Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Position Overview

At Roche you can show up as yourself – valued for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections to help you thrive both personally and professionally. Roche Sequencing Solutions is expanding with a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer responsible for leading the mechanical design, development, characterization, and integration of cutting-edge sequencing systems and advanced automation equipment. This role is pivotal in driving innovations for a highly automated DNA sequencing pipeline and diagnostic applications in a fast-paced, collaborative environment based in Santa Clara, CA.

Key Responsibilities

• Design custom fluidic components, assemblies, and subsystems.
• Oversee prototyping and testing of mechanical and electromechanical designs.
• Define and refine design requirements and specifications.
• Select and evaluate off-the-shelf components.
• Support subsystem and system level assembly, testing, troubleshooting, data analysis, report writing, and presenting results.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists to ensure seamless integration and provide guidance to team members, consultants, contractors, and vendors.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field) with ≥7 years of relevant industry experience, or a Master’s degree with ≥4 years of experience.
• Minimum of seven years of experience designing, building, or supporting life science equipment and/or fluidic automation systems.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing complex, high-performance fluidic systems utilizing custom manifolds with pumps, valves, sensors, temperature control elements, and components for handling reagents.
• Significant contributions to the design and development of at least two automated fluidic systems from feasibility through manufacturing, with experience in regulated environments.
• Strong foundation in physics and engineering fundamentals and success working in multidisciplinary teams.
• Expertise in SolidWorks for mechanical design, including experience with SolidWorks PDM or similar document management tools.
• Proficiency with machine shop tools, test and measurement equipment, rapid prototyping technologies (e.g., 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC mills/lathes), and programming tools like Python or LabVIEW for device control and data acquisition.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly.
• Experience designing automation systems using both electric and pneumatic actuators.
• Proficiency with FEA simulations in SolidWorks Simulation, and a solid understanding of GD&T.
• Familiarity with chemistry, biological assays, and sequencing technology.

Benefits & Perks

• Compensation: $110,500 - $205,500, with a discretionary annual bonus based on individual and company performance.
• On-site position based in Santa Clara, CA (please note that relocation benefits are not offered).
• Eligibility for a comprehensive benefits package (see provided details for more information).