Consumer Goods, Manufacturing, Retail

Prototyping Engineer, Automation & Hardware

Oakland, CAOnsiteFull Time$75,000–$110,000 /yrPosted 10 days ago

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Required skills

prototypes
test rigs
bioreactor technology
benchtop setups
pilot reactors
control panel
skid
sensor
mechanical assembly
sanitary fittings

Nice to have

Industrial automation
CODESYS
Siemens
SCADA
HMI tools
Ignition

Role summary

We are seeking an early-career Prototyping Engineer to join our R&D team, focusing on making physical systems work for new bioreactor technology. You will be responsible for building, wiring, and modifying prototypes and test rigs, including mechanical assembly, control systems programming (PLCs, microcontrollers), and troubleshooting equipment. This role involves hands-on work with industrial fermentation equipment, running experiments, documenting builds, and ensuring lab and pilot systems are operational. A degree in a relevant engineering field or equivalent hands-on experience is preferred, along with a strong safety consciousness and a desire to learn bioprocess hardware.

About the Role

We’re looking for someone early in their career who likes making physical systems work. You’ll build, wire and modify the prototypes and test rigs our R&D team uses to develop new bioreactor technology, from benchtop setups to pilot reactors. One day that’s wiring a control panel; the next it’s plumbing a skid or chasing down why a sensor drifts. You’ll work alongside our engineers and learn how industrial fermentation equipment is designed, built and run.

Responsibilities

Build and modify prototypes, test rigs and bioreactor systems: mechanical assembly, sanitary fittings and tubing, pumps, valves, heaters and gas lines.

Wire and program small control systems: PLCs and microcontrollers, motor drivers, sensors (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, pressure, flow) and mass flow controllers.

Run experiments, keep clean data and build records.

Troubleshoot equipment and fix it.

Document what you build: wiring diagrams, parts lists and procedures.

Help commission new equipment, and keep our lab and pilot systems running.

Qualifications

Have built physical things that work, at school, at a job or on your own.

Can wire and troubleshoot basic electrical and control systems, and have programmed a PLC, an Arduino, a Raspberry Pi or similar.

Are handy with tools, and ideally have done some machining or fabrication.

Have worked around bioreactors, fermenters or other lab or process equipment, in a lab, a brewery, a food or biotech plant, or similar.

Take safety seriously around electricity, pressure, steam, compressed gases and chemicals.

Have a degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical or biological engineering, mechatronics, or equivalent hands-on experience.

You don’t need all of these. If you’ve built real things and want to learn bioprocess hardware, apply.

Preferred Skills

Industrial automation: CODESYS, Siemens, or SCADA and HMI tools such as Ignition

Sanitary process hardware: tri-clamp fittings, diaphragm valves, cleaning in place

Building or running fermentation or cell culture equipment

Benefits

At Biosphere, our goal is to empower talented individuals who are driven by the desire to work on tackling society's biggest challenges. To that end, we take pride in striving to be an equal opportunity employer with a healthy work culture, creating an environment where high performers can thrive. We currently offer the following benefits:

Competitive compensation through a mix of salary and equity.

Unlimited paid vacation and sick/leave days + public holidays.

Comprehensive health insurance for employees and their dependents, including dental and vision.

Paid family leave.

Membership at Pacific Pipe Climbing gym next door.

Salary range: $75,000-$110,000 per year.

Biosphere is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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