Senior Systems Engineer - Systems Architecture

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Summary:

The Senior Systems Engineer – Systems Architecture will be responsible for providing leadership to cross-functional teams to develop industry-leading DNA sequencing instruments for clinical applications in an exciting, fast-paced environment.  The foundation of all activities for this role is a broad, solid grasp of multiple areas of engineering, physics and molecular biology, and the ability to climb new learning curves quickly.  Primary responsibilities include development of system models/budgets, contributing to system & sub-system architecture decisions, managing specifications and requirements, and developing test strategies for critical parameter understanding and verification. A successful candidate will possess strong organizational and communication skills to facilitate successful product development across consumables, hardware, firmware, software, and chemistry teams.

No two members of the Systems Architecture Group have taken the same path to the team and we highly encourage otherwise qualified candidates without traditional bio-technology backgrounds to apply.

Job Activities:

• Develop system models that guide design decisions.  These can include system tolerance budgets, SNR models, performance models, COGS models, etc. Provide mentorship to sub-system engineers in the development of models that guide lower level design decisions.
• Support architecture definition by working across sub-system design teams to align overlapping design requirements /constraints and drive teams in developing concepts, evaluating risks, and efficiently concluding on a design path.
• Lead teams through complex root-cause analysis in which there are many possible root causes that involve various areas of physics.  Mentor others on systematic best practices for problem solving (8D method, fish-bone diagrams, etc.).
• Build the information foundation for successful architecture activity.  Create and maintain system requirements, specifications, and functional workflows.  Examples include biochemistry workflows, hardware timing diagrams, and assembly process workflows.
• Develop, manage, execute test strategies for Critical Parameter Management which identify the sensitivities and acceptable operating ranges for input parameters relative to output metrics. Leverage Design of Experiments for efficient coverage of complex parameter space.
• Own the seams between teams, especially including the definition and documentation of interfaces between consumables, hardware, firmware and software.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Engineering, Physics, Biophysics or related master’s degree with 5+ years of experience or Ph.D. with 0 -3 years of experience in consumables, instrumentation, or product development.
• Strong analytical background, with record of using system models to drive decisions.  
• Demonstrated track record of rapidly climbing steep learning curves.  Enthusiasm for tackling tough problems on an aggressive schedule.
• Experience with definition, setup, characterization, and testing of complex systems, including design of experiments, reliability life tests, and root cause analysis.
• Experience and fluency in scientific computing and simulation, such as Python, MATLAB, or R
• Strong communication and presentation skills (ability to distill complex technical information into product decisions and business recommendations).

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Technically proficient in disciplines including optics, microfluidics, heat transfer, precision motion, and electronics.
• Fluency in the methods and vocabulary of nucleic acid analytical techniques, genetic sequencing and molecular biology.
• Experience with Signal-to-noise Ratio (SNR) modeling
• Experience with data analysis and statistical methods.
• Experience in consumables design and development
• Experience with specification and requirement management, design traceability, design verification and validation.
• Experience developing products in a regulated environment (FDA 510k approval process)
• Understanding of the physics of failure approach to reliability, failure mechanisms, failure analysis techniques, and basic probability concepts.

#LI-ONSITE

The estimated base salary range for the Senior Systems Engineer - Systems Architecture role based in the United States of America is: $96,500 - $144,700. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. Compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s qualifications, location where the role is to be performed, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

At Illumina, we strive to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace by cultivating an environment in which everyone contributes to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always been rooted in openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative views and perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and demonstrate our collective commitment to diversity and inclusion in the communities we live and work. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact accommodations@illumina.com. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.