MT
Product Engineer - Diagnostic Cartridges & Fluidics
Accepting applicationsMix Talent · San Diego, CA
Full-Time Mid_senior Pythonaiaterfsic
Posted
21 May
Category
Test
Experience
Mid_senior
Country
United States
We are seeking a hands-on product engineer to develop a portable molecular detection platform for rapid identification of microbes in field environments.
This role sits at the intersection of mechanical engineering, fluidic consumables design, and assay-driven systems development.
What You’ll Do
Own the design, iteration, and hardening of sealed disposable cartridge systems, with direct responsibility for identifying and mitigating adhesive leakage and other seal failure modes
Work closely with laboratory scientists developing microbial DNA detection assays to translate assay requirements into reliable fluidic and mechanical cartridge architectures
Troubleshoot and improve fluidic pathways, bonding interfaces, and sealing strategies across cartridge and sample prep subsystems
Design and evaluate adhesive bonds, thermal/ultrasonic welds, compression seals, and multi-material interfaces
Develop and run leak, burst pressure, environmental, and handling robustness tests for cartridge validation
Work hands-on in a lab/maker environment to machine, fixture, assemble, and iterate physical systems
Drive design-for-manufacturing (DFM)and transition cartridge builds from prototype to scalable production processes
Collaborate across engineering, biology, and software teams to ensure system-level performance aligns with assay chemistry and workflow needs
Document design changes, test results, build procedures, and manufacturing requirements for transfer to production
What We’re Looking For
The ideal engineer will have worked on sealed fluidic or consumable systems, designing and iterating sealed consumable systems, diagnostic cartridges, or fluidic devices.
Proven ability to diagnose and resolve leakage, bond failure, or sealing reliability issues
Strong hands-on prototyping skills (machining, assembly, fixturing, lab testing)
Deep understanding of adhesive bonding systems and failure modes, sealing strategies (compression, thermal, ultrasonic, over molded, gasket-based), fluidic interface design and tolerance-driven leak paths
Experience transitioning hardware from early prototype to validated, manufacturable design
Strong documentation skills for experimental builds, test protocols, and manufacturing transfer
Additional Experience (Preferred)
Experience with diagnostic, IVD, or point-of-care consumables
Familiarity with electronics or embedded hardware integration (e.g., PCB-level interfaces, Python-based test/control systems)
This is a highly hands-on product engineering role in a rapid prototyping environment focused on improving mechanical and fluidic performance of a diagnostic cartridge system, with particular emphasis on sealing integrity and reliability.
The long-term objective is scaling from small-batch builds to high-volume manufacturing over the next 2–3 years (approximately 100–200 base systems and ultimately ~300,000 consumables), transitioning prototypes into manufacturable diagnostic products and expanding into veterinary and human health applications.
This role requires close collaboration with laboratory scientists developing rapid microbial DNA detection assays, translating assay workflows into stable and manufacturable fluidic and mechanical cartridge designs.
This is a 6-month contract role with potential conversion to full-time. Due to requirements associated with U.S. government funding and applicable regulations, employment is limited to U.S. citizens. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
Job Identifier: #9847
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This role sits at the intersection of mechanical engineering, fluidic consumables design, and assay-driven systems development.
What You’ll Do
Own the design, iteration, and hardening of sealed disposable cartridge systems, with direct responsibility for identifying and mitigating adhesive leakage and other seal failure modes
Work closely with laboratory scientists developing microbial DNA detection assays to translate assay requirements into reliable fluidic and mechanical cartridge architectures
Troubleshoot and improve fluidic pathways, bonding interfaces, and sealing strategies across cartridge and sample prep subsystems
Design and evaluate adhesive bonds, thermal/ultrasonic welds, compression seals, and multi-material interfaces
Develop and run leak, burst pressure, environmental, and handling robustness tests for cartridge validation
Work hands-on in a lab/maker environment to machine, fixture, assemble, and iterate physical systems
Drive design-for-manufacturing (DFM)and transition cartridge builds from prototype to scalable production processes
Collaborate across engineering, biology, and software teams to ensure system-level performance aligns with assay chemistry and workflow needs
Document design changes, test results, build procedures, and manufacturing requirements for transfer to production
What We’re Looking For
The ideal engineer will have worked on sealed fluidic or consumable systems, designing and iterating sealed consumable systems, diagnostic cartridges, or fluidic devices.
Proven ability to diagnose and resolve leakage, bond failure, or sealing reliability issues
Strong hands-on prototyping skills (machining, assembly, fixturing, lab testing)
Deep understanding of adhesive bonding systems and failure modes, sealing strategies (compression, thermal, ultrasonic, over molded, gasket-based), fluidic interface design and tolerance-driven leak paths
Experience transitioning hardware from early prototype to validated, manufacturable design
Strong documentation skills for experimental builds, test protocols, and manufacturing transfer
Additional Experience (Preferred)
Experience with diagnostic, IVD, or point-of-care consumables
Familiarity with electronics or embedded hardware integration (e.g., PCB-level interfaces, Python-based test/control systems)
This is a highly hands-on product engineering role in a rapid prototyping environment focused on improving mechanical and fluidic performance of a diagnostic cartridge system, with particular emphasis on sealing integrity and reliability.
The long-term objective is scaling from small-batch builds to high-volume manufacturing over the next 2–3 years (approximately 100–200 base systems and ultimately ~300,000 consumables), transitioning prototypes into manufacturable diagnostic products and expanding into veterinary and human health applications.
This role requires close collaboration with laboratory scientists developing rapid microbial DNA detection assays, translating assay workflows into stable and manufacturable fluidic and mechanical cartridge designs.
This is a 6-month contract role with potential conversion to full-time. Due to requirements associated with U.S. government funding and applicable regulations, employment is limited to U.S. citizens. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
Job Identifier: #9847
Show more Show less