Senior Engineer, Microfluidics & Applications

Vivodyne • San Francisco, CA

19h • $180,000 - $197,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Vivodyne creates human data before clinical trials. We accelerate the successful discovery, design, and development of human therapeutics by testing on large, lab-grown human organ tissues at massive scale, driving technological advancement at the convergence of novel biology, robotics, and AI. We identify and validate new therapeutic targets and de-risk new therapeutic assets by producing clinically translatable multi-omic data from our proprietary, physiologically-realistic human organ tissues at unprecedented scale, speed, and quality. This enables us to produce more human data than all clinical trials in the U.S. combined. We’re financially backed by some of the most selective and successful venture funds, and we have already partnered with a majority of the top 10 multinational pharmaceutical companies to discover and develop better, safer drugs and dramatically reduce the burden of animal testing.

Our robotics systems in San Francisco form the cornerstone of Vivodyne's "human tissue on-a-chip" platform, enabling fully automated, massively scaled experimentation. We integrate advanced robotics hardware (including Kuka arms), precision microfluidics, sophisticated software controls, and biological applications to handle and analyze 3D human tissue constructs. Our team works at the intersection of mechanical, biological, and computer engineering, driving next-generation automation in biotech.

The microfluidic device is where Vivodyne's biology and robotics meet. As a Senior Engineer on the Microfluidics & Applications team, you will fabricate and assemble those devices, run the quality control that keeps them reproducible, and execute the biological workflows that prove they work on our automated platform.

This is a hands-on role that spans two disciplines that are usually separated. On the manufacturing side, you will execute high-precision fabrication and assembly processes for PDMS and thermoplastic microfluidic devices, and contribute to the design and improvement of those processes and the quality systems around them. On the applications side, you will run cell culture, perfusion, and assay workflows on the devices you make, so that manufacturing decisions are validated against biological function rather than in isolation.

You will work day-to-day with hardware and software engineers, tissue biologists, and automation specialists, and you will own your assigned processes and experiments end to end. Senior staff set the platform architecture and roadmap; you are expected to execute reliably within it, surface problems early with data, and propose improvements grounded in what you observe on the bench.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field; M.S. is a plus.
• 3–5 years of relevant industry experience in precision manufacturing of microfluidic, semiconductor, or cartridge-based products, or in biological lab automation, with meaningful exposure to the other.
• Hands-on experience fabricating microfluidic devices (PDMS, thermoplastics, or glass), including soft lithography and device assembly/bonding; exposure to CNC micromachining, laser ablation, or injection molding is a plus.
• Experience working in a cleanroom or cleanroom-like laboratory or manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and standard biological lab equipment.
• Familiarity with liquid handlers, perfusion systems, or other precision automation.
• Working proficiency in Python or a similar language for scripting, data acquisition, and analysis.
• Experience tracking in-process measurements and QC metrics for quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and quantitative skills; ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including SOPs, process documents, and quality reports.

Nice To Haves

• M.S. degree
• Exposure to CNC micromachining, laser ablation, or injection molding

Responsibilities

• Execute precise manufacturing processes to produce high-quality microfluidic devices, adhering to established protocols and quality standards.
• Contribute to the design, validation, and documentation of new and revised fabrication processes, including soft lithography, molding, bonding, and assembly of PDMS, thermoplastic, or glass-based devices.
• Operate and maintain high-precision fabrication and metrology equipment in a cleanroom or cleanroom-like environment.
• Perform in-process measurements and analyze them to classify and reduce manufacturing error; help implement automated measurement and test fixtures.
• Execute quality control procedures and acceptance testing; participate in developing new QC methods and troubleshooting workflows.
• Track and document QC metrics, irregularities, and deviations; investigate root causes and drive fixes to closure.
• Manage inventory of device components, consumables, and finished goods throughout the manufacturing process.
• Identify opportunities to make fabrication faster, simpler, and more precise, and carry approved improvements through implementation.
• Execute biological workflows on the devices you manufacture, including mammalian cell culture, microfluidic cell seeding and manipulation, perfusion, and assays.
• Help translate biologists' SOPs into automation-compatible protocols; run validation experiments to confirm that manufacturing changes do not compromise biological performance.
• Use automation hardware and scripting (Python preferred) to control fluid flow, run perfusion systems, and integrate device handling on the robotic platform.
• Support bring-up and internal release of new high-throughput capabilities alongside senior engineers and biologists.
• Collect, analyze, and clearly report data on manufacturing and biological performance; form and test hypotheses about sources of variability.
• Author and maintain SOPs, process documents, and quality reports; keep documentation current as processes change.
• Communicate status, risks, and results clearly to your team and stakeholders in meetings, Slack, and written formats.
• Share what you learn; help onboard and train technicians and newer engineers on fabrication, cleanroom practice, and device handling.

Benefits

• High-Impact Mission — Play a direct role in transforming drug discovery through advanced robotics, automation, and human tissue models.
• Multi-Disciplinary Exposure — Work alongside experts in robotics, AI, biology, and microfluidics in a truly collaborative setting.
• Growth Opportunities — A fast-growing startup with real ownership from day one and a clear path to Staff and Principal roles.
• Innovative Culture — A team that prioritizes continuous learning, rigorous engineering and scientific standards, and bold problem-solving.

What This Job Offers

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