Staff Mechanical Engineer, Consumables

10x Genomics•Pleasanton, CA

1d•$179,300 - $242,500

About The Position

This role is for a Staff Mechanical Engineer focused on Consumables at 10x Genomics. The company's mission is to accelerate the mastery of biology to advance human health. The engineer will be responsible for leading the design and development of complex biotech consumables, focusing on injection molding, over-molding, LSR, and assembly techniques. This role involves end-to-end project ownership from concept to high-volume manufacturing, championing Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), and managing external vendor relationships. The position also requires innovation, IP generation, root cause analysis of plastic components, and technical mentorship of junior engineers. The engineer will act as the mechanical representative in cross-functional teams, ensuring hardware meets scientific requirements.

Requirements

BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering.
10+ years of experience in mechanical design, with at least 5 years specifically in medical devices or biotech consumables.
Deep knowledge of thermoplastic resins (COC, COP, PC, PP), elastomers (TPE/TPU), and the nuances of high-volume injection molding.
Experience with CAD (SolidWorks/Creo), PDM systems, and simulation suites.
Familiarity with Risk Management (ISO 14971), FMEA, and Gage R&R.

Responsibilities

Lead the architecture and design of complex biotech consumables, focusing on Injection Molded (IM) plastics, over-molding, LSR and assembly techniques (ultrasonic welding, laser bonding).
Drive the development of fluidic and microfluidic systems by consulting with fluidic SMEs, ensuring seamless integration between consumable cartridges and permanent instrument hardware.
Utilize FEA, tolerance analysis, and CFD to predict part behavior and ensure robust performance under laboratory operating conditions.
Design for compliance with ISO 13485, FDA 21 CFR Part 820 as well as RUO. Contribute to the creation of Design History Files (DHF).
Take full ownership of critical subsystems from "napkin sketch" through high-volume manufacturing (HVM).
Champion Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), working closely with toolmakers and CMOs to optimize tool designs and strategies.
Act as the primary technical point of contact for external molding partners and material suppliers, ensuring quality and performance standards are met.
Identify and pursue patentable innovations in fluid handling, sealing technologies, and consumable-to-instrument interfaces.
Lead complex failure analysis (FEA, SEM, etc.) for plastic components, identifying issues like creep, stress cracking, or biocompatibility failures and implementing permanent corrective actions.
Directly mentor junior Engineers, fostering a culture of rigorous engineering discipline and creative problem-solving.
Serve as the "mechanical voice" in rooms full of Biologists, Chemists, and Software Engineers to ensure the hardware meets the underlying science.