Equipment Engineer 2

Illumina • San Diego, CA

2d • $82,500 - $123,700

About The Position

The Equipment Engineer 2 sustains, troubleshoots, improves, and supports the reliability of automated manufacturing equipment used in Flow Cell Manufacturing. The role works closely with Manufacturing Operations, Engineering, Quality, Validation, Facilities, R&D, and other partners to support assigned equipment systems and subsystems and improve safety, quality, yield, reliability, and manufacturing efficiency.

This hands-on engineering position combines manufacturing-floor support with equipment analysis, technical documentation, and continuous improvement. Work includes troubleshooting equipment, supporting production, investigating failures, implementing improvements, planning and executing assigned activities with appropriate technical oversight, and owning equipment subsystems or components of larger systems. The engineer also analyzes equipment performance, develops documentation, supports training and knowledge sharing, and communicates findings, project updates, and recommendations through reports and presentations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline, and 2 or more years of relevant experience.
• Strong mechanical and electrical/electronics troubleshooting skills demonstrated through experience supporting automated equipment and manufacturing systems.
• Working knowledge of automated manufacturing systems, including PLCs, industrial controls, robotics, machine vision, motion control, servo systems, instrumentation, sensors, industrial communications, vacuum systems, chillers, pneumatic systems, and HMI/SCADA platforms.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, pneumatic diagrams, PLC logic, and technical documentation.
• Experience using common measurement, inspection, and troubleshooting tools, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, and gauges.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and structured problem-solving skills, including the ability to independently diagnose and resolve equipment issues within assigned areas.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including communicating technical observations, findings, and project updates to manufacturing and engineering teams.
• Ability to plan and prioritize assigned activities with minimal guidance while balancing manufacturing support, equipment sustainment, reliability improvements, documentation, and project commitments.
• Ability to provide technical recommendations based on equipment performance, analysis, and operational data.
• Comfort balancing hands-on equipment support with analysis, documentation, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of safe work practices when working with mechanical, electrical, laboratory, manufacturing, automation, laser, or chemical systems.

Nice To Haves

• Experience analyzing equipment or process data to support troubleshooting, SPC, trend analysis, and reliability improvements; familiarity with SQL, Python, Power BI, JMP, Minitab, or similar analytical tools.
• Experience supporting automated manufacturing equipment in semiconductor, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, GMP-regulated manufacturing, or other highly automated production environments.
• Experience with industrial automation and equipment-support technologies, including PLCs, robotics, machine vision, motion control, HMI/SCADA platforms, industrial communication protocols such as EtherCAT or EtherNet/IP, vacuum systems, chillers, pneumatic systems, and MMS/CMMS.
• Familiarity with Beckhoff PLCs, Cognex In-Sight vision systems, or similar manufacturing automation technologies.
• Experience supporting equipment installation, integration, qualification, reliability initiatives, continuous improvement projects, supplier interactions, and manufacturing support activities.

Responsibilities

• Support manufacturing operations through equipment troubleshooting, sustainment, technical problem solving, and engineering improvements; own assigned equipment subsystems or components of larger manufacturing systems with appropriate oversight.
• Develop and improve preventive maintenance, calibration, repair, and equipment reliability programs, including procedures, work instructions, technical documentation, and training materials.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, controls, automation, robotics, and process-related issues using structured problem-solving and root cause analysis; engage senior engineers, management, or subject matter experts for particularly complex challenges.
• Support and troubleshoot automated manufacturing equipment, including industrial controls, robotics, machine vision, motion control, and related automation technologies.
• Use electrical schematics and diagnostic tools to troubleshoot electrical control systems, instrumentation, automation systems, and equipment failures.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret equipment performance data, maintenance records, and MMS information to identify failure trends, evaluate equipment health, and improve reliability, availability, and uptime.
• Provide equipment-specific analysis for investigations, contribute to root cause determination, and implement corrective actions within assigned equipment areas.
• Support equipment installation, integration, qualification, and readiness activities.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders on reliability initiatives and component, spare-parts, or vendor selections within assigned areas.

Benefits

• Variable cash program (bonus or commission)
• Equity for eligible roles
• Access to genomics sequencing
• Family planning benefits
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Retirement benefits
• Paid time off
• Employee Resource Groups offering career development experiences, cultural awareness, and opportunities to engage in social responsibility

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level