Principal Systems Architect - Instruments

Cytek Biosciences Inc•Bellevue, WA

8d•$176,000 - $220,000

About The Position

Cytek Biosciences is seeking an experienced Principal System Architect - Instrument to define and guide the architecture of next-generation flow cytometry platforms. This role is responsible for translating customer, application, and business needs into robust instrument designs, with particular focus on subsystem architecture, system reliability, and cross-functional execution with global teams and suppliers, including partners in China. This role is ideal for a professional who has worked with Class I, II, or III devices (including 510(k) cleared products) and thrives in environments undergoing cGMP and design control maturation.

Requirements

Ph.D. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, Physics, or related field.
8+ years of experience developing complex analytical, diagnostic, or life science instrumentation.
Demonstrated experience in system architecture and cross-functional technical leadership.
Strong understanding of fluidics systems, including flow control, microfluidics, particle transport, and contamination mitigation.
Experience with reliability engineering methods such as FMEA, fault tree analysis, root cause analysis, and reliability growth.
Strong troubleshooting skills and a bias toward root cause resolution and preventive action.
Direct experience with Class I, II, or III medical devices, including 510(k) cleared products
Experience operating in or helping build a cGMP-compliant environment
Ability to translate customer and product needs into clear engineering requirements and trade-offs.
Strong communicator who can teach, coach, and influence without formal authority
Hands-on problem solver who enjoys working on the production floor as well as in documentation systems
Ability to travel internationally (up to 20%) to support global manufacturing and cross-site collaboration

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with flow cytometer, fluidic subsystems, or closely related technologies such as hematology analyzers, cell sorters, or microfluidic diagnostic systems.
Experience in designing for high reliability, field performance, and serviceability in regulated instruments.
Familiarity with optical detection systems, fluorescence, and signal acquisition.
Professional working proficiency in Mandarin Chinese
Hands-on experience coordinating with China- and APAC-based engineering and operations teams.
Experience working with suppliers, contract manufacturers, or development partners in China.
Experience in regulated environments such as ISO 13485 and FDA design controls.
Proficiency with modeling, simulation, or data analysis tools such as CFD, MATLAB, or Python.

Responsibilities

Own the end-to-end system architecture for flow cytometry instruments, ensuring strong integration of fluidics, optics, electronics, software, and serviceability requirements.
Define system requirements, interface specifications, and performance budgets to balance performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and scalability.
Lead architecture decisions for fluidics subsystems, including sample handling, sheath flow, flow cell design, clog resistance, and contamination control.
Drive reliability engineering activities, including failure mode analysis, reliability risk assessment, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and long-term robustness improvements.
Establish and track system-level reliability goals such as uptime, MTBF, failure rates, maintenance intervals, and field performance metrics.
Collaborate closely with R&D, quality, manufacturing, service, and NPI teams to ensure design choices support product reliability and lifecycle performance.
Work directly with internal teams and suppliers in China to align on technical requirements, resolve issues, support qualification, and drive on-time execution.
Participate in supplier development, design reviews, risk mitigation, and technical issue resolution with global and China-based partners.
Guide subsystem teams through integration, verification, and validation activities, ensuring robust performance under real-world use conditions.
Support design for manufacturability, serviceability, and supply chain resilience.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship across engineering teams.