Senior R&D Hardware Engineering Technician

Pattern Bioscience•Austin, TX

About The Position

Pattern Bioscience is seeking a Senior R&D Hardware Engineering Technician to support the assembly, repair, maintenance, and upgrading of medical diagnostic devices. The role joins the Hardware team at a mission-driven company developing technology to identify infection-causing bacteria and predict effective treatments. The technician will support hardware engineering with design completion, testing, part fabrication, and electromechanical device assembly. The role involves working with mechanical systems that include electrical components, executing tests with engineering guidance, diagnosing system-level issues, and documenting work in a regulated environment. It also supports instrument builds, service depot operations, and maintenance of internal and customer instruments.

Requirements

Associate's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering Technology or a similar field, or an equivalent technical certificate or military training.
Minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience with complex electromechanical systems in R&D, manufacturing, or service.
Experience executing test protocols and documenting results.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
Strong teamwork and open communication, including sharing knowledge and helping teammates succeed.
Ability to work independently from a test plan or work instruction and raise issues and conflicts early.
Systematic, evidence-based troubleshooting skills.
Ability to follow procedures, document work completely, and recognize when issues need escalation.
Ability to interpret assembly drawings, CAD models, cable drawings, electrical schematics, and Bills of Materials.
High proficiency using hand and bench tools, multimeters, oscilloscopes, soldering and de-soldering equipment, and calipers.
Self-starter attitude and desire to build products that improve patient outcomes.

Nice To Haves

Strong software skills, including Linux command line, Python or other scripting for test automation and data analysis, and deploying instrument software/firmware.
Experience building or servicing instruments in a regulated medical device environment, including ISO 13485 or FDA QMSR.
Depot repair, field service, or production build experience.
Experience with benchtop biotech or life science instruments.
IPC certification (IPC-A-610 / J-STD-001) or machine shop experience.
A bachelor's degree in engineering may be considered in place of years of experience.
Experience with work-tracking tools such as Azure DevOps or Jira.

Responsibilities

Execute engineering and verification test programs with engineering guidance, including setup, execution, data collection and analysis, and reporting.
Own assembly, disassembly, and upgrades of test fixtures, prototypes, and commercial instruments.
Troubleshoot system-level issues across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software, partnering with engineers on root cause and resolution.
Contribute to test methods, work instructions, and standard operating procedures.
Build or rework printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) and wire harnesses.
Build, test, and release instruments and modules according to work instructions, and identify improvements to build and test processes.
Support the instrument service depot by receiving, evaluating, repairing, refurbishing, and returning instruments, and documenting findings to support failure trending.
Perform maintenance, hardware upgrades, and software/firmware updates on internal and customer instrument fleets.
Perform incoming inspection of components and PCBAs.
Maintain complete, accurate records in a regulated environment and help manage lab safety, inventory, and calibration.