Equipment Engineer 2

Illumina•San Diego, CA

19h

About The Position

The Equipment Engineer 2 is responsible for sustaining, troubleshooting, improving the reliability of, and continuously improving automated manufacturing equipment used in Flow Cell Manufacturing. The role works closely with Manufacturing Operations, Engineering, and partners such as Quality, Validation, Facilities, and R&D. It supports assigned equipment systems and subsystems and contributes to improvements in safety, quality, yield, reliability, and manufacturing efficiency. This is a hands-on engineering role that balances manufacturing-floor support with equipment analysis, technical documentation, and continuous improvement. The engineer plans and executes work within assigned areas, with appropriate technical oversight, and may own equipment subsystems or components of larger manufacturing systems. The role also develops technical documentation, analyzes equipment performance, supports training and knowledge-sharing, and communicates technical 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.
At least 2 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 measurement, inspection, and troubleshooting tools such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and gauges.
Understanding of safe work practices for mechanical, electrical, laboratory, manufacturing, automation, laser, or chemical systems.
Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and structured problem-solving skills, including the ability to independently diagnose and resolve equipment-related 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.

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, owning assigned equipment subsystems or components 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.
Support investigations with equipment-specific analysis, 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

Access to genomics sequencing.
Family planning benefits.
Health insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Retirement benefits.
Paid time off.
Variable cash program (bonus or commission) eligibility.
Equity may be included for eligible roles.
Employee Resource Groups offering career development experiences, cultural awareness, and social responsibility engagement opportunities.