seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to drive innovation in instrumentation. The role involves leading mechanical design and development, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring the performance and reliability of systems through advanced engineering solutions.
BiotechnologyHealth CarePharmaceutical
Hiring Manager
Kendall Zinner
Responsibilities
You will lead the end-to-end mechanical design and development of mechanical sub-systems including electro-mechanical, pneumatic, fluidic, and thermal components
You will collaborate with engineers from other disciplines (electrical, consumables, materials) to define and manage all critical technical interfaces for your module
You will develop novel mechanisms for automated reagent and flow cell loading, clamping, and sealing, ensuring reliability over repeated use
You will architect and design thermal control systems, including the specification and integration of heating/cooling elements, sensors, condensation control, and heat management
You will partner with internal and external simulation experts to guide and validate CFD, thermal, and optical models, using empirical data to refine designs
You will serve as the primary technical expert for your sub-system during integration, verification, and troubleshooting activities, working directly with the Systems Integration team
You will lead cross-functional design reviews, driving alignment and resolving technical trade-offs between mechanical design, consumables, materials, and assay requirements
You will drive the technical execution for sub-systems, manage timelines for your design deliverables, and contribute to the overall project plan
You will create and maintain all design documentation for your sub-systems, including detailed CAD models, drawings, and specifications
You will contribute to the technical strategy for the future integrated system, providing data-driven recommendations on architecture and technology choices based on your sub-system's performance
You will present technical progress, data, and design trade-offs to the broader project team and key stakeholders, clearly articulating the rationale and impact of engineering decisions
Qualification
Required
You have a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related discipline with at least 5 years of relevant industry experience; or a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related discipline with at least 10 years of relevant industry experience; or a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related discipline with at least 10 years+ of relevant industry experience
You have demonstrated deep, hands-on expertise in the design, development, and testing of complex mechanical, electro-mechanical, and pneumatic systems, preferably for life science or diagnostic instrumentation
You have demonstrated hands-on expertise in thermal management and the design of precision temperature control systems
You have experience developing fluidics systems and their interfaces including pumps, valves, tubing, sensors, and material selection
You possess strong proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks) for detailed design and the creation of manufacturing drawings
You have expertise designing components for a variety of manufacturing processes (e.g., machining, injection molding, 3D printing)
You are a creative and resourceful problem-solver, with the ability to troubleshoot complex issues at the interface of hardware, software, and chemistry
You are proficient with common machine shop tools, as well as test and measurement equipment; proficient with rapid prototyping technology such as 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC mills/lathes, etc
You have a demonstrated level of proficiency with Python, LabVIEW, or similar tools for device control and data acquisition
Preferred
You have demonstrated the ability to lead technical projects and mentor junior engineers, providing clear guidance and delegating tasks to achieve project goals
You have experience using simulation tools (CFD, FEA) to guide design decisions
You have previously worked on the development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) or other genomics instrumentation
You have experience working in a regulated product development environment
You have demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate technical knowledge in a clear and understandable manner, especially to non-experts; you excel at problem-solving skills and the ability to work under ambiguous situations
You have excellent organizational skills, including the ability to efficiently evaluate, prioritize and handle multiple changing projects and priorities; you complete work in a timely, accurate and thorough manner
Company
Planet Pharma
Planet Pharma is a pharmaceuticals company.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Planet Pharma 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
2022 (3)
2021 (5)
2020 (5)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Cynthia Lewis
Senior Executive Recruiter, Life Sciences - PPG Advisory Partners
Emma Morris
President, PPG Advisory Partners
Company data provided by crunchbase